How to Fix a Leak in a Dishwasher Door

Fix your dishwasher door leak by replacing the gasket.

When you begin to notice leaks around your dishwasher door, it is a sign that your door gasket needs replacing. Most people automatically assume that the dishwasher door latch is not working properly and hire a repairman to fix the latch. However, if the latch were broken, the dishwasher would not operate at all. You can fix the leak in your dishwasher door yourself by replacing the door gasket. Replacement gaskets are available at appliance repair shops.

Things You'll Need

• Replacement dishwasher door gasket
• Nut driver
• Needle nose pliers

Instructions

1. Find the model number and brand name of your dishwasher and go to the appliance repair shop to find a suitable gasket. Dishwasher door gaskets are cut to fit so that you don't need to make any length adjustments.

2. Open the dishwasher door and remove the dish racks from the dishwasher. Removing the dish racks gives you some room to work. The door gasket is in a recess on the outside perimeter of the dishwasher cabinet and goes around the sides and top of the dishwasher cabinet.

3. Pull the old door gasket out a bit with your fingers to find the screws or clips that secure the gasket to the dishwasher. If you have screws, remove the screws with a nut driver. Most dishwashers use clips that are molded into the gasket. Pull the clips out with a pair of needle nose pliers.

4. Starting at the bottom left side, insert the new gasket into the gasket recess in the dishwasher. Install the bottom retaining clip or retaining screw and work your way up to the top left corner, pushing the gasket into the recess and securing with the screws or clips.

5. Pull on the gasket slightly to maneuver the corner portion of the gasket around the top left corner. Continue inserting the gasket around the dishwasher perimeter and securing with the clips or screws.

6. Place the dishwasher racks back inside the dishwasher and close the dishwasher door.

Tips & Warnings

• You may have to push the dishwasher door shut for the first few times you use it with the new gasket. The heat from the dishwasher will eventually help to mold the gasket to the door edge.

References

• The Family Handyman: Troubleshoot Dishwashers