Why is my washing machine leaking?

Wondering what's going on in there?

Where a washer can leak, in plain English

A washer brings water in, sloshes it around, and pumps it out. Water can leak at any of those steps. It runs downhill, so a leak up high often shows up as a puddle on the floor.

Each number matches a step below. This is a front-loader seen from the side. Top-loaders have the same parts, with a lid instead of a door seal.

Water comes in. Two fill hoses run from the faucets on the wall to a water inlet valve at the back. One's hot, one's cold. The valve opens to let water in and closes when the drum is full.
It washes the soap in. Water rushes through the detergent drawer and carries the soap into the drum.
The door seal and the tub hold it in. The drum spins inside a closed tub. On a front-loader, a rubber door seal closes the gap at the door. At the back, a tub seal keeps water away from the bearing the drum spins on.
A pump pushes it out. The drain pump at the bottom pumps the dirty water out. Front-loaders have a pump filter behind a little door at the bottom front.
The drain hose carries it away. The gray drain hose hooks into a pipe in the wall or floor, called a standpipe.

So a leak usually comes from one of these:

Too many suds, or a load that's packed or off balance.
The door: a dirty seal, or a torn one.
The top: a clogged drawer, or a valve that lets in too much water.
The back: a loose hose, a dripping wall faucet, or the drain hose.
Underneath: the pump filter cap, the pump, or the tub.

That's why the questions at the top start with when the water shows up, then where. A few drops at the door when you open a front-loader right after a wash are normal, Samsung says.

Leaks and won't drain, or bangs during the spin even when it's level? See our guide to a washing machine that won't spin or drain. It covers the pump and worn shocks. Black spots in the door seal? It may smell too: see why a washing machine smells. Dry washer, wet floor? Laundry rooms often hold other things that leak. See a water heater that's leaking or an AC or furnace leaking water.

Who to call

Rather not do it yourself? Call an appliance repair tech.

That's a fine choice. Maybe you're busy. Maybe you're selling the house and just want it done right. An appliance repair tech can find the leak inside the washer and fix it. If it's leaking at the wall faucet or the drain, call a plumber.

$95–$300New water valve

$150–$400New drain pump

Most repair companies charge $60–$150 to come out, and many put that toward the repair.

Find washer repair near you

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What to say

Calling a pro? Here's what to say.

A few lines to read when they pick up, and the questions to ask before anyone comes out.

Before you call

Under a year old? Call the maker first.

Store protection plan? Call them first.

4.5 stars or more, and works on your brand.

Say this

Hi. My washing machine is leaking. When's the soonest you can get here? And what's your fee for the visit? Does it go toward the repair?

Always ask

What's your fee to come out, and does it go toward the repair?
Do you work on my brand, and can you bring the likely part on the first visit?
Will you tell me the full price before you start any work?

Watch out if

They push a brand-new appliance on the first visit for a small problem.
They won't give you a price before starting.
They want you to pay for parts before they've found the problem.

Feeling pushed to decide on the spot? You can say no and hang up. You owe nothing for a phone call.

Know what's wrong before they come

Answer up to 5 quick questions. We'll give you the words a pro uses.

Answer the questions →

More of a list person?

Common symptoms, causes, tests and costs

Find the row that sounds like your washer. The quick test is something you can check yourself in a few minutes.

What you notice	What it probably is	Quick test	Do it yourself	With a pro	Verdict
Foam at the door or drawer. Regular soap, a heavy pour or a pod in the drawer	Too many suds	Look for foam in the drum or the drawer	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: Too many suds
Leaks while it washes or spins. Drum packed full, or one big item	The washer is overloaded or off balance	Can you fit your hand in on top of the clothes?	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The washer is overloaded or off balance
Leaks during the spin. It rocks, walks or wobbles	The washer isn't level	Press each front corner. Does it wobble?	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The washer isn't level
Drips at the bottom of the door. Gunk, hair or a sock in the seal	The door seal is dirty, or something's caught in it	Pull back the rubber seal and feel all the way around	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The door seal is dirty, or something's caught in it
Drips at the door. A tear, hole or split in the seal, or a clean seal that still leaks	The door seal is torn or worn out	Pull the seal back and look for a tear, mostly at the bottom	Pro job	$230–$600	CALLSee the answer: The door seal is torn or worn out
Leaks at the drawer while it fills. Drawer caked with soap or not shut	The detergent drawer is clogged or not shut	Pull the drawer out and look in it and in its slot	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The detergent drawer is clogged or not shut
Wet at a hose end, or a hose that's cracked, bulging or rusty	A loose or worn fill hose	Run a dry finger along each hose and around each end	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: A loose or worn fill hose
The faucet on the wall drips at its handle or where it meets the pipe	The wall faucet is leaking	Dry the faucet, then hold a paper towel under it	Pro job	$50–$250	CALLSee the answer: The wall faucet is leaking
Wet at the drain hose or where it goes into the pipe, mostly while it drains	The drain hose is loose, cracked or out of the pipe	Watch the hose and the pipe during Drain and Spin	Free	$95–$250	FIXSee the answer: The drain hose is loose, cracked or out of the pipe
Water backs up out of the drain pipe or a floor drain	The house drain is clogged	Watch the drain pipe during Drain and Spin	Pro job	$100–$800	CALLSee the answer: The house drain is clogged
Drips at the little door at the bottom front, often right after the filter was cleaned	The pump filter cap is loose	Open the little door at the bottom front. Check the filter and the cap	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The pump filter cap is loose
Wet under the middle of the washer, near the pump, mostly while it drains	The drain pump or its seal is leaking	Look under the washer with a flashlight while it drains	Pro job	$150–$400	CALLSee the answer: The drain pump or its seal is leaking
Wet where the hoses meet the washer, water trickling in when it's off, or water over the top of the tub	The water valve inside the washer	Hoses tight and fine, but it's wet at the back of the washer	Pro job	$95–$300	CALLSee the answer: The water valve inside the washer
Drips from under the tub, rust, or rocking and banging even when it's level	A worn tub seal or bearing, or a cracked tub	Rule out the hoses, the pump filter and the level first	Pro job	$100–$900	CALLSee the answer: A worn tub seal or bearing, or a cracked tub
No leak on an empty run, but water shows up anyway	The water may not be from the washer	Dry the floor and keep paper towels down for a few days	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The water may not be from the washer

2026 U.S. averages, rounded. Pro prices include parts and labor. Most repair companies charge $60–$150 to come out, and many put that toward the repair. Nights, weekends and big cities cost more. See all repair prices

Want proof it's fixed?

The paper towel test

A few paper towels show you where the water starts. Paper soaks it up fast, so you can see the spot.

Dry the floor. Tuck paper towels along the bottom of the washer: front, sides and back.
Run Rinse and Spin with nothing in it. Stay close.
Check the towels while it fills, while it spins, and while it drains.

Dry the whole time: it's fixed. Or the water comes from something else nearby.
Wet under the door: the door seal, the soap or the load.
Wet at the bottom front: the pump filter cap, the pump or the tub.
Wet at the back: a hose, a wall faucet, the water valve or the drain hose.

Want to test the drain pipe? Pour a gallon of water into it, slowly. If it overflows, the drain is clogged. LG says to call a plumber.

Not sure it's safe to keep running?

Turn it off right away if…

Water reaches the plug, the outlet or a power strip. Don't touch it. Turn off the washer's breaker first, then unplug it.
You'd have to stand in water to reach the breaker panel. Stay out of the water and call an electrician to turn it off. That's the CDC's advice.
A hose is spraying or bulging. Turn off the faucets on the wall behind the washer.
Water keeps coming in with the washer off. Turn off those faucets.
Dirty water backs up out of the drain pipe or a floor drain.
You smell burning, or the breaker trips.

To stop it, press Power or Cancel. If there's water near the plug, turn off the breaker before you unplug it.

Got a big repair quote?

Should you repair it or replace it?

Most washer leaks cost little or nothing to fix. A new door seal runs about $230–$600 with a pro, and a drain pump about $150–$400. A new washer runs about $700–$1,300, HomeGuide says. Ask yourself three things:

How old is it? HomeGuide says replacing may cost less on a washer 7 to 10 years old that needs a lot of repairs. The date is on the model sticker.
Is it under warranty? Most new washers have at least a 1-year warranty. Call the maker first.
The half rule. If the repair costs more than half the price of a new washer, get a price on a new one too.

Example: a $250 door seal on a 4-year-old washer is worth doing. A worn tub and bearings on a 10-year-old washer is worth comparing with a new one.

Ran into a word you don't know?

Washer words, explained

Tap through these before you go looking. The drawings show roughly what each part looks like.

Front-load washer: A washer with a round door on the front.
Top-load washer: A washer with a lid on top.
Door seal (door gasket): The rubber ring around a front-loader's door opening. It keeps the water in.
Detergent drawer: The pull-out drawer on top where the soap and softener go. Water runs through it to wash the soap in. Pros call it the dispenser.
HE detergent: Detergent made for high-efficiency washers. It makes fewer suds.
Cleaning cycle: A setting that cleans the washer itself. It may be called Clean Washer, Tub Clean or Self Clean.
Fill hoses: The two hoses that bring hot and cold water from the wall to the back of the washer. Pros call them inlet hoses.
Hose washer: The flat rubber ring inside each end of a fill hose. It seals the joint. A torn one drips.
Wall faucets (shutoff valves): The two faucets on the wall behind the washer, one hot and one cold. They turn the washer's water on and off.
Water inlet valve: The valve at the back of the washer where the fill hoses hook on. It lets water in, then shuts it off.
Drain hose: The gray hose from the back of the washer to the drain.
Hose clamp: A metal band that squeezes a hose onto its fitting.
Standpipe: The pipe in the wall or floor that the drain hose hooks into.
Pump filter: On front-loaders, a filter behind a little door at the bottom front. It catches socks, coins and lint. Many have a small drain tube with a cap beside it.
Drain pump: A small pump at the bottom that pushes the water out.
Tub seal and bearing: The drum spins on a bearing at the back of the outer tub. A rubber seal keeps water away from it.
Leveling feet: The screw-in feet under the front of the washer. Turn them to make it sit flat.
Breaker: A switch in your electrical panel that turns off power to one circuit. The washer's may be labeled Washer or Laundry.
Floor drain: A round drain in the floor of some laundry rooms and basements.
Water heater: The tank that heats your home's water. It often sits in or near the laundry room.
Model number: A code on a sticker on the door frame, under the lid or on the back. You need it to order the right part.

Still have questions?

Questions people ask most

Is a leaking washing machine an emergency?

A leaking washing machine is an emergency if water reaches the plug, the outlet or a power strip. Don't touch it. Turn off the washer's breaker first, then unplug it. If you'd have to stand in water to reach the breaker panel, call an electrician, the CDC says. A hose that's spraying is urgent too: turn off the faucets behind the washer. A slow drip can wait a day, but don't run the washer until you find it.

Why is my washing machine leaking from the bottom?

A washing machine leaking from the bottom often has a loose hose, a drain hose out of its pipe, or too many suds. On a front-loader, check that the pump filter and its little cap at the bottom front are on tight. A worn pump or tub seal can leak there too, and that's a pro job, say Whirlpool, Maytag and LG.

Why is my front load washer leaking from the door?

A front-load washer leaking from the door most often has a dirty door seal, a sock caught in it, or too much soap. A packed load, or a washer that isn't level, can do it too. A torn seal has to be replaced, say Whirlpool, LG and Samsung.

Why is my washer leaking when it's not in use?

A washer that leaks when it's off often has a worn fill hose or a dripping wall faucet. Or a water valve inside the washer won't close all the way. Water trickling into the drum with the washer off points to that valve, Whirlpool says. Turn the faucets off between loads until it's fixed.

Why does my washer leak when it drains or spins?

A washer that leaks while it drains often has a drain hose that slipped out of its pipe, a clogged house drain, or a loose pump filter cap. If water comes up out of the pipe, LG says to call a plumber. Leaks during the spin can also mean the washer isn't level, Maytag says.

Can too much detergent make a washer leak?

Yes, too much detergent can make a washer leak, because the extra suds push water out the door or a vent. Regular detergent in an HE washer does it too, even once, Samsung says. Run rinse cycles with no soap until the suds are gone. Then use HE detergent, and less of it.

Will a washing machine leak if it's overloaded?

Yes, an overloaded washing machine can leak. Clothes can get caught in the door seal, and a packed top-loader can splash water over the top, say Whirlpool and LG. Don't pack it tight. On a top-loader, keep clothes below the top row of holes in the drum, LG says.

How often should you replace washing machine hoses?

Replace washing machine fill hoses every 3 to 5 years, or sooner if you see cracks, bulges or wet spots, say Whirlpool and State Farm. Maytag says every 5 years. State Farm suggests steel-braided hoses instead of rubber. Write the date on new ones so you know when.

Why is my washing machine leaking oil?

Oil or grease under a washer usually points to the transmission, the gearbox under the tub. Maytag says it isn't a quick fix and needs a pro. Stop using the washer, so the oil doesn't get on your clothes.

How much does it cost to fix a leaking washing machine?

Fixing a leaking washing machine often costs nothing, if it's the soap, the load, the level or a loose hose. A new door seal runs about $230–$600 with a pro. A drain pump runs about $150–$400, and a water valve about $95–$300. A plumber clearing the laundry drain runs about $150–$250. Those are HomeAdvisor, Fixr and HomeGuide prices.

Is it worth fixing a leaking washing machine?

It's worth fixing a leaking washing machine when the fix is cheap or the washer is fairly new. A hose, a seal or a pump is often worth it. A worn tub or bearing on an older washer often isn't. HomeGuide says replacing may cost less on a washer 7 to 10 years old that needs a lot of repairs. A new washer runs about $700–$1,300.

Who do I call for a leaking washing machine?

Call an appliance repair tech for a leak from the washer itself, like the pump, the door seal or the water valve. Call a plumber if the wall faucet leaks, or water backs up out of the drain pipe. Try the free checks first: the soap, the load, the level and the hoses. Under a year old? Call the maker first. Renters should call their landlord.

How we built this

The questions follow the order an appliance tech checks a leaking washer: when the water shows up on an empty run, where it starts, then the soap, load and level, the door seal and drawer, the hoses and wall faucets, and last the drain, the pump and the tub. Each answer makes some causes more likely and others less likely.

Prices are 2026 national averages from published repair-cost guides, rounded. Your local prices will differ.

How we make money: some links go to parts stores that pay us a small commission, and some pro listings pay us when you call them. Verdicts come from the diagnosis, not from who pays more.