It’s a common problem for homeowners to wonder: Why Does My Dishwasher Not Dry? Is it something we’re doing wrong? Or is it the dishwasher itself?
Dishwashers are supposed to make our lives easier, but what do you do when yours doesn’t seem to be living up to its end of the bargain? It can be frustrating, especially when you’re unloading a dishwasher full of wet dishes.
If your dishwasher isn’t drying dishes properly, don’t worry – you’re not alone.
In this article, we will explore some common reasons why dishwashers may not be drying dishes and offer some solutions to help get your machine back on track.
How Does The Dishwasher Work?
First, getting a firm grasp on how a dishwasher dries its contents before diving into potential fixes is important. Older types, especially those made in the USA, such as LG dishwasher, GE dishwasher typically include a bottom-mounted heating element in the shape of a circle or U.
At the end of the washing cycle, the element heats up, and a fan distributes the hot air throughout the machine, much like a convection oven. This successfully evaporates water but consumes a lot of energy, which is why most European and high-end American dishwashers now use condensation to dry dishes instead.
Condensation drying uses very hot water for the final rinse cycle, which causes the dishes, pots, and pans to get quite hot.
The condensation of water vapor from hot plates and utensils will form on the cooler interior walls and eventually drain out of the sink. If you think your old dishwasher-dries dishes are better than your new ones, you’re probably right. Compared to using a heat source and fan, this method is much quieter and uses much less energy.
Plastic dishware presents a unique challenge in condensation drying since plastic does not heat up like glass, metal, or ceramic, making it less effective at evaporating water.
10 Common Reasons Why Dishwashers Don’t Dry Dishes
There are many types of dishwashers on the market, but they all have one job: washing and drying your dishes.
Popular brands include:
- LG Dishwasher
- GE Dishwasher
- Bosch Dishwasher
- Whirlpool Dishwasher
- Maytag Dishwasher
- Kitchenaid Dishwasher
- Samsung Dishwasher
While most dishwashers will do a pretty good job at washing your dishes, not all of them are created equal when it comes to drying. In fact, some dishwashers may not dry your dishes at all! Let’s have a look at a few of the most frequent causes for this:
① Improperly Loaded Dishwasher
If your dishwasher isn’t drying, it could help to go back to the basics of loading it. Have you overloaded it? Are the plates at the right angle?
Perhaps they’re coming into contact with one another or with the movable components of the dishwasher. Are things toppling over and becoming flooded?
You may obtain the handbook for your dishwasher model online if you’ve misplaced the one that came with the appliance, and you should always give the spray arm a gentle spin before starting a cycle to ensure it isn’t clashing with anything.
②Warm/Hot Water Isn’t Being Passed Into The Dishwasher
If the water entering your dishwasher isn’t hot enough, it can adversely affect the dishwashing cycle and prevent the machine from drying properly. When entering the dishwasher, the water should be at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 degrees Celsius). You can test this by letting the kitchen tap run for a minute or two before starting the dishwasher cycle.
If you find that the water is still not sufficiently hot, there may be an issue with the water heater in your home. Inspect that the water heater is adjusted to the proper water temperature. If that’s the case, it might be time to call in an expert to have a look at your appliance.
③ Something is Blocking The Dishwasher Drain
A clogged dishwasher drain is a common cause of a malfunctioning dishwasher’s drying function. There are a number of potential causes for this, including the accumulation of food scraps or the accidental introduction of a foreign object.
If you suspect that your dishwasher drain is blocked, you should first check the drain for any obstructions. If you locate a blockage, you should use pliers or another tool to remove it carefully.
However, if the blockage remains, you may need to seek professional aid. In most cases, clearing the dishwasher drain will solve the problem, and your dishes will start drying properly again.
④ Dishwasher vents and fans
Vents with motorized lids are common in dishwashers, allowing hot air to escape. The dishes won’t dry properly if the vent doors don’t open all the way. Damage to the vent assembly necessitates its replacement. Most dishwashers include vents on the interior of the door.
A fan pushes the hot air out of certain dishwashers’ vents. The fan motor’s failure is the most common reason why a dishwasher will not dry the dishes.
Also, if the fan blade is broken, it won’t be able to circulate air as efficiently. Replacing a broken or damaged fan should solve the problem.
⑤ You opened the Dishwasher Door Too Quickly
If you’ve only seen this intermittently, perhaps your hurry in washing the dishes is to blame. Even opening the dishwasher fast to grab a dish you need can leave the entire load wet if the rinse cycle has just finished. If you open your dishwasher, a blast of moist air will rush in.
Condensation occurs again when the steam meets the warm air within. This moisture will collect on your dishes during the wash cycle and will likely remain there even after the dry cycle is complete.
There is no need to fix this. Try to be a little more patient the next time you need to open the dishwasher, or just get used to having damp dishes.
⑦ Dishwasher Settings
Check your dishwasher’s settings to ensure that you’re using the correct cycle for your needs. If you’re using the wrong cycle, it could affect the dishwasher’s ability to dry dishes properly. For example, if you’re using the delicate cycle when you should be using the normal cycle, your dishes might not come out as clean or dry as you’d like.
Furthermore, if you have plastic dishes in the dishwasher, you’ll want to ensure that the plastic setting is selected. This setting runs a shorter drying cycle and uses less heat, which helps to prevent plastic items from warping.
⑦ Failed Thermostat
Most major home appliances these days have built-in safety features to guard against potential malfunctions. High-limit thermostats are used as part of the dishwasher’s safety features. This apparatus keeps the dishwasher from getting too hot, which could cause a fire.
When the high limit thermostat is broken, the heating element loses power instantly. If this occurs at the start of the drying cycle, the dishwasher’s drying capacity may be compromised.
If the dishwasher’s heating element breaks or the high-limit thermostat fails to do its job, the appliance won’t be able to become hot enough to sterilize the dishes.
If the vent and heating element have already been tested, then it is time to see if the high-limit thermostat is working properly by testing for continuity. If the thermostat is faulty and the power is stopped to the heating element, your dishes, particularly the cups, glasses, and bowls, will likely not be totally dry by the time the dishwasher is done running.
Make sure the thermostat is working properly by testing continuity with a multimeter. When the thermostat stops working properly, it needs to be changed to a new one. As the last step after replacing the thermostat, a thorough cleaning should be performed to check for any lingering issues.
⑧ Broken Rinse Aid Dispenser Cap
Most modern dishwashers have a feature called a rinse agent that helps to speed up the drying process by repelling water from the dishes. Some dishes, particularly those in the top rack, such as glasses and cups, may not dry completely after washing.
The failure of the cap to open and allow the rinse aid to mix with the water and cover the dishes is likely to blame. You can avoid hard watermarks on glasses and silverware with the help of this coating.
If you think this might be the case, check the area surrounding the rinse agent filler container to make sure it can be opened without any resistance. Fix or replace the cap if it’s broken.
⑨ The Drain Pump Isn’t Working
When all else fails, and your dishes still come out wet, it’s probably because the dishwasher’s drain pump stopped working. This pump generates enough power to flush away the detergent and rinse water. If it’s broken, it will remove only a portion of the water. Either the pump is faulty or clogged.
When the cycles change, you should be able to hear the drain pump; if you don’t, or if you hear something much odd, then you should have this checked.
Unfortunately, checking the drain pump often necessitates disassembling the dishwasher and removing the appliance from the alcove in some models. This is the root of the problem. Therefore, you should probably have a dishwasher repair professional take care of it.
⑩ Defective Dishwasher Parts
If your dishwasher is still not drying dishes properly, other defective parts may need to be replaced. The most common culprits are the heating element and the timer. In order to determine if these components have failed, a continuity test can be performed using a multimeter. If so, it’s time for a replacement.
Other less common parts that can fail and cause dish-drying problems include the water inlet valve, the float switch, and the door gasket.
The best course of action is to contact a professional appliance repair specialist if you have already eliminated all of these possibilities and your dishwasher is still not drying properly. They will promptly identify the issue and implement a solution.
Final Words
Dishwashers are complex machines, and it’s often hard to figure out what’s wrong when they break down. Suppose your dishwasher isn’t drying dishes properly. In that case, there are a number of potential causes, from simple things like a full detergent cup to more serious issues like a defective timer or heating element.
The best way to figure out what’s causing the problem is to systematically check each potential cause until you find the one responsible. It’s likely that whatever the issue is, you can take care of it on your own.
However, if your dishwasher is still not drying properly after checking all these potential causes, it’s best to call a professional washer repair technician for help. They will have the ability to diagnose the possible issue at hand and provide immediate solutions fast enough.