Dishwasher Not Drying? Try These Fixes

Overloading the dishwasher or loading items incorrectly keeps your dishwasher from drying and cleaning efficiently. Your dishwasher manual may have diagrams of how you should load items for maximum drying and cleaning efficiency, but here are some key tips on loading a dishwasher for efficient drying:

• Space items so water runs off and warm air circulates during the drying cycle.
• Use the rack tines to keep items at an angle to improve runoff of the rinse water.
• Alternate spoons, forks and knives in the utensil basket to keep them from stacking together.
• Use built-in utensil separators, if available on your model.

See our article on how to load a dishwasher for more tips on loading for maximum cleaning and drying.

Different dishwasher models have different drying cycles:

• Heat-dry dishwashers use an electric element, much like one in an oven, to heat the air in the tub and dry dishes.
• Air-dry dishwashers use a fan to pull air into the tub to dry dishes.
• Condensation-dry dishwashers allow the moisture in warm air in the tub to condense on the walls of the tub and drain out of the dishwasher.
• Mineral-drying dishwashers rely on heat created in a chemical reaction between mineral granules and water.
• Some dishwashers have fan-assisted drying to boost other drying methods.
• Some dishwashers automatically pop the door open a couple of inches after the dry cycle to release moist air and reduce condensation on dishes so they dry better.

When choosing your setting, remember:

• Air-dry and condensation-drying cycles are more energy efficient than heat-dry options but don’t dry dishes as quickly.
• Heated drying warms air inside the appliance for faster, more thorough drying but the heating element consumes energy.
• Check to ensure the dishwasher is using the cycle you want. Some may default to the most energy-efficient option.

Rinse aids don’t just help keep spots off of your dishes, they help your dishwasher dry more efficiently. If your dishwasher is designed to use a rinse aid:

• Use the rinsing agent your dishwasher manufacturer recommends.
• Make sure the rinse aid dispenser is working correctly and isn’t blocked.
• Add rinse aid to the correct level each time you run the dishwasher.
• If your dishwasher doesn’t have a built-in dispenser, check the manual for alternatives for adding a rinse aid.

Our rinse aid guide gives you details on how and why to use these products in your dishwasher.

Dishwashers usually have a vent that allows moist air to escape. On some models, there’s a fan to assist with venting:

• The vent is often on the top of the dishwasher door on front-control models, but check your manual if you have a top-control dishwasher or can’t locate the vent.
• Check the vent to ensure it’s not blocked.
• If the vent has a cover or door, make sure it opens and closes smoothly.
• If your model has a fan and you suspect it isn’t working, contact a professional repair service to diagnose and correct the problem.

Heat drying requires an electric element like one you’d see in an oven, typically at the bottom of the tub. Like an element in an oven, the heating element in a dishwasher can stop working:

• Periodically inspect the heating element when you load and unload dishes.
• If you notice a break in the element or burned areas, it’s likely the element needs replacement.
• If your dishes aren’t warm or hot to the touch after a heat-dry cycle, the element is not working correctly.
• If the element isn’t drying correctly, contact a professional repair service to diagnose and, if necessary, replace the part.