Short answer
A dripping faucet almost always has a worn cartridge or rubber washer. Close the two shut-off valves under the sink, open the faucet to let the pressure out and cover the drain. Pop off the handle, remove the retaining nut or clip and pull the cartridge. Take it to the hardware store to get an exact match, put the new one in facing the same way and open the valves slowly.
How to fix a dripping faucet
1Drip after drip, even with the handle off
Water gets past a worn seal inside the faucet. It will not stop on its own, and it only gets worse.
Read all the steps
- Drip after drip, even with the handle off. Water gets past a worn seal inside the faucet. It will not stop on its own, and it only gets worse.
- Close both shut-off valves under the sink. Turn the two oval knobs clockwise until they stop. Then open the faucet to let out the pressure. The dripping stops.
- Cover the drain and pop off the handle. Lay a towel in the sink so no screw goes down the drain. Pry off the little cap, loosen the screw and lift the handle.
- Pull the cartridge and take it to the store. Unscrew the retaining nut or pull the clip, then pull the cartridge straight up. Take a photo first and bring the old one to match it.
- New cartridge in, then open the valves slowly. Set it in facing the same way, put everything back and open the valves a little at a time. Check hot and cold.
- Still not fixed? Call a plumber Especially if: the shut-off valves under the sink will not close, or they leak when you turn them.
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Two-handle faucets
Older faucets with two handles usually have a rubber washer at the bottom of each stem. Find which side drips (feel if the drip is warm or cold), unscrew that stem with a wrench and replace the washer and its brass screw. If the seat under it is rough, the drip comes back: a plumber can replace the seat.
What not to do
- Do not crank the handle harder to stop the drip. It crushes the seal and makes it worse.
- Do not pull the cartridge with the water on. Close the valves and open the faucet first.
- Do not buy a "close enough" cartridge. A wrong one leaks or mixes up hot and cold.
When to call a plumber
- The shut-off valves under the sink will not close, or they leak when you turn them.
- The cartridge is stuck and will not come out.
- It still drips with a new cartridge (the faucet body or seat is worn).
- Water leaks from the base of the faucet or into the cabinet.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my faucet dripping when it is turned off?
A seal inside the faucet is worn: the cartridge in single-handle faucets or the rubber washer in older two-handle ones. Mineral buildup can also keep it from closing all the way.
How much water does a dripping faucet waste?
A faucet that drips once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year, according to the EPA. The drip also wears the seat a little more each day.
Can I fix a leaky faucet without turning off the water?
No. Close the shut-off valves under the sink first, or the main water valve if there are none. Taking the cartridge out with the water on floods the sink.
How do I know which cartridge to buy?
Take the old cartridge to the store, with a photo of the faucet. The brand is often printed on the faucet or the cartridge, and the store can match it.
Is it better to replace the whole faucet?
If the faucet is old, corroded or still leaks with new parts, a new faucet often makes more sense. For most drips, a cartridge or a washer is enough.
Sources
Checked October 24, 2026. Requirements and recommendations change: confirm them on the source site.