The short answer
A door that drops or crashes open has lost its spring balance, and that is what usually pulls the seal out of line and starts a leak. A door that latches but will not start the machine is the latch switch, which is internal.
What the door does
- The door falls open rather than settling — The spring or cable balance has failed.
- Water tracks down the door at one corner — Alignment or a displaced seal.
- The machine will not start with the door shut — The latch switch is not being made.
- The door needs a hard push to latch — Alignment, or a seal that has swollen.
- The seal is visibly perished or torn — It needs replacing rather than cleaning.
- Not this fault: leaking under the machine — That is the leak page.
Ranked for built-in machines
- Door seal dirty, displaced or perished — First, and the cheapest to address.
- Spring or cable balance failed — Second, and it causes the door to drop and the seal to misalign.
- Door out of alignment after cabinet work — Third, and it leaks at a corner rather than across the whole door.
- Latch switch worn — Fourth, and the usual reason a closed door does not start the machine.
- Latch striker misaligned — Fifth, and it produces a door that needs pushing.
- Hinge worn — Last, and usually found together with a failed balance.
Check it in this order
- Open the door slowly and see whether it settles or falls — A falling door names the balance immediately.
- Clean the seal and its channel, then close the door on paper — It maps where the seal is not compressing.
- Push the door firmly and try to start the machine — It separates latch from seal.
- Look at how the door sits against the cabinet fronts — Alignment is visible by eye.
Owner checks
- Wash the seal and the tub lip with warm soapy water — Grease holds a seal open at exactly one point.
Tools: clothAbout 15 min
- Close the door on a strip of paper at several points — Where the paper pulls out freely is where the leak is.
Tools: paper stripAbout 10 min
- Check whether the door falls or settles when released — A falling door is a balance failure and a safety nuisance.
About 5 min
- Press the door firmly closed and press start — If it then runs, the latch is marginal.
About 5 min
- Check the outer panel or cabinet front is screwed on square — A twisted panel pulls the whole door out of line.
Tools: screwdriverAbout 20 min
- Stop before adjusting hinges, springs or the latch switch — Those are under tension and inside the door.
Doors under tension
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel. A capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. Dishwasher door springs are under significant tension and can injure when released; leave them to a technician. A door that falls open is a trip and impact hazard in a kitchen, particularly with children about, so treat it as urgent rather than cosmetic.
When to call
Call when the door falls rather than settling, when the seal is perished or torn, or when a firmly closed door will not start the machine. All three are internal repairs and the spring work in particular should not be attempted at home. Call promptly for a falling door, because it takes the hinges and the seal with it over time.
Related pages
Page scope
Generalized across dishwasher families under this badge rather than for a model line; where a family-specific or model-specific page exists it is the narrower answer. Not here: spring and latch part numbers, tension specifications, hinge adjustment procedures and decor panel weight limits.
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
