Frigidaire Dishwasher i30 Error: Fixing the Leak

Quick Answer

The i30 error means your dishwasher has detected water in the base pan and triggered the leak protection switch. This usually causes the drain pump to run constantly to prevent a flood in your kitchen. You must dry the base pan and identify the source of the leak to clear the code.

Don't ignore this one. I've seen kitchens with buckled floors and ruined cabinets because homeowners just kept resetting the breaker hoping it'd go away. That drain pump running nonstop is actually the machine doing you a favor. Dry out that base pan, find the leak, and you're usually back in business for under $50 in parts and an hour of your time.

FrigidaireDishwasherSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate92% DIY Success

Time to Fix

30–60 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

—

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Flat-head screwdriver

What Does the i30 Code Mean?

OK so here's what's going on. Your dishwasher's got a little foam float sitting in a plastic tray at the very bottom of the unit, and when water gets down there it triggers a switch that locks the machine into drain mode. I had a call just last week where a homeowner thought the control board was shot, and it was just a loose drain hose clamp the whole time. Usually cheap to fix, almost never a board issue.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Water inlet valve leak45%

Door seal or gasket failure25%

Drain hose or pump leak15%

Suds and overflow issues15%

Symptoms You May Notice

The drain pump just keeps running constantly, even after you open the door or hit cancel. Sounds like it's stuck trying to drain and won't stop.
i30 flashes on the display and the wash cycle won't start at all, or stops mid-cycle and goes into a nonstop drain loop.
Water sitting in the tub floor after the drain cycle finished, when it should be completely empty.
Small puddle or moisture on the kitchen floor right under the front of the dishwasher, sometimes you only notice it when you step in it.
Machine starts, runs for a minute or two, then just stops and pumps over and over without ever finishing the cycle.

Can you reset a Frigidaire dishwasher to clear the i30 code?

Once you've dried the base pan and the float switch drops back down on its own, the i30 usually clears itself. If it's still showing after the pan is dry, hit the cancel button, wait for the pump to stop, then kill power at the breaker for five full minutes. Come back, restore power, and it should be gone. If it comes right back, there's still moisture in the pan or the float switch is stuck in the up position.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlat-head screwdriverShop vacuum or wet/dry vacFlashlight or headlampDigital multimeterNeedle-nose pliersOld towels or spongesBucket

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Frigidaire dishwasher drain pump running even when it's off?

That's actually the machine working correctly, as annoying as it sounds. When the i30 triggers, the control board puts the drain pump into a continuous run mode to protect your floor from flooding. It'll keep running until that base pan is dry and the float switch drops back down. So just unplugging it and plugging it back in won't fix it, it'll kick right back into drain mode. You've got to dry the pan first, then the pump will stop on its own.

Can using the wrong detergent cause an i30 error?

Yep, more than you'd think. Regular dish soap, hand soap, even too much of the right dishwasher detergent can cause a suds explosion inside the tub. That foam overflows around the door seal and drips right down into the base pan, triggering the float switch. I had a call last year where a homeowner's kid had been using hand soap for about a week straight and the pan was completely soaked. Dry it all out completely and switch back to the right detergent. One pod, not two.

How do I reset my Frigidaire dishwasher after the i30 error?

You can't really reset your way out of this one. The i30 won't clear until the actual water is gone from the base pan and the float switch physically drops back down. Once you've dried it out, the code usually disappears on its own. If it doesn't, kill the breaker for five minutes, then restore power. If it comes back right away, you've still got a leak somewhere or the float switch is physically stuck in the up position. Check for debris wedged under that foam float.

Is the i30 error a sign of a failed control board?

Almost never. Honestly, I've been doing this for 15 years and I can count on one hand how many times a control board was the actual cause of an i30. It's almost always water in the base pan, full stop. Don't let anyone sell you a $150 to $200 control board for this error until you've completely ruled out a physical leak and confirmed the float switch moves freely. Check the cheap stuff first. It's almost always a $20 inlet valve or a $15 door gasket.

What if there's no water in the base pan but the i30 code won't go away?

If the pan is genuinely bone dry and the code is still showing, the float switch is probably stuck in the up position. Sometimes a chunk of food debris or a piece of melted detergent pod gets wedged under the foam float and holds it up. Pull it out and clear whatever's under there, then see if the float drops freely on its own. You can also test the switch for continuity with your multimeter. Float down should show a closed circuit, float up should show open. If it reads the same either way, the switch itself has failed.

Models Known to Experience i30 Errors

This repair applies to most Frigidaire dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

FFCD2413US, FGID2466QB0, FFBD2406NW, FGIP2468UD, FPHD2491KF, FGID2474QW, FFBD2406NS, FGID2466QF

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026