What should I do when water appears beneath my washing machine?

From a safe distance, check whether water may be near the washer’s plug, outlet, or other electrical connections. If it is—or you are unsure—do not touch the washer, plug, or water around them. Keep other people and pets away and seek qualified help. CPSC advises against touching wet appliances that remain connected to electricity and recommends professional evaluation before using appliances that have gotten wet.[S1] That guidance concerns flooding, not a washer-leak procedure, but supports a cautious response if water may have reached electrical parts.

If the area and connections are clearly dry, and you can reach the controls without stepping through water or moving the machine, stop the cycle using the washer’s controls. Whirlpool’s troubleshooting guidance says to turn off the washer using its controls and check that wall water valves are off.[S2] Don’t unplug it if water could contact you or the connection. Don’t pull it out to investigate.

Only consider an action you can reach without contacting water, wet surfaces, or electrical connections. If water is near the plug or outlet, or you cannot tell whether anything electrical is wet, leave the washer and plug alone and call a qualified professional. Don’t enter standing water to reach a valve or move the machine.

If the area is clearly dry and a water valve is accessible without moving the washer, consult the washer manual for instructions. Whirlpool’s guidance includes checking that wall water valves are off, but it does not establish that approaching or unplugging a washer is safe when water may contact electricity.[S2] If the washer or its connections got wet, CPSC recommends professional evaluation before use; its flooding guidance does not explain how to isolate a washer circuit.[S1]

Don’t touch the washer or inspect underneath it to collect information. From a safe, dry spot, note what you can already observe:

1. When you noticed the water and whether the washer was running, filling, draining, or idle.
2. Where water is visible—front, back, or one side, if apparent without moving the machine.
3. Whether water appears to be continuing, if you can tell without approaching.
4. Whether you know if the plug area is wet; record it as unknown if you can’t tell.
5. The brand and model, if visible without getting close or handling the washer.

For example: “Water is visible at the front-left edge. I noticed it during a wash cycle at about [time]. I haven’t moved the washer. I can’t tell whether the plug area is wet.” Mark uncertain details as unknown rather than guessing. These notes describe observations; they don’t identify the cause.

Don’t run another cycle to test the machine while the leak or an electrical concern is unresolved. If the washer or its electrical connections may have gotten wet, ask a qualified professional to assess it before use. CPSC’s advice addresses wet appliances after flooding and does not provide a washer-specific inspection or repair procedure.[S1]

Tell the professional when water appeared, whether the washer was running and at what stage, where you saw water, whether it seemed to continue, and what you couldn’t safely check. For example: “Please assess the leak and tell me whether the washer is safe to use. I didn’t move it or inspect underneath.” Follow the professional’s instructions about next steps.