Frigidaire Dishwasher: Leaking
Quick answer: Water on the floor in front of or under the dishwasher means water is escaping the tub, the door seal, or a hose connection during the wash or drain.
- Turn off power at the breaker before pulling the dishwasher out or working under it, since water and live wiring may be in contact.
- Shut the water supply valve under the sink before loosening any hose fitting.
- Dry the floor and check the cabinet base for soft or swollen wood, which can hide mold.
Why is my dishwasher leaking?
Water on the floor in front of or under the dishwasher means water is escaping the tub, the door seal, or a hose connection during the wash or drain. The usual causes, from most to least likely, are a worn or dirty door gasket, a damaged lower door seal, overfilling caused by a stuck float or a leaking inlet valve, a cracked spray arm spraying at the door, loose drain or fill hose connections, and worn pump or sump seals underneath.
Our fitment data covers 1,967 Frigidaire dishwasher models and 1,124 Frigidaire dishwasher parts, so the part links below are filtered to this brand; always confirm your model number before ordering.
Most Likely Causes, in Order
1. Door gasket
The rubber gasket around the tub opening compresses against the door to hold water in. Food buildup, hardening, tears, or a section pulled out of its channel let water spray past the door edge.
How to check: Open the door and run a finger along the gasket on the sides and top of the tub. Look for cracks, flattened areas, hard shiny spots, or a length hanging loose. Close the door on a strip of paper at several points; if it slides out with no resistance, the gasket is not sealing there.
Fix: Clean the gasket with warm soapy water and press it back into its channel. Replace it if it is torn, hardened or flattened; it pulls out of the groove and the new one presses in starting from the center top. (Difficulty: Easy)
Matching Frigidaire parts:
- Door Seal Gasket - Model 33 PS11752100 — $45.99 · 1 models
- Door Seal Gasket - Model 48 PS11752139 — $45.99 · 1 models
- Door Seal Gasket - Model 46 PS11752576 — $45.99 · 1 models
2. Lower door seal
A separate rubber strip along the bottom of the inner door panel deflects water back into the tub. When it wears, shifts or goes missing, water dribbles out of the bottom corners of the door during the wash.
How to check: Open the door fully and look at the bottom edge of the inner panel for a rubber lip or blade. Check that it is present, soft and seated along its full length. Water stains or mineral trails on the toe kick right below the door point to this seal.
Fix: Replace the lower door seal; it usually slides into a channel or is held by a few screws behind the door panel. (Difficulty: Moderate)
No Frigidaire part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
3. Float switch or water inlet valve
The float rises with the water level and trips a switch that closes the inlet valve. If the float sticks down with debris or the valve fails to close, the tub overfills and water pours out the door vents or gasket.
How to check: Open the door mid-fill and note the water level; it should stay below the door lip and the heating element. Lift the plastic float at the front of the tub floor and listen for a click; it should move up and down freely. If water keeps trickling in with the dishwasher off, the inlet valve is not closing.
Fix: Clean under the float so it moves freely and replace the float switch if it fails to click. Replace the inlet valve if it drips or leaks when unpowered. (Difficulty: Moderate)
No Frigidaire part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
4. Spray arm
A cracked spray arm or a split seam sends a hard jet of water sideways instead of upward. When that jet hits the door seam or vent, water forces its way past the gasket.
How to check: Remove the lower and middle spray arms and flex them gently while looking for cracks along the seam and around the hub. Check that the nozzles are clear. Reinstall and spin each arm; it should turn freely without wobbling.
Fix: Replace a cracked spray arm; it unclips or unscrews from its hub. (Difficulty: Easy)
Matching Frigidaire parts:
- Dishwasher Lower Spray Arm Support 5304518968 — $18.73 – $57.94 · 957 models
- Dishwasher Spray Arm Support and Pump Cover 807145201 — $12.18 – $29.94 · 873 models
- Dishwasher Spray Arm Nut 154252001 — $28.60 – $62.32 · 816 models
5. Drain hose and hose clamps
The drain hose is pressurized each time the pump runs. A loose clamp at the pump or sink end, a cracked hose, or a split at the corrugations lets water spray under the machine only during the drain phase.
How to check: Remove the toe kick and place paper towels under the front of the machine. Run a drain and watch for drips; wet paper only after the pump runs points to the hose or its clamps. Check the connection under the sink for drips at the same time.
Fix: Tighten or replace the clamps, or replace the drain hose if it is cracked. (Difficulty: Moderate)
No Frigidaire part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
6. Circulation pump and sump seals
The wash motor shaft passes through a seal in the sump, and the sump itself is sealed to the tub with a large gasket. As these age, water weeps out during the wash cycle and pools under the machine, often tripping the leak sensor in the base.
How to check: Pull the dishwasher out and run a wash cycle with the toe kick off. Use a flashlight to look at the underside of the sump and motor while it runs. Rust streaks or a wet trail from the motor housing point to the shaft seal; wetness all around the sump edge points to the sump gasket.
Fix: Replace the pump seal kit or the whole circulation pump and motor assembly, or reseal the sump with a new gasket. (Difficulty: Advanced)
No Frigidaire part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
Other Frigidaire parts the catalog tags for this symptom
- Dishwasher Pump O-Ring, Rear 154246901 — $31.54 – $64.26 (leaking; won't drain; won't pump)
- Dishwasher Door Seal, Lower 809006501 809006501 — $17.37 – $45.54 (leaking)
- Crosley Dishwasher Water Inlet Tubing 5304523457 — $14.25 – $29.28 (clogged; cracked; leaking)
- Dishwasher Water Inlet Valve 807047901 — $41.84 – $64.26 (no water; slow fill; won't fill)
- Dishwasher Pump Motor Kit 154844101 — $210.41 – $214.97 (leaking; won't drain; won't pump)
- Dishwasher Water Inlet Valve 807445903 — $31.45 – $52.14 (no water; slow fill; won't fill)
Popular Frigidaire dishwasher models
Confirm the model number on the rating plate before ordering. Each model page lists every compatible part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my dishwasher only leak from the front of the door?
Door-only leaks almost always come from the door gasket, the lower door seal, or a spray arm shooting water at the door. Check the gasket for food and damage first and load tall items so they do not block the arm.
Can the wrong detergent cause a leak?
Yes. Regular dish soap or too much detergent creates foam that rises above the door seal and drips out. Use only automatic dishwasher detergent in the amount recommended for your water hardness.
Is a dishwasher leak covered by the leak sensor?
Many newer dishwashers have a float in the base pan that shuts the machine off and shows an error when water collects there. That stops the flooding but the leak still has to be found and repaired.
When to Call a Professional
Call a technician if the leak comes from under the machine and you cannot find it with the toe kick off, if the sump or wash motor seals need replacing, or if the cabinet floor has been soaked and needs inspection for water damage.