Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes? Top 5 Fixes

Dishwashers are designed to make our lives easier. We put in dirty dishes and expect to take out clean, dry, sparkling ones. But what if your dishwasher isn’t doing its job? Improper drying is a common malfunction and can be incredibly frustrating. Instead of just putting away your clean dishes, you first have to hand dry each one. Thankfully, this fault is often relatively easy to solve—read on to find out the five most common solutions to this problem!

1. Check your dishwasher settings

The first thing to check if your dishes aren’t drying properly is also the simplest—your settings! Modern dishwashers have a variety of settings, and some use cooler temperatures and shorter cycles to save electricity. To ensure your settings are optimized for drying:

• Consult your dishwasher manual to learn how the settings work. This is particularly helpful if your dishwasher is new, as it will help you determine the best settings for your needs. 
• Check to see if your dishwasher has specific drying settings. If so, make sure you’ve selected the heated drying option. While your dishes may air dry without the heating option, it will take a lot longer, and they might not dry completely. 
• Check to ensure you haven’t accidentally selected the “eco” or energy-saving option on your dishwasher. These cycles prioritize using as little electricity as possible, which can mean drying is compromised. 

2. Use a rinse aid

If you’re not regularly using a rinse aid in your dishwasher, switching to using one can make a noticeable difference in drying. Rinse aid is a drying agent that reduces the surface tension of the water in your dishwasher, helping it slide off your dishes in sheets instead of coating them in droplets. While some dishwasher tablets come with a built-in rinse aid, using a dedicated rinse aid in the rinse aid compartment will yield better results. To successfully use a rinse aid:

• Check your dishwasher manual for instructions on using the rinse aid compartment in your particular dishwasher model. Many dishwasher models have a reservoir that you fill with rinse aid, which is then automatically dispensed during the rinse part of the cycle. 
• Make sure you keep the rinse aid reservoir topped up. The reservoir contains enough rinse aid to last several washes (often between 20 and 40 cycles). Most dishwasher models have a warning light that comes on when the reservoir is low, so pay attention to the display. 
• If you’ve been using rinse aid but have not seen results, check if you can adjust the amount used in each cycle. Releasing more rinse aid each time may improve drying. 
• Make sure you purchase high-quality rinse aid, as cheap products may not work as well. Many dishwasher brands recommend a particular product to be used with their appliances, so check your manual for recommendations. 

3. Ensure proper ventilation

Good ventilation is essential for thorough dish drying. If your dishwasher doesn’t allow moist air to escape, then there is nowhere for the moisture to go, and it will condense on your dishes. To ensure adequate ventilation:

• Check to make sure the vent system isn’t blocked or obstructed by cabinetry. If you’re unsure where the vents are, check your dishwasher manual. 
• When you load your dishwasher, make sure you don’t inadvertently block the vents with dishes, as this can prevent moist air from escaping. 
• Although this step shouldn’t strictly be necessary, you can try cracking your dishwasher door open as soon as the cycle finishes to allow the moist air to escape. Wait about half an hour before unloading the dishes to allow the moisture to fully evaporate. If this creates a lot of steam inside your kitchen, try cracking a window or running a fan to help disperse the moist air.

4. Ensure proper loading

Your loading method can impact how well your dishes dry. Incorrect loading can restrict airflow and prevent water drainage. It can also prevent proper cleaning. For optimal cleaning and drying:

• Make sure you don’t overload your dishwasher. Frequent small loads are preferable to one single over-large load. 
• Make sure all cups and plates are angled downwards to prevent water from pooling. This helps the water slide off and drain away. 
• Do not place your dishes too close together. This can restrict airflow and trap water and food debris. 
• Also, place plastic items like Tupperware on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Water tends to cling to plastic more than metal and glass, and placing them on the top shelf improves drying. It also ensures they are further from the heating element to help avoid melting and warping. 
• When loading, make sure the spray arms are not obstructed. Blocked spray arms can lead to water being concentrated in specific places in the dishwasher, causing uneven drying. 

5. Check the heating element

The heating element is located at the bottom of your dishwasher and is essential to efficient dish drying. If it’s broken or malfunctioning, your dishes won’t dry properly, even if you follow all the instructions in this guide. Inspecting and fixing a broken heating element is a bit more complicated than the other fixes in this guide, so only attempt it if you’re confident in doing so. 

• First, run a wash cycle and feel the bottom interior of the dishwasher. It should feel noticeably hot to the touch. If not, the element may be malfunctioning.
• If you feel confident doing so, unplug your dishwasher, locate the heating element, and test it with a multimeter to ensure continuity. If not, the element is faulty and needs replacing. 
• You can either purchase a replacement element and install it yourself or hire a professional technician to do the work.