How to fix a leaking washing machine

There are many reasons why your washing machine could be leaking. The majority are easy to fix but if left, a leak could lead to further damage to your washing machine.

In this article, we provide a step-by-step guide to help you diagnose what is causing your washing machine leak and how to fix the problem so you can get your appliance back up and running again.

Safety First!

Before you carry out any checks, make sure your washing machine is turned off and fully disconnected from the mains.

How to fix a leaking washing machine step-by-step

Let's get started on helping you identify what is causing your leaking washing machine. Simply follow the how-to video or the step by step guide below.

Check 1: Dispenser

The first place to check is the dispenser. First, remove the drawer so you can see inside. On the roof of the dispenser housing, there are some water jets. If these get clogged up, it can cause water to leak from the dispenser. This water can even come right around the door and make it look like you have a leak from the washing machine door itself.

What to do:

If the water jets in the drawer are dirty, give them a good clean with a brush. When you put your dispenser drawer back in, trap a piece of tissue under the drawer. If the tissue gets wet, this means that the leak is coming from the dispenser and not the door.

Check 2: Door seal

If you have checked and cleaned the dispenser but the leak is still coming from the door area of your washing machine, it is likely to be the inside door seal. The lip of the door seal can become damaged due to taking heavy washing in and out of the machine or from being torn by zips or sharp items on clothing. Check the outer lip of the door seal for any rips or tears.

If your leak is coming from the underneath of the machine at the front, this may be due to the door seal itself being damaged. Inspect the whole door seal by pulling back the door bellows and checking for any tears or holes.

What to do:

If your notice any damage, you will need to replace your door seal. We have how-to videos on how to do this for a range of washing machine makes.

Check 3: Filter

If your dispenser and door seal are clean and damage-free but you're still experiencing a leak, the next thing to check is the filter. First, remove the filter cover and then remove the filter itself. Be aware that there could be water inside the filter so be sure to put a towel or a shallow tray down in front of your machine to catch any water coming out. There should be no more than a cup's worth.

Check whether the seal on the filter has become contaminated with grit or fine particles.

What to do:

Give the filter a good clean by rubbing it with a cloth to get rid of any contamination. Be sure to also wipe down where the seal meets the machine when it is put back inside. If you find the filter is cracked or damaged, it will need replacing. You can find filters to fit your washing machine make or model on our online shop.

Check 4: Hoses

If you've noticed a leak at the back of your machine, it could be due to the hoses. To identify this, you can wrap a piece of tissue around the hose during a cycle and see if it gets wet. If it does, check the hose for damage as well as the seal of the hose that meets the machine to ensure they are in good condition.

What to do:

If you notice any damage, you will need to replace your washing machine hose or seal. When doing so, make sure you screw it back on firmly by hand.

Check 5: Inside the machine

Last to check is the inside of the machine. To take a look, you will need to remove the back panel by undoing the screws around it.

There are a few areas to check here. If you notice the machine is leaking when it is filling, then this could be a problem with the dispenser. If the machine is leaking when it is full of water during a cycle, this could be due to the hoses inside the machine. Use a torch to inspect these for any damage.

It's also a good idea to fill the tub with a kettle's worth of water to see if there are any leaks coming from the tub. Damage to the tub could be caused by hairpins, bra wires, coins or other metal objects becoming trapped inside it.

What to do:

If you find that the dispenser, internal hoses or tub are damaged, they will need replacing.

Cardboard trick

If you're having trouble identifying where the washing machine leak is coming from, a good trick is to slide a piece of cardboard underneath your machine and run a cycle. During the cycle, monitor exactly where the water is building up by checking which part of the cardboard is damp. Remember to try and keep tabs on exactly where the water is coming from throughout the cycle so you can identify the leak.

We hope this guide has helped you identify and fix the leak in your washing machine and your appliance is back up and running again!

Caring for your washing machine

To prevent your washing machine from developing any future faults, be sure to give it a regular clean. Include the inside, filter and door seal in your clean to prevent the build-up of dirt and limescale. Using a washing machine cleaner and descaler regularly (every 2-3 months) will keep dirt, limescale and smells at bay and help to ensure your appliance stands the test of time.

If your washing machine does develop another fault, we have a wide range of other articles on fixing, caring for and maintaining your machine as well as spare parts and accessories to help you get it back up and running again.

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