Search guides

Fix a dishwasher that will not dry dishes

We'll confirm the symptom, check the heating element and vent, use rinse aid, and improve loading—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home appliances
10–30 min
What you'll need
  • Rinse aid (if not used)
  • Multimeter (for heating element continuity test)
  • Replacement heating element or vent fan (if tests show a fault)
Step 1 of 11

Quick triage — pick your path

Get started

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

Show full guide

Steps

Goal: Get dishes dry—check rinse aid, loading, heating element, and vent.

Rinse aid, heat dry, and loading

Goal: Use rinse aid, enable heat dry, and load dishes so water drains off.

Use rinse aid and enable “Heat dry” or “Dry” in the cycle settings. Load dishes so water drains off. Avoid blocking the vent.

Good: Rinse aid in use, dishes angled for drainage.
Bad: Add rinse aid or reload—retry.

Heating element

Test the heating element for continuity. Replace if faulty. The element heats the final rinse water and the dry air.

Good: Element has continuity and no visible damage.
Bad: Replace the element—retry.

Vent

Clear the vent of blockage. Check that the vent fan runs during the dry phase. Replace the fan if it has failed.

Good: Vent clear, fan runs.
Bad: Clear or replace—retry.

When to get help

Call an appliance technician if you have replaced the heating element and vent fan and the dishwasher still does not dry, or if you are not comfortable with the repairs.

Verification

  • Dishes come out dry or mostly dry after the cycle.
  • No standing water on dishes.
  • Vent allows moist air to escape during drying.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Rinse aid and loading Check rinse aid; load dishes so water drains; avoid blocking vent.
  2. Heat dry option Confirm heat dry is enabled in cycle settings.
  3. Heating element Test and replace heating element if faulty.
  4. Vent and fan Clear vent blockage; test or replace vent fan if needed.
  5. Call a pro Repeated failures or not comfortable with repairs—call a technician.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Dishwasher model and brand
  • Whether rinse aid is used
  • Whether heat dry is enabled
  • Heating element and vent fan test results
  • Steps already tried

Do dishes come out wet after the cycle?

Drying uses heat and vent. Check rinse aid, loading, heating element, and vent.

Run a cycle with heat dry. Check dishes when done. Good: dishes wet—follow this guide. Bad: different problem—check the specific symptom.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is rinse aid used and heat dry enabled?

Rinse aid and heat dry improve drying.

Check rinse aid dispenser. Confirm heat dry is on. Good: both set. Bad: add rinse aid or enable heat dry—retry.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Add rinse aid and enable heat dry, then retry

Add rinse aid. Enable heat dry in cycle settings. Run a cycle.

Add rinse aid to the dispenser. Enable "Heat dry" or "Dry" in the cycle settings. Run a cycle. Good: dishes drier. Bad: still wet—check loading.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Are dishes loaded so water can drain?

Blocked vent or nested items trap water.

Angle cups and bowls. Avoid blocking vent. Good: water drains off. Bad: reload—retry.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Reload dishes and retry

Angle cups and bowls. Avoid blocking the vent. Run a cycle.

Reload dishes so water can drain off. Avoid blocking the vent. Run a cycle. Good: dishes drier. Bad: still wet—check heating element.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is the heating element working?

Test for continuity. Replace if faulty.

Inspect heating element. Test continuity. Replace if faulty. Good: element works. Bad: replace element—retry.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Replace heating element and retry

Replace the heating element with an exact match. Run a cycle.

Replace the heating element with an exact match. Run a cycle. Good: dishes drier. Bad: still wet—check vent, or call a pro if not comfortable.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is the vent clear and fan working?

Blocked vent or failed fan reduces drying.

Clear vent. Check fan. Good: vent clear, fan runs. Bad: clear or replace—retry.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Clear vent or replace fan, then retry

Clear vent blockage. Replace vent fan if failed. Run a cycle.

Clear the vent of blockage. Replace the vent fan if it has failed. Run a cycle. Good: dishes drier. Bad: still wet—call a pro.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Dishes drying?

Dishes are drying. No further action needed.

Done

Call a pro

Call an appliance technician if you have replaced the heating element and vent fan and the dishwasher still does not dry.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a dishwasher not dry dishes?
Common causes: a failed heating element (used during final rinse and dry), a blocked or failed vent, no rinse aid, or poor loading that traps water. Check the heating element and vent first.
Can I fix a dishwasher that will not dry myself?
Yes. Most drying issues are rinse aid, loading, or a blocked vent. Replacing the heating element or vent fan is possible on many models if you are comfortable with disassembly. If you are unsure, call a technician.
When should I call a technician for a dishwasher that will not dry?
Call a technician if you have replaced the heating element and vent fan and it still does not dry, or if you are not comfortable working with electricity or disassembling the dishwasher.

Rate this guide

Was this helpful?

Continue to