The short answer
On a condenser or heat-pump dryer, leaks are condensate from the tank, its seat or the drain hose. On a vented dryer, liquid water usually means condensation in a cold or sagging duct - or the washer next door. Dry the floor and run one cycle to place it.
What to look for
- Water at the front of a condenser machine — Tank, tank seat or the seal around it.
- Water at the rear of a vented machine — Condensation running back down the duct.
- Water only after a long or heavy load — Condensate volume, which is normal in itself.
- Water appearing when the washer runs, not the dryer — It belongs to the other machine.
- Damp patches on the wall behind the machine — Duct condensation, and it needs insulating or re-routing.
- Not this fault: a full-tank indication with no water anywhere — That is the drainage page.
Ranked by what we actually find
- The washing machine beside it — First, and it is worth eliminating before anything else.
- Condensate tank overfilled, cracked or badly seated — Second on condenser and heat-pump machines.
- Duct condensation in a cold or sagging run — Third on vented machines, and common in unheated spaces.
- Drain hose loose or split on a plumbed machine — Fourth, and easy to see.
- Condenser unit seal or housing fouled with lint — Fifth: water tracks along lint instead of draining.
- Condensate pump or its hose leaking inside the cabinet — Last, and it needs a technician.
Find it in this order
- Dry the floor completely and move both machines apart if you can — It separates the two appliances at once.
- Run one dryer cycle alone and watch the floor — Nothing else running means nothing else to blame.
- Check the tank, its seat and the hose on a condenser machine — The most common dryer-side source.
- Look at the duct run for sags and cold sections — Water in a duct runs to the lowest point and then back.
Owner checks
- Dry the floor and lay paper towel under both appliances — It shows which machine the first drop comes from.
Tools: paper towelAbout 10 min
- Run a dryer cycle with the washer idle — A clean floor afterwards ends the investigation.
About 45 min
- Remove the condensate tank and check it and its seat for cracks and lint — Hairline cracks leak only when the tank is full.
Tools: torchAbout 15 min
- Inspect the duct for sags, and support it so it drains away from the machine — A sagging duct collects water and returns it.
About 30 min
- Clean the condenser and its housing — Lint tracks water where it should not go.
Tools: soft brushAbout 25 min
- Stop before opening the cabinet to reach the pump or internal hoses — Water and mains wiring share that space.
Water near a mains appliance
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel. A capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. Do not run a dryer that is standing in water, dry the floor before moving either machine, and remember that a dryer full of lint and water is both an electrical and a fire concern until the source is found.
When to call
Call when the water is clearly from the dryer, the tank and hose are sound and the duct is dry, because the remaining sources are inside the cabinet. Call a plumber or installer instead if the duct is the problem, since re-routing or insulating a duct run is building work rather than appliance repair. Keep the machine out of use while water is appearing near it.
Related pages
What is out of scope
Generalized across dryer families and types under this badge; where a family-specific or model-specific page exists it is the narrower answer. Not here: tank and pump part numbers, duct insulation specifications, condenser cleaning intervals and installation drawings.
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
