Washing machine leaking: causes and safe checks

1 Turn off the water and switch the appliance off

1. Close the water supply tap to the appliance.
2. Switch the appliance off. Only unplug it at the wall if the plug, socket and floor around it are dry. Otherwise switch it off at the consumer unit.
3. Mop up water on the floor so nobody slips.

2 Close the door properly and check for trapped laundry

1. Open the door and look around the rubber seal for socks or other items caught between the seal and the glass.
2. Take a few items out if the drum is packed tight. An overloaded drum can stop the door closing.
3. Push the door firmly shut until you hear a click, then start the programme again.

✕Don’t: Don’t force the door or the handle.

3 Clean and inspect the door seal

1. Open the door and wipe fluff, hair and detergent residue from the rubber seal and the edge of the door glass.
2. Pull the folds of the seal back gently and remove anything trapped inside.
3. Look for tears, holes or perished areas. A damaged seal needs replacing by a qualified engineer.

4 Clear excess foam and use less detergent

1. If you can see a lot of foam in the drum, too much detergent may be confusing the water-level system.
2. Use the dose on the detergent pack for your load size and water hardness. Use less for small or lightly soiled loads and soft water, and use a detergent made for automatic machines.
3. Let the foam settle, then run a hot rinse or empty wash without detergent to flush the residue out.

5 Clean the detergent drawer

1. Pull the detergent drawer out. Many have a release catch, and your manual shows where it is.
2. Lift out any removable insert or siphon cap and rinse every compartment under warm running water.
3. Brush out detergent and softener residue from the drawer recess in the machine, using an old toothbrush.
4. Refit the drawer fully and run a rinse with an empty drum.

✕Don’t: Don’t put pods or capsules in a drawer that isn’t designed for them. Put them in the drum.

6 Check the hose connections for leaks Take care

1. With the water off, check that both ends of the inlet hose are screwed on securely, and that the rubber sealing ring inside each connector is in place and not damaged.
2. Tighten plastic connectors by hand only.
3. Check whether the drip is coming from the tap or valve itself rather than the hose.
4. Check the drain hose is pushed fully onto its spigot or secured in the standpipe.

✕Don’t: Don’t use a split or bulging hose. It must be replaced.

7 Clean the drain pump filter Take care

1. Find the small flap at the bottom front of the machine. Your manual shows the exact location and whether there is a small emergency drain hose.
2. With towels and a tray in place, release the water slowly, using the emergency hose if there is one, or by turning the filter cap a little at a time. Expect more water than you think, and empty the tray as often as you need to.
3. When the water has stopped, unscrew the filter fully and remove fluff, coins, hair grips and other debris. Rinse it under the tap.
4. Look into the opening to check the pump blade can turn freely. If you can see it, manufacturers suggest turning it gently with a pencil, never with your fingers.
5. Refit the filter firmly in its locked position and close the flap. Check for drips the next time the machine runs.

For this fault: Here the point is that the filter is fully screwed in. AEG says a filter that isn’t fully inserted and tightened can leak.

✕Don’t: Don’t reach in with fingers past the filter opening.

✕Don’t: Don’t open the filter while the machine is running or the water is hot.