Washing machine leaking from door
The door seal (boot seal) is the most common cause of a leaking washing machine. Holes or tears in the seal allow water to drip down inside the machine and appear underneath. A leak running down the front of the door can also be caused by a worn or dirty door seal flange – or may actually be coming from the soap drawer, tracking along the control panel and dripping off the door.
Before investigating the door seal itself, confirm the water is actually coming from the door and not the soap dispenser drawer. A small leak from the drawer can track along the base of the control panel and run down onto the door, appearing at first glance to be a door leak. See our guide on washing machine leaking from the soap drawer if in any doubt.
Water Running Down the Front of the Door
If water is genuinely running down the front of the machine from the door area, the most likely cause is the door seal flange – the rubber lip that presses against the door glass to create a watertight seal when the door is closed.
Worn or damaged door seal flange
The flange can develop small chips or breaks in its profile, become tacky and distorted, or harden with age and lose its flexibility. Any of these conditions can prevent it from seating properly against the door glass. Inspect the flange carefully all the way around – damage to a small section is enough to allow a leak. A worn or damaged flange means the door seal needs replacing.
Debris trapped between flange and door glass
Hairs, cotton fibres, dried detergent residue, or grit caught between the door seal flange and the door glass can break the seal even when the flange itself is in good condition. If the flange looks intact, thoroughly clean the seal flange and the inner face of the door glass where they contact each other. A scouring pad or firm cloth is useful for removing residue from the glass.
Water Appearing Underneath at the Front
If water is appearing under the front of the machine rather than running visibly down the door, a hole or tear in the body of the door seal is the most common cause. Water leaks through the hole, runs down inside the machine, and appears underneath.
Run a finger slowly all the way around the inside of the door seal, including the upper sections which are easy to overlook. Small holes higher up in the seal may only leak during rinse cycles when the water level is higher, during heavy load cycles when water is thrown around, or on spin when water is under pressure. A hole may not be visible – feel for it as well as looking.
Replacing the Door Seal
A door seal with a hole, tear, or worn flange should be replaced. Replacement door seals are available from Spares4Appliances with next-day delivery options. Fitting a door seal is a straightforward job on most machines, though some washer-dryer combinations can be more awkward due to access constraints.
A bicycle puncture repair kit applied to the outside of the seal – not the inside where it is in constant contact with water – can extend the life of an otherwise sound seal as a short-term measure. The front flange retaining band should be removed and the seal peeled back from the cabinet to access the external face of the seal properly. This should be treated as a temporary fix only, not a permanent solution.
Leak Not From the Door Seal?
If the door seal appears intact and the door glass and flange are clean, the leak from underneath has a different source. The door is one of the most common causes, but not the only one. See our main guide on washing machine leaking – 5 essential diagnostic tips and our guide on washing machine leaking from underneath for further investigation.
Need a Repair or Replacement Part?
All Washing Machine Leak Guides
5 Essential Tips for Finding a Washing Machine LeakSystematic guidance for locating the source of any washing machine leak.
Leaking From Underneath or When Not in UseCauses of leaks appearing under the machine – including fill hose and pump faults.
Leaking From the Soap DrawerCauses of water escaping from or around the soap dispenser drawer area.
Leaking on SpinCauses of leaks that only appear during the spin cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if the door seal has a hole?
Run a finger slowly all the way around the inside of the door seal, pressing gently into the folds and creases. Feel for any punctures, tears, or soft spots as well as looking visually. Holes can be very small – 2 to 3mm is enough to cause a significant drip over a wash cycle. Pay particular attention to the upper section of the seal where holes are easier to miss.
Could dirty door glass cause a door seal leak?
Yes. The door seal creates a watertight seal by the flange pressing against the door glass. Detergent residue, scale deposits, hair, or cotton fibres on either the flange or the glass can interrupt this seal. Before concluding the door seal is faulty, thoroughly clean both the seal flange and the inner face of the door glass, then test again.
Can a door seal hole be repaired or does it need replacing?
A bicycle puncture repair kit applied to the outside of the seal can provide a temporary fix for a single small hole. The repair should be applied to the external face of the seal, not the inner face which is in direct contact with wash water. This is a short-term measure only. A door seal with significant wear, multiple holes, or a damaged flange should be replaced. Replacement seals are available from Spares4Appliances.
Water is running down the front of my machine from the door area – is it the seal?
Possibly – but first confirm it is not actually coming from the soap drawer. A small leak from the drawer can track along the underside of the control panel and drip down onto the door, appearing to be a door leak. If the source is confirmed to be the door itself, inspect the door seal flange for wear or damage, and clean both the flange and the door glass inner face.
25 Comments
Grouped into 17 comment threads.
2 replies My Bosch Classix washing machine is less than a year old, working perfectly then today water pouring from the bottom of the front door. The door is very clean and there are no tears in seal. The machine is not in my kitchen it is outside in an outhouse (the old outside toilet building). If the outlet pipe is partially frozen could this force water out of the front door? Temperature here is 2 degrees but water is frozen in puddles etc. I cannot see any other reason this could be happening.
1 reply just fitted a new seal because it leaked at water out the bottom of the door but its still leaking the same as before what can it be please
just fitted a new seal because it leaked at water out the bottom of the door but its still leaking the same as before what can it be please
Hi Jenny. Have you gone through everything in my article? Basically it covers everything related to leaking from the bottom of the door including checking that the water is definitely coming from the door and not running from soap drawer, and making sure the door glass is properly clean.
If a new door seal is fitted and water still runs from bottom of the door then it has to be one of the other things or the door glass is loose.
1 reply I HAVE FITED A NEW DOOR GROMMET AND ALL SEEMS WELL? No, the joint between the e new seal and the ssolid plastic drum leaks. Not a lot, but it is an aggravation. I fitted the seal using washing up liquid to avoid stressing the seal but clearly it is not fitting snugly enough. There appear to be two options :- Re-fit using parrafin grease or wait until the leaks stop. Which do you recommend, please? Henry
I HAVE FITED A NEW DOOR GROMMET AND ALL SEEMS WELL? No, the joint between the e new seal and the ssolid plastic drum leaks. Not a lot, but it is an aggravation. I fitted the seal using washing up liquid to avoid stressing the seal but clearly it is not fitting snugly enough.
There appear to be two options :- Re-fit using parrafin grease or wait until the leaks stop.
Which do you recommend, please?
Henry
Likely replying to Henry Burton
Hello Henry. I would advise against using washing up liquid.When you tighten the metal clamp or fit the retaining spring it can squeeze out in places. I would remove the door seal and wipe it all down and fit it again. You shouldn’t need any lubrication, the door seal should just fit onto the drum.
1 reply My washer was leaking from what I thought was the door seal, but after reading your page, it was the dispenser draw, thank you, saved me money
1 reply Sometimes if the load gets badly out of balance the drum could bounce up and the inner drum can hit the door knocking the door glass out of line. it'snot supposed to happen these days as the washing machines have out of balance protection but it's still possible in rare cases. Alternatively the door could come loose on the hinges. If the door glass isn't sitting in the right place and covering the flange of the door seal up it can leak. It's a case of trying to see if anything can be coaxed back into position or tightened up and making sure the door glass and door seal flange are clean.
Sometimes if the load gets badly out of balance the drum could bounce up and the inner drum can hit the door knocking the door glass out of line. it’snot supposed to happen these days as the washing machines have out of balance protection but it’s still possible in rare cases. Alternatively the door could come loose on the hinges. If the door glass isn’t sitting in the right place and covering the flange of the door seal up it can leak. It’s a case of trying to see if anything can be coaxed back into position or tightened up and making sure the door glass and door seal flange are clean.
Thank you for your really useful advice. In my case the Bosch machine was covered by the guarantee and the engineer came to fix it. To my embarrassment he pulled out the soap drawer to find four cellophane-wrapped Calgon tablets squished behind it – which my husband had thoughtfully been putting in the machine with the degradable gel-wrapped Persil ones. As they were providing an impermeable membrane to the innards of the machine the water was being forced down the front of the machine, running around the front door seal and pouring onto the floor. Fortunately the engineer saw the funny side. I didn’t.
1 reply i have replaced the door seal but there is a small leak coming from the bottom of the door. i checked the machine during the cycle ,the drip started on the final rinse as the machine filled up with water. I have checked out the soap dish it seems ok .any ideas. Stefan
i have replaced the door seal but there is a small leak coming from the bottom of the door.
i checked the machine during the cycle ,the drip started on the final rinse as the machine filled up with water.
I have checked out the soap dish it seems ok .any ideas.
Stefan
1 reply I have a washer dryer, a hot point wdl540p, and I'm struggling to remove the front panel to change the seal - it appears to be welded on. Any idea how I can change this door seal?
I have a washer dryer, a hot point wdl540p, and I’m struggling to remove the front panel to change the seal – it appears to be welded on. Any idea how I can change this door seal?
Likely replying to Scott F
Hello Scott. If the front panel is welded on then it is likely to be exceptionally difficult to replace, especially being as it’s also a washer dryer. Washer dryer door seals are always more difficult to replace. Sadly this is part of the trend of deliberately making appliances difficult or impossible to repair in order to make them cheaper.
If a front panel won’t come off, the door seal will have to be replaced in situ with very limited space to work with. If there is also a concrete drum weight around the seal as is common with some makes this will make it exceptionally difficult. The only other option is to completely strip the entire drum out of the machine. All in all a complete farce.
If by any chance there is just a small hole or slit in the door seal you may be able to make a satisfactory and reasonably lasting repair using a bicycle puncture repair kit as described in my article. I used to use this method a lot. The repair kit would need to be applied ideally to the outside of the seal rather than inside which is obviously subject to being constantly submerged in water. Peeling the door seal away from the door frame should allow access to the back of the door seal and depending on where the hole is and if it isn’t too big you can rough up the surrounding area, apply the rubber solution, wait for it to go tacky, and then apply a large rubber patch.
0 replies Oh Dear Suzy. I'd relieve him of all household duties ;)
Oh Dear Suzy. I’d relieve him of all household duties ;)
0 replies Logik w/machine leaking from the bottom of the door.seal is in good condition the door seem to be out of alinement and can i adjust it? ps fairly new machine. Regards peter
Logik w/machine leaking from the bottom of the door.seal is in good condition the door seem to be out of alinement and can i adjust it? ps fairly new machine.
Regards
peter
0 replies If the suspension is twisted it can cause the seal to rub on something and wear through. It's also possible a non-genuine door seal could have been fitted that wasn't as good quality as the original.
If the suspension is twisted it can cause the seal to rub on something and wear through. It’s also possible a non-genuine door seal could have been fitted that wasn’t as good quality as the original.
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0 replies Hi there. I had this issue with my Bosch washing machine about 8 months ago. We had a serviceman put in a new drum. However, just yesterday, it started leaking again, and we noticed that again the seal is broken in one place. For 5.5 years we had no issues, and now the same issue twice in the same year. What's going on? Is it worth it to buy a new machine? It's so expensive to fix it. Thanks!
Hi there. I had this issue with my Bosch washing machine about 8 months ago. We had a serviceman put in a new drum. However, just yesterday, it started leaking again, and we noticed that again the seal is broken in one place. For 5.5 years we had no issues, and now the same issue twice in the same year. What’s going on? Is it worth it to buy a new machine? It’s so expensive to fix it.
Thanks!
0 replies I had just started a wash on hoover washing machine when i heard a grinding noise, i had to shut the washer off as the rubber has completely came off along with a round white plastic ring thing, I've only had my washer 6 months.
I had just started a wash on hoover washing machine when i heard a grinding noise, i had to shut the washer off as the rubber has completely came off along with a round white plastic ring thing, I’ve only had my washer 6 months.
0 replies I don't think I've ever seen a door leak due to a fault on the hinge. Hinges on washing machines are often wobbly and loose allowing you to move them up and down but they can crack and break off. Make sure the water isn't running from the dispenser drawer if it only leaks when it's filling as water from there can run round the door and appear to come from the door. Other than that the main cause is dirt on the door glass or a worn seal. Read all the article carefully to make sure it isn't anything mentioned in the article.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a door leak due to a fault on the hinge. Hinges on washing machines are often wobbly and loose allowing you to move them up and down but they can crack and break off. Make sure the water isn’t running from the dispenser drawer if it only leaks when it’s filling as water from there can run round the door and appear to come from the door. Other than that the main cause is dirt on the door glass or a worn seal. Read all the article carefully to make sure it isn’t anything mentioned in the article.
0 replies My partners washing machine is leaking from the door its gushing out. She tells me shes inspected the seal and it doesnt appear to be damaged. We're thinking the hinge on the door may have been damaged as she has moved home recently and it could of been damaged then. We think it could be the hing as it is slightly wobbly at the bottom of the door. How much would it cost to get a new hing and would it be best to hire a proffessional to fix it or could i possibly fix it myself.
My partners washing machine is leaking from the door its gushing out. She tells me shes inspected the seal and it doesnt appear to be damaged. We’re thinking the hinge on the door may have been damaged as she has moved home recently and it could of been damaged then. We think it could be the hing as it is slightly wobbly at the bottom of the door. How much would it cost to get a new hing and would it be best to hire a proffessional to fix it or could i possibly fix it myself.
0 replies Andy - it is as I had feared. Unfortunately it's quite a substantial tear so i don't think a fix is an option. Many thanks for your advice, it's much appreciated.
Andy – it is as I had feared. Unfortunately it’s quite a substantial tear so i don’t think a fix is an option.
Many thanks for your advice, it’s much appreciated.
0 replies The door seal is fixed to the door frame, usually with a band. Once the band is removed the seal peels off of the door frame. The door seal is fixed to the outer drum with another clamp which needs removing. Access is almost always from the top of the machine. Once the main clamp or band is removed the seal just pulls off. Some door seals are fairly easy to remove. Others can be very difficult, especially some washer dryers but they all fix to the machines the same way.
The door seal is fixed to the door frame, usually with a band. Once the band is removed the seal peels off of the door frame. The door seal is fixed to the outer drum with another clamp which needs removing. Access is almost always from the top of the machine. Once the main clamp or band is removed the seal just pulls off. Some door seals are fairly easy to remove. Others can be very difficult, especially some washer dryers but they all fix to the machines the same way.
0 replies How do you get the old seal off and put on new seal
How do you get the old seal off and put on new seal
My Bosch Classix washing machine is less than a year old, working perfectly then today water pouring from the bottom of the front door. The door is very clean and there are no tears in seal. The machine is not in my kitchen it is outside in an outhouse (the old outside toilet building). If the outlet pipe is partially frozen could this force water out of the front door? Temperature here is 2 degrees but water is frozen in puddles etc. I cannot see any other reason this could be happening.
Likely replying to Suzanne Fitzgerald
Hello Suzanne. Do you mean leaking down the front of the door or from underneath the washing machine coming out under the front of the machine? If the latter it could be anything. But if water is running down from the bottom of the door it can only be caused by a damaged door seal (on the front flange – not a hole), or something stuck on the back of the door glass where it presses on the door seal flange or the flange itself.
Other possible causes are if the water is running from the soap drawer but trickling onto the door and running off the bottom of the door. I wouldn’t have thought 2 degrees outside would make it cold enough inside an out building to freeze something. It’s not a good place for a washing machine though.
Hi Andy, the water is leaking (well pouring out) directly from the actual door. So it must be a damaged seal. The seal looks absolutely perfect. It’s not hard or damaged. It’s like the door is not sealing itself. The door is perfectly clean too. The machine is still in warranty so I’ve called Bosch. It’s very odd as it was working perfectly. I’ll report back what the engineer says tomorrow. Thanks for your prompt reply!