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    Power & faults

    Why does my washing machine or dishwasher trip the safety switch?

    Updated 9 October 2026

    The short answer
    Water and worn heating elements are the usual causes. A leak inside the machine can reach the pump, motor or wiring, an element can break down and leak current, and a power point behind the appliance can get wet from a dripping hose or tap. Note when in the cycle it trips. That points to the part at fault and tells you whether you need an electrician or an appliance technician.

    Use the cycle to narrow it down

    Watch when the trip happens. At switch-on, before anything moves, points to the power point, the lead or water in the controls. During a hot wash or a dishwasher's heating stage, the element is the usual suspect, especially if cold washes run fine. At drain or spin, the drain pump or motor is often wet or failing. If it only trips after running for a while, look for a slow leak that reaches something electrical partway through the cycle.

    Check the power point behind it

    Laundry and under-sink points sit close to hoses, taps and drains. A weeping hose fitting, a dripping tap or condensation can leave water in the outlet or on the plug, and the safety switch can trip even when the machine isn't running. Switch that circuit off at the switchboard before you pull the machine out or touch a plug that may be wet.

    If the point or plug is damp, scorched or corroded, leave the circuit off and have the point checked. Once the area is dry and the machine is unplugged, plugging a small appliance you know works into that point shows whether the point trips on its own.

    Electrician or appliance technician?

    If the point, its cable or the circuit is at fault, it's a job for a licensed electrician. We test the circuit and the point, replace a damaged outlet and can move a point that sits too close to water to a drier spot. If testing shows the circuit is sound and the leak is inside the machine, an appliance technician repairs the element, pump or seal. A leaking hose or tap is a job for a licensed plumber.

    What you can safely do now

    • Turn the machine off and reset the safety switch once.
    • If it trips again, leave the circuit off, and unplug the machine only once the circuit is off and your hands are dry.
    • Look for water under or behind the appliance, and dry the area before anything is switched back on.
    • Don't run the machine from another point on an extension lead.
    • Note the cycle stage, the wash temperature and what else on that circuit was running.

    Services that can help

    Safety Switch (RCD) Installation & TestingSafety switches fitted, tested and replaced to cover every circuit.Electrical Repairs & Fault FindingFinding out why circuits trip, flicker or go dead, then fixing them.Power Point Installation & UpgradesNew, extra and relocated power points, inside and out.

    Read more in our guides

    Related questions

    Sources for this answer

    1 source, with the date each was checked
    1. 1.Energy Safe Victoria: Locate your electricity box outside your home and check whether the safety switch has tripped. If it has tripped, reset the switch. If the switch won’t reset, call a licensed electrician. Accessed 30 September 2026.

    General information for homes in Victoria. Every installation is different, so treat this as a starting point. Where this answer refers to Victorian safety or rental rules, the sources above have the current requirements.