F6E4

KitchenAid Leak Detected / Float Switch Activated

Dishwasher detects water in the base pan; may show an overfill or float switch error; unit may run drain pump continuously and not start a wash.

Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

Possible Causes

Leaking sump seal, cracked drain hose, loose pump clamp, door gasket leak, over-sudsing causing foam overflow into base

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety First: Disconnect power and turn off water supply. Be prepared for water spillage when tilting the unit.

Drain the base:

Remove the lower access panel and gently tilt the dishwasher forward to see if water drains from the base pan (place towels underneath).
Dry the base thoroughly with towels or a wet/dry vacuum.

Find the leak source:

With the base dry, restore power and run a short fill cycle while observing underneath with a flashlight.
Look for drips around the sump, circulation pump, drain pump, hoses, and door corners.
If you recently used regular dish soap, over-sudsing may have caused foam overflow; run a rinse cycle with a small amount of cooking oil to break down suds.

Repair:

Tighten loose clamps, replace cracked hoses, or replace the sump seal or pump gasket as needed.
Do not operate the dishwasher until the leak is fully resolved.

Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Sump Seal / Hose (depending on leak source)

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