GE dishwasher leaking from bottom

Why is my GE dishwasher leaking from the bottom?

When you discover water leaking from the bottom of your GE 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 GE dishwasher leak

When your GE 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 GE 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 GE 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 pump. 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.

When you need professional GE dishwasher repair service to fix a problem, schedule an appointment with Sears Home Services.

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.

GE Dishwasher Leaking from Bottom Left Corner Troubleshooting

When you find your GE dishwasher leaking from the bottom left corner, check to see if the tub is overfilled with water. A failure of the inlet water valve to shut properly can cause the GE dishwasher to leak water. Shut off the water supply if the dishwasher has overfilled. To determine whether a defective inlet water valve is causing the GE dishwasher to overfill and leak from the bottom left corner, completely shut off power to the dishwasher by unplugging it or shutting off the house circuit breaker. You can also turn off the switch beside the kitchen sink that controls power to the dishwasher in most homes. Check the water level in the tub of the dishwasher and then turn on the water supply. If water level in the tub increases with electrical power completely disconnected from the dishwasher, shut off the water supply and schedule dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and replace the defective inlet water valve.

If water level does not increase with electrical power completely shut off from the dishwasher, then a problem with the electronic control board, timer or the overfill float switch may be causing the dishwasher to overfill and leak on the bottom left corner. Have a service technician diagnose and repair your GE dishwasher leaking from the bottom left corner in that situation.

A cracked, blocked or broken spray arm can cause leaking from the bottom left corner of your GE dishwasher. Abnormal spray inside the dishwasher can cause wave action and water can slosh over the left front lip of the dishwasher tub. You’ll see leaking in the bottom left corner of the dishwasher when this happens. Check the dishwasher spray arms for cracks or damage. Make sure that you don’t block spray arm rotation when loading your GE dishwasher. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to load dishes properly and prevent blocking the spray arms which could result in leaking in the bottom left corner.

Other problems that can result in your GE dishwasher leaking from the bottom left corner include a cracked dishwasher tub, leaking seals on the heating element and failed water seals in the dishwasher. Have your dishwasher examined and repair by a service technician as soon as you detect a leak to prevent damage to kitchen counters and flooring.
Water seeping out the bottom of your GE dishwasher may indicate a worn sump or cracked hose connection. Leaving it unchecked can lead to costly floor repairs. Rely on a dishwasher technician to patch or replace faulty parts. Keeping the base sealed ensures a hassle-free wash with no spills.