Frigidaire Dishwasher i30 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Water collected in the pan beneath the tub and the anti-leak response took over — the cause ranges from a one-off overflow or suds episode to a genuine seal failure.
What this code means
i30 is Frigidaire's base-pan leak code: moisture reached the pan under the tub, and the unit typically locks into a protective mode, often running its drain pump. As with every brand's leak sensor, it can't distinguish a real internal leak from foam overflow, a spill, or water sloshed in during a move — which is why the dry-out test is the great clarifier.
i30 behavior is consistent across Frigidaire and Frigidaire Gallery models. If the unit was tilted, transported, or had a suds incident in the last day, suspect the benign version first.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture in the pan without an active leak (suds, spill, recent move) | Very common | Yes — dry out |
| Overfoaming from the wrong detergent forcing water into the pan | Common | Yes — detergent reset |
| Loose hose connection at the supply or drain | Occasional | Partly — hand-check fittings |
| Internal leak: sump seal, pump gasket, or cracked hose | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Cut power at the breaker — this stops a continuously running pump — and close the under-sink supply valve.
- Check the floor at the front and, with a flashlight, as far under the unit as visible: dry surroundings favor a false-positive in the pan.
- Audit the last day's washing: hand soap, an overdosed cycle, or the unit being moved all park water in the pan with nothing broken.
- Leave power off overnight with the door ajar so the pan evaporates dry, then restore power and run a test cycle while watching beneath.
- If i30 returns after a complete dry-out, keep the supply valve closed between uses and book a repair — recurring pan water means a real source.
When to call a technician
- Fresh water under or around the unit during the test cycle.
- i30 returns after every full dry-out with suds and spills ruled out.
- The drain pump self-activates across days — the pan keeps refilling from somewhere.
Typical professional repair cost: Diagnosis runs $75–$150; internal hose or seal repairs typically total $150–$350.
Frequently asked questions
My Frigidaire hums constantly with i30 — what is that?
The anti-flood response: the unit runs its drain pump to evacuate whatever the pan sensor is feeling. It stops when the pan reads dry or when you cut power at the breaker — the latter being the sane way to get a quiet kitchen while it dries out.
How long does the pan take to dry?
Several hours to overnight in a normal kitchen; longer in humid weather. Power off with the door open speeds it along. Tipping the unit drains it faster but means wrestling a plumbed-in appliance — patience is the safer tool.
Is i30 always serious?
It's always worth respecting but often benign — moves, spills, and suds trip it regularly. The discriminator is recurrence: one i30 that clears after a dry-out is a story; an i30 that returns nightly is a leak with an appointment it's asking you to book.
Related Frigidaire codes
- Frigidaire Dishwasher i10 Water isn't reaching the tub fast enough — the under-sink valve, a kinked line, or a stuck float explain most i10 errors before any part needs replacing.
- Frigidaire Dishwasher i20 The unit didn't drain properly — Frigidaire's filters and glass trap clog like any brand's, and the drain hose and disposal connection make up the rest of the usual story.
- Frigidaire Dishwasher i60 The water isn't heating the way the cycle requires — the element, its relay, or the temperature sensor is at fault, and all of them are mains-voltage parts for a professional.
- Frigidaire Dishwasher i40 Food soil has built up in the sump and filter to the point water can't circulate freely, and Frigidaire's own remedy is to pull the glass trap and filter and rinse them clean.
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