The short answer
Dry the floor, lay paper, and watch one cycle to see when the water appears. Fill-time leaks are hoses or the drawer; wash-time leaks are the door seal; drain-time leaks are the filter housing or the drain hose.
Where and when the water shows
- Water at the back during filling — An inlet hose connection.
- Water from the front of the drawer — An overflowing or blocked detergent drawer.
- Water at the door during the wash — The door seal.
- Water at the bottom front during drain — The pump filter housing.
- Water only during spin — The drain connection under pressure.
- Not this fault: damp on the seal after a cycle — Normal residue.
Ranked by what is found
- Door seal damaged, folded or holding debris — First on front-loading machines.
- Pump filter not screwed home after cleaning — Second, and self-inflicted but very common.
- Inlet hose washer perished or a fitting loose — Third.
- Detergent drawer blocked, so it overflows — Fourth, and a residue problem.
- Drain hose connection loose — Fifth.
- Tub, sump or a seal inside the cabinet — Last, and internal.
Find the source in this order
- Dry everything and lay paper under and around the machine — It shows where the first drop lands.
- Run a short cycle and watch each phase — Timing identifies the source.
- Check the filter cap is fully home — A recent cleaning is often the cause.
- Inspect the door seal fold for debris and tears — Run a finger all the way round.
Owner checks
- Dry the floor and lay paper towels around the base — The only reliable way to locate a leak.
Tools: paper towelAbout 15 min
- Check both inlet hose connections at the tap and the machine — Hand-tighten and look for damp.
Tools: clothAbout 20 min
- Wipe out the door seal fold and check for tears — Coins and grit cut seals from inside.
Tools: cloth, torchAbout 20 min
- Remove and rinse the detergent drawer and its housing — Residue makes a drawer overflow.
Tools: brushAbout 25 min
- Re-seat the pump filter cap firmly — Check this whenever the filter has been opened.
About 10 min
- Stop before opening the cabinet for the tub or sump — Water and mains wiring share that space.
Leaks and electricity
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel. A capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. Turn off both supply taps before disturbing a hose. Do not stand in water to operate the machine - switch off at the breaker instead - and stop using an appliance whose leak reaches an outlet, a cord or the cabinet base.
When to call
Call when the hoses, the drawer, the seal and the filter cap are all sound and water still appears, because the tub, the sump and the internal seals need the cabinet open. Call urgently for a leak that reaches an outlet or runs under a floor. Turn the taps off while you wait, since inlet hoses hold pressure continuously.
Other faults on this washer
Scope of this page
Generalized across washer families under this badge; where a family-specific or model-specific page exists it is the narrower answer. Not here: hose specifications, seal part numbers, tub dimensions and pressure ratings.
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
