KitchenAid dishwasher leaking from bottom

Why is my KitchenAid dishwasher leaking from the bottom?

When you discover water leaking from the bottom of your KitchenAid dishwasher, you’ll need to act quickly to stop the leak and clean up the water to prevent damage to kitchen cabinets and flooring.

Unplug the dishwasher or shut off the house circuit breaker to disconnect electrical power.

Shut off the water supply cut-off valve for the dishwasher in case the water supply line or inlet water valve is leaking.

How to find a KitchenAid dishwasher leak

When your KitchenAid dishwasher leaks from the bottom, the problem may be with a damaged door seal, a cracked or clogged spray arm or components under the dishwasher.

This safe DIY video shows you how to access all of those areas, find the source of the leak and fix it:

Smart leak detection starts with examining the most common causes and easiest places to check for the cause of the leak.

Examine the dishwasher door seal

First, examine the dishwasher door seal for wear and damage.

Even though you see water leaking from the bottom of the dishwasher, a leaky door seal will allow water to seep through that seal and fall down to the bottom of the door.

Replace the door seal if you find it worn or damaged.

Here’s a video that shows how to replace the dishwasher door seal:

If you need to have a technician replace the door seal for you, schedule dishwasher repair service.

Inspect dishwasher spray arms

The leak could be caused by a blocked, clogged or cracked spray arm. A loose feed tube for the upper spray arm could also cause the leak. These problems can create a wave action inside the tub. The wave action will slosh water over the front lip of the tub and leak out the bottom of the door.

First open the dishwasher door and check that no dishes are blocking the spray arm so it can’t rotate fully. Load dishes properly so they won’t block spray arm rotation and cause leaks.

Check the spray arm for clogs and cracks or damage that prevent proper spray arm rotation. Clear clogs from spray arm hole using a bamboo skewer. Replace the spray arm if it’s cracked or damaged.

If the spray arm can rotate fully and isn’t cracked, check the spray arm feed tube connection on the pump’s water outlet opening.

Spray at a loose connection can create extreme wave action and a water leak.

To check the connection, open the dishwasher door and remove the bottom dishrack. Release and remove the bottom spray arm.

Reconnect the feed tube connection if you find it loose or disconnected.

Tighten circulation pump cover screws if you find them loose

Some KitchenAid dishwasher pumps have an outlet that screws on top of the pump. If you have this type of dishwasher, make sure those screws are tight. The screws in this type of pump can work loose over time. When the screws get loose, water shoots through the side of the pump outlet, creating wave action that can cause a leak.

Tighten the pump cover screws if you find them loose.

Check the water supply line and drain system

Follow these steps to check to check connections and components under the tub for leaks:

1. Disconnect electrical power from the dishwasher by unplugging the power cord or shutting off the house circuit breaker for the dishwasher.
2. Take off the bottom front service panel and toe panel by removing the mounting screws and then pulling off both panels so you can see under the tub.
3. Check the water supply line connection at the front of the dishwasher. Tighten the water line connection if it leaks. If tightening the connection doesn’t fix the leak, shut off the water supply and place a towel under the water supply line connection. Disconnect the supply line and replace the connection seal.
4. Check the drain hose connection to the drain pump for drips or other evidence of leaking such as a water trail or water stains. Reconnect the drain line if it’s loose.
5. Use a flashlight (or your cell phone light) to look under the dishwasher for evidence of leaks. You may see the water dripping or a water trail indicating the location of the leak. If you find the source of the leak, replace the leaking seal or component.

If you can’t find the source of the leak on your own, schedule dishwasher repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to find and fix the leak.

What to expect when you experience a KitchenAid dishwasher leaking from bottom issue

How is the leaking from bottom problem fixed?

Correcting most leaking from bottom problems usually involves replacing the pump and motor assembly, water valve or drain hose. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher that is leaking from bottom

When the dishwasher is leaking from bottom it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.

What to look out for with a dishwasher leaking from bottom diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

Troubleshooting a Kitchen Aid Dishwasher Leaking from the Bottom

Leaks from the bottom of a Kitchen Aid dishwasher often come from the water seal around the pump and motor assembly. The seal surrounding the circulation pump wears out over time and starts leaking. Having a Sears Home Services technician replace that pump and motor assembly seal often fixes a Kitchen Aid dishwasher leaking from the bottom.

Another common cause of a Kitchen Aid dishwasher leaking from the bottom is a leak through the diverter assembly. The diverter assembly routes spray water through the upper spray arm assembly during the washer cycle. A water seal in that device can develop a leak at the bottom of the dishwasher.

Water can also leak through the water seals around the heating element mounting nuts. Replacing the heating element will typically fix that type of leak. The new heating element will include new water seals.

Several other components such as the drain pump, overfill float stand pipe or the water supply line connection can also cause your Kitchen Aid dishwasher to leak from the bottom. When you can’t find and fix a dishwasher leak on your own, schedule dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician fix the problem.

Leaks from the bottom of a KitchenAid dishwasher can indicate sump or pump seal issues. Persistent drips harm floors and raise water bills. Rather than tolerating soggy kitchen floors, schedule dishwasher service.