The short answer
If an AEG started leaking soon after anyone touched the pump filter, refit that cap square and click the flap shut — that is the leading cause on this class. Debris or a tear in the door seal is second, an overflowing detergent drawer third, and a hose, clamp or tub seal last. The timing of the first leak usually names the culprit.
What you observe
- Water at the bottom front, soon after a filter clean — The filter cap is not seated square.
- Water running from under the door during the wash — Debris or a tear in the seal folds.
- Water down the front from the drawer — The detergent drawer housing is blocked.
- Water only at spin speed — A marginal seal or a tired clamp under pressure.
- NEAR MISS — a damp seal fold after a cycle — Normal on a front-loader. Wipe it dry.
Causes, most likely first on this brand
- Pump filter cap refitted crooked, or its flap left open — First because it is the only part owners routinely remove, and a thread started off square leaks from the next fill onwards. The timing of the leak usually gives it away.
- Debris or a tear in the door seal — Second: the lowest fold of the gasket collects grit, coins and hair, and that is also where a small tear forms. Water then runs out under the door during the wash.
- Detergent drawer housing blocked — Third, and easy to prove: residue builds behind the drawer until incoming water backs up and runs down the front of the cabinet, which looks alarming and washes off.
- Hose, clamp or tub seal — Last. Water only at spin points at a clamp or a seal under pressure, and a tub seal on a front-loader is the repair that decides whether the machine is worth keeping.
Check in this order, and why
- Ask when the leak first appeared — Right after a filter clean answers the question outright.
- Unscrew and refit the filter cap squarely — Free, and it is the top cause on this class.
- Run a hand round the lowest fold of the door seal — Debris and small tears both live there.
- Pull the drawer out and look into its housing — Left until here because the water is distinctive.
What an owner can safely check
- Unscrew the pump filter fully and refit it square — Then close the flap until it clicks, not until it rests.
Tools: towelAbout 20 min
- Clean the door seal folds all the way round — Pull the lowest fold open and look for grit and small tears.
Tools: cloth, torchAbout 20 min
- Remove the detergent drawer and clean its housing — Flush the housing until water runs away freely.
Tools: brushAbout 25 min
- Dry the floor, then run a cycle and watch each stage — Note exactly which step wets the floor again.
Tools: towelAbout 60 min
- STOP HERE if water appears only at spin — Clamps and the tub seal mean opening the machine.
Before you open anything
Safety
Unplug the washer and turn off the supply tap before opening the filter flap or any panel; a capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off, and water on a floor near a mains lead is a hazard before it is a nuisance. Water behind the filter can still be hot, so let a cycle cool first. Wear gloves: broken glass and underwires are common in a seal fold.
When to call a technician
Call when the filter is seated, the seal is clean and intact, the drawer housing is clear and water still appears — a hose clamp or the tub seal is then the answer. Ask for the tub seal price before agreeing, because on a front-loader it frequently costs a large share of the machine. Stop and unplug it if water is reaching the lead or a socket.
Nearest pages of this class
What this page does not cover
This page is written for the brand and the appliance class, not for one family or model line. Where a family- or model-specific page exists for your unit, that page is the more specific answer and you should start there. Deliberately absent: seal, clamp and filter part identifiers, hose sizes, spin speeds and fault-code meanings, all of which differ between the front-loading, washer-dryer and integrated families.
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
