If your KitchenAid dishwasher is leaking water, start with the most common cause: a water inlet valve stuck open, which can keep filling the tub until the dishwasher leaks or overflows. Next, check the center wash arm assembly, lower wash arm, and upper wash arm for cracks or loose wash arm support screws, since a bad spray pattern can push water toward the door seal and cause a dishwasher leaking from door problem or water on the floor. A worn or damaged door seal is another highly likely cause, especially if the gasket has tears, gaps, or poor contact around the tub. If the seal looks good, inspect the door hinge because a bent hinge can keep the door from closing evenly. The detergent dispenser can also leak if its seal or O-ring has worn out, letting water escape between the door panels. Whether your KitchenAid dishwasher is leaking underneath, leaking on floor, or leaking from the door area, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact water inlet valve, wash arm, wash arm support, door seal, door hinge, or detergent dispenser that fits your dishwasher.
01 - KitchenAid Dishwasher Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve opens to allow water to enter the dishwasher. If the water inlet valve is stuck open, the dishwasher will continue to fill with water until the dishwasher leaks or overflows. If the water inlet valve is at fault, replace it. Water inlet valves are not repairable—if the valve is defective, you must replace it.
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02 - KitchenAid Dishwasher Center Wash Arm Assembly
If the wash arm is cracked, it can allow a jet of water to spray toward the door seal, causing a leak. Remove the wash arm and inspect it for cracks. If the wash arm is cracked, replace it. Do not attempt to seal the crack with glue—the glue will break down in the dishwasher. If the wash arm is intact, make sure the screws in the wash arm support are tight. If the wash arm support is loose, water can spray out between the wash arm support and the lower pump housing, causing waves. These waves can cause water to leak out of the bottom of the door.
03 - KitchenAid Dishwasher Lower Wash Arm Assembly
If the wash arm is cracked, it can force water to spray directly toward the lower part of the dishwasher door. The water can then be forced under the door and onto the floor, causing a leak. Remove the wash arm and inspect it for cracks. If the wash arm is cracked, replace it. Do not attempt to seal the crack with glue—the glue will break down in the dishwasher. If the wash arm is intact, make sure the screws in the wash arm support are tight. If the wash arm support is loose, water can spray out between the wash arm support and the lower pump housing, causing waves. These waves can cause water to leak out of the bottom of... the door.
04 - KitchenAid Dishwasher Upper Wash Arm Assembly
If the upper wash arm is cracked, it can force water to spray directly toward the dishwasher door seal, causing a leak. Remove the wash arm and inspect it for cracks. If the wash arm is cracked, replace it. Do not attempt to seal the crack with glue—the glue will break down in the dishwasher. If the wash arm is intact, make sure the screws in the wash arm support are tight. If the wash arm support is loose, water can spray out between the wash arm support and the lower pump housing, causing waves. These waves can cause water to leak out of the bottom of the door.
Look for tears, gaps or cuts in the seal that could cause a dishwasher door leak. To determine if the door seal is making good contact, try closing the dishwasher door on a dollar bill all the way around the door. If the dollar bill does not stick, there is a gap in the seal. If the door seal has any gaps or leaks, replace it. If the door seal is working properly but the dishwasher is still leaking, check the door hinges. If the hinges are bent, the door will not close properly, creating a gap between the door seal and the dishwasher. If the hinges are bent, replace them.
A dishwasher detergent dispenser releases detergent into the tank during the wash cycle. Some dispensers with a rotating cover, or a latch, have an O-ring or seal that can wear out and allow water to leak inbetween the door panels and onto the floor near the bottom of the door.