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.
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