Why Is My Dishwasher Not Drying my Dishes?

Reasons Why Your Dishwasher Might Not Be Drying The Dishes

There could be several reasons why your dishwasher is not drying the dishes. The dishwasher setting could go wrong, not enough rinsing aid, or defects with the thermostat. This requires a careful inspection of the dishwasher. 

To make your inspection easier, we have included every possible reason that is responsible for not drying the dishes. Let's get into them one by one:

1. Not Loading The Dishwasher Properly

There is this human urge to adjust a few left plates along with other dishes in the dishwasher so that the work can be done quickly. But the appliance doesn't think and work like that.

When dishes are not loaded properly inside the dishwasher, it doesn't dry out dishes well. Improper loading means putting dishes in excess quantities that are greater than the capacity of the machine. This only overcrowds the space and doesn't dry the dishes. 

There is another possibility for not drying the dishes and that is to place the dishes in the wrong angle. When dishes are wrongly placed in racks, the dishwasher can't dry them out because the air gets blocked. 

2. Dishwasher Cycle Setting Could Be Wrong

As technological advancements are rising day by day, manufacturers have brought a lot of options in appliances as well. The same thing with the dishwasher too. These days majority of the dishwashers have an in-built setting to not use heating mode. The reason is to save energy.

If you see the dishes coming wet or not dried, then there is a possibility that the heating setting is not on. When that mode is not in use the dishwasher doesn't dry out. 

Also, the heated mode may be turned off when using the "quick mode'" setting in the dishwasher. This also results in wet dishes. 

3. Rinse Aid Not Working Properly Or You Forgot To Use It

Here, one of the major reasons behind we dishes coming out wet could be that the rinse aid dispenser is not working properly. The dispenser helps to run off water droplets from the dishes by spreading water thinly. As a result, dishes dry out quickly with heated air. 

The problem with the rinsing dispenser happens when you have been using it without cleaning. The liquidy texture of the rinsing substance stays in the dispenser creating a blockage in there.

As a result, the rinsing aid is not able to spread the water evenly, and water forms into droplets. This way dishwasher can not dry out the droplets in dishes within the stipulated time. So, you can guess now why the dishwasher is not drying the dishes. 

Also, when you forget to use a rinse aid, the water droplets don't fall off the dishes as a result stay there. It becomes difficult for the dishwasher to completely dry out water droplets as a result the dishes come out wet. 

4. The Vent Could Be Blocked

The dishwasher generates heat to dry out the dishes. Generated heat produces steam which needs to escape from the dishwasher once drying dishes. There's a way for the steam to escape and that is called a vent. 

Usually, the vent is placed on the dishwasher door or the interior wall. Now the main problem comes when that vent is blocked due to gunk or debris which is collected there over time. 

The blocked vent stops steam from going outside and gets stuck inside the dishwasher. When the steam can not go outside the dishwasher, it starts to turn into water droplets which makes dishes moist. As a result, dishes don't get dried out.

5. Blocked Heating Element

Another possibility that causes the dishes to come out wet is a blocked heating element. This heating element generates heat that is useful to dry out the dishes. But when the element is blocked or not working, this becomes the main issue.

The heating element is normally built in the bottom part of the dishwasher. It may get blocked due to remaining food on dishes or any substances like that. Over time when the debris is not cleaned, this element gets jammed and is unable to produce heat and dry out the dishes. 

6. Old Or Worn Out Gasket

If the dishwasher you're using has been helping you for years, then the gasket might have become old. Or this could have gotten damaged. When it is worn out or damaged, the hot air goes out of the dishwasher.

Although, a gasket primarily helps to prevent the water from leaking but also opens up a way for heat to run away. This affects the heating temperature inside the dishwasher, resulting in improper drying of dishes.

So, check the gasket and its condition in your dishwasher if you're facing an issue with drying out the dishes. When you see water leakage from the dishwasher, know the gasket has worn out and needs repairing. 

7. Malfunctioning Of The Thermostat Or Sensor

After fixing the heating element and trying out the tips, if the dishes are still not dried out, you forgot the main thing which is the thermostat. This works to heat up the heating element to dry out the dishes. 

The thermostat may not work due to several reasons like faulty thermostat, electrical issues, or any other reasons. When it doesn't work the heating element also doesn't function despite the heating element being in good condition. 

Additionally, the thermostat may not operate if the sensor attached to it is malfunctioned. So, it is better to check both the thermostat and its sensor to know which malfunctioned. 

8. Hard Water Formation

When you keep using hard water to wash dishes in the dishwasher, the minerals get collected in the heating element and other parts of the dishwasher. Over time, this results in the amount of mineral gunk that is enough to block the heating element.

When this happens, it directly affects the heating element which obviously disrupts the drying process. 

How To Fix The Dishwasher If It Is Not Drying

Once you become aware of the reasons that were preventing the dishwasher from drying dishes, It is time to look for ways to tackle those issues.

Since you have been struggling to look for solutions on the internet, we have made things easier for you. Look for the given guidance to fix your dishwasher: 

1. Use Enough Rinsing Aid Or Check The Dispenser

Sometimes what happens is you either forget to add rinse aid or don't add enough, this also causes the dishes not to dry out. 

Also, add a sufficient amount of rinse aid to clean out the remaining water droplets in dishes. Frequently check the indicator on the dishwasher to know if the appliance wants more rinsing aid. Based on the indicator's sign, refill the dispenser if needed. 

Here's how you can clean the rinsing aid dispenser:

• First, power off the dishwasher and unplug it from the socket. This is to ensure your safety.
• Locate the rinse aid dispenser which is normally placed near the detergent dispenser.
• Open the dispenser cap by gently twisting it. 
• Look if there is any residue. If you don't see any clogs, there is no need to proceed with cleaning. However, in case of any buildup, move to the cleaning step.
• Clean the dispenser with warm water and vinegar. Mix water and vinegar in a 50-50 ratio. Pour the mixer into the dispenser and brush it off to scrub away residue after 3-5 minutes. If the dispenser can be removed, you can clean it by disassembling it from its place. 
• Once the cleaning is done, wash the dispenser with warm water until it becomes clean. Now, move towards washing the dispenser cap with that water-vinegar mixture and clean the cap.
• Lastly, reassemble the dispenser and cap to its place in case of a removable dispenser.  

2. Inspect The Heating Element

The faulty or malfunctioned heating element could be a reason for not working the dishwasher. In such cases, check the heating element carefully. Here is how to do it:

• First, turn off the appliance and unplug it from the socket. 
• Second, open the dishwasher door and check the heating element. Look for signs like breaks or cracks. If you see such signs, it needs a replacement. 
• In case you don't find any damaged signs, test the heating element using a multitester. This tool tests to ensure the power supply in the machine. If the tester shows a reading between 15 and 30 ohms, the heating element is fine. If the bar in the multitester doesn't move, then the heating element needs replacement. 

3. Inspect The Vent

A blocked vent may be one of the reasons why the dishwasher is not drying the dishes. So, properly inspect the vent. The vent is a way to allow the hot steam to escape after the work is done. But when it allows the steam to go during the work that becomes an issue. 

So, check the vent by opening its lid and if you see some collected debris then proceed to clean it out. Use a brush to remove the junk from the vent. Besides the vent, inspect the fan if it is attached to the vent. Clean out the fan too. 

After cleaning the vent along with the fan, if the dishwasher still does not work out then it is high time to call a repair person.

4. Check The Gasket And Replace If Needed

All dishwashers have gaskets. This is there to prevent the water inside the machine while doing the dishes. But when it is damaged or torn out, then the hot air escapes from the dishwasher through the gasket and also causes the leakage of water.

Here's a brief guide on how to check the gasket:

• First, turn off the power and remove the plug from the socket. Since safety is a must. 
• Then, open the dishwasher door to get access to the gasket. 
• After opening the door, locate exactly where the gasket is placed. Use the dishwasher manual to quickly locate it since the placement may vary based on the design of appliances. 
• Look for any signs of damage like tears, breaks, or cracks. If you see such signs then the gasket needs replacement. Otherwise, there is no need for replacement if no damage is found. 
• There may be the possibility of any dirt or debris. So, clean the gasket to prevent any further issues like leakage or potential damage. 

5. Check The Dishwasher Cycle Setting

The dishwasher functions but don't dry out the dishes. Here, the problem could be with its setting. While running the appliance, it is important to turn on the heating setting. This setting allows the dishwasher to generate heat as a result dry out the dishes. 

So, always adjust the setting to 'heating' when the machine is in use. Usually, this heating setting is automatically turned off due to the default setting set by the manufacturing company. They do this to prevent electric energy from overconsuming. 

Even when you plan to use "quick mode ", remember to turn on the heating setting. 

6. Test Thermostat

The malfunctioned thermostat may be the cause for not drying the dishes. First, locate where the thermostat is in your dishwasher. Usually, it is located close to the bottom of the dishwasher tub.

To test the thermostat, start by turning off the power. Find where it is built in your dishwasher. If it can be opened easily, then open it and test the thermostat with a multitester. 

While testing the thermostat, if the multitester shows a moving needle or the light as an indication that the thermostat is well. In case, the tester does not show any signs, it is an indication to call an expert to replace that thermostat. 

7. Load The Dishes Properly

When dishes are overloaded in the dishwasher, it doesn't dry them out. What you can do to manage this issue is to load the dishes as required.

There's a rack inside the dishwasher on which dishes are placed. So, you just need to place the dishes with some space among them. Don't try to adjust all the dishes at once. If needed, separate the dishes into two batches and put them in the dishwasher accordingly. 

Besides the placement of the dishes, their position also matters. Suppose you placed plates facing the front side down, the dishwasher won't be able to clean as well as dry out the plates. To resolve this, put the dishes in a good position which you can also read in the instruction section of the manual. 

8. Use Water Softener In Case Of Hard Water Used

You may not know but the use of hard water creates blockage in the heating element. This happens due to the high level of minerals in the hard water. Although, it is not possible to change the water you have been using for years. What you can do is to use a water softener. 

Water softener minimizes the content of minerals like magnesium and calcium in the hard water. This ultimately helps in producing less limescale deposits on the heating elements as well as other parts of the dishwasher.

As a result, the dishwasher will face fewer issues related to minerals-produced despotis and function well.

Dishwasher Drying Tips

There are some helpful tips that you can use to improve the function of the dishwasher. Here are they:

• If you have bigger dishes, don't put them with smaller ones. First. dry out the smaller dishes, then proceed to wash bigger ones. Because bigger dishes block the hot air and disrupt the drying process. This results in not drying properly.
• It is a good idea to check the water heater. This helps to adjust the temperature. Not setting the temperature to the required one also leaves the dishes wet. So, set the temperature to 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Once the drying is done, empty the bottom rack by removing the dishes from there before the top rack. This prevents water splashes from falling over the dishes in the bottom rack. 
• Leave the dishwasher door open to allow the hot steam or air to go after the job is done. This helps in cooling the machine quickly.