Frigidaire Dishwasher Error i30 – Causes & Fix
A foam float in the base pan under the tub was lifted by water. Find the source, then dry the pan.
Safety first · Consult a professional
Close the water valve under the sink and switch off the breaker as soon as you see i30, especially if the pump keeps running or water reaches the floor. Water in the base pan sits beside the wiring and valve terminals.
- Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.
- Water and electricity: unplug first, keep towels ready and never stand in water while the appliance is connected.
At a glance
Severity: Moderate
- Meaning
- Leak Detected – Water in the Base Pan
- System
- Frigidaire · Dishwasher
- Typical repair cost
- $0–$400
- DIY difficulty
- Moderate
On Frigidaire dishwashers i30 means water has collected in the base pan below the tub and lifted the flood float, a block of styrofoam that trips a switch. The control stops washing and, on most models, keeps the drain pump running to limit the damage. The water might be a single overflow from suds, or a steady leak from the water inlet fitting, the pump seals, the door or a hose clamp. The code can't be cleared until the pan is dry and the float has dropped, which is why it sometimes seems to fix itself a day later.
How it looks on the display
Model families & display variants
| Model family | Shows | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Frigidaire and Frigidaire Gallery top-control models | i30 | Displayed with a lowercase i; some owners read it as 130 or I30. |
| Frigidaire Professional models | i30 | Same flood float in the base pan, same code. |
| Models without a numeric display | blinking light | The leak fault is signaled with a blinking pattern listed in the use and care guide. |
Symptoms
- i30 on the display, cycle stopped, often with the drain pump running nonstop
- Water or dampness on the floor in front of the dishwasher
- Suds leaking from the door after using the wrong detergent
- Code clears on its own after a day, then returns
- Water visible in the base pan behind the kick plate
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Oversudsing from hand dish soap or rinse aid spilled into the tub
- Leak at the water inlet valve fitting or supply connection
- Door gasket or lower door seal leaking, or unit not level
- Pump or sump seal leaking
- Loose drain hose clamp at the pump
- Cracked tub or float/switch fault
Fix it step by step
Shut water and power
Close the supply valve and turn off the breaker. Put towels on the floor in front of the unit.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan
Remove the kick plate and dry the pan
Unscrew the kick plate and soak the water out of the base pan with towels or a wet-dry vacuum until the styrofoam float drops back down.
Tools: Screwdriver, Towels & shallow pan, Flashlight
Read the water
Clean water points to the inlet fitting or valve; soapy water to suds or the door; gray, food-flecked water to the pump, sump or drain hose. Dry white trails on the pan show where a slow leak has been running.
Tools: Flashlight
Check detergent and rinse aid
Look for suds in the tub. If you find any, rinse them out with cold water, check the rinse aid cap is tight and switch to automatic dishwasher detergent only.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan
Inspect the door and level
Run a finger along the door gasket for tears or food buildup and check that the dishwasher sits level side to side, so water doesn't run toward one corner of the door.
Tools: Flashlight
Watch a test run
Leave the kick plate off, restore water and power, and run a short cycle with a flashlight on the inlet valve, pump and hose clamps. The first drip tells you what to fix.
Tools: Flashlight
How to reset i30
- Turn off the breaker so the drain pump stops.
- Dry the base pan completely until the float sits down.
- Restore power and water; the code clears when the float switch resets. If it returns during a test run, the leak is still active.
Where the parts are
- 1Door lock
- 2Water inlet valve
- 3Filter
- 4Circulation pump
- 5Heating element
- 6Drain pump
- 7Float switch
- 8Temperature sensor
- 9Water level sensor
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dry base pan, remove suds | Yes | $0 |
| Tighten inlet fitting or hose clamp | Yes | $0–$15 |
| Door gasket replacement | Yes | $30–$90 |
| Inlet valve replacement by a technician | No | $150–$280 |
| Pump or sump seal repair by a technician | No | $200–$400 |
Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.
When to call a technician
Book a technician if the pan fills again during a test run and the leak comes from the pump, sump or tub rather than a fitting you can tighten. Also call if water has already soaked the cabinet base or subfloor.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the drain pump keep running with i30?
It's a safety response: the control pumps out the tub so no more water escapes while the leak is present. Turn off the breaker to stop it after you've shut the water.
The code went away overnight. Is it fixed?
Probably not. The water in the base pan evaporated and the float dropped, but whatever leaked is still there. Run a watched test with the kick plate off.
Can I tilt the dishwasher back to empty the base pan?
Some technicians do, but it means disconnecting the unit and pulling it out, and water can run onto wiring. Soaking the water out through the front with towels or a wet-dry vacuum is safer.
Is i30 always a real leak?
Nearly always water got into the pan somehow, even if it was a one-time suds overflow. A stuck float or bad switch is possible but less common.
Sources
- Official Frigidaire user documentation and support pages (facts only; wording is our own)
- Methodology: How We Build Code Pages · Data Sources We Use · Editorial Policy