Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes

What's happening?

A dishwasher dries mainly by heat and by rinse aid, which lowers the surface tension of the water so it runs off the dishes and evaporates. Bosch says to use a separate rinse aid even when tablets contain a small dose, because the detergent and the rinse aid are dispensed at different times. AEG says its ECO and BIO cycles dry passively and its 30-minute quick cycles do not have a drying sequence, so a wet result is normal on those. Overloading blocks the circulation of hot air. Plastics do not retain heat and dry poorly, according to Bosch. If the machine is not heating the water at all, that is a fault and needs an engineer.

What usually causes it?

• The rinse aid dispenser is empty, set too low or not being used
• An eco, bio or quick programme that dries passively or not at all
• Racks overloaded or dishes packed so heat and air cannot circulate
• Plastic items, which do not hold heat and stay wet
• Too much foam, which AEG says reduces the effect of the rinse aid and gives poor drying
• A heating element or thermostat that has failed, so the water is not heating

Is it dangerous?

No. Damp dishes are a nuisance, and a machine that does not heat the water may not clean properly either. If the machine is not heating, Bosch recommends booking an engineer visit.

Can I fix it myself?

Check the rinse aid dispenser and fill it to the max line without overfilling, as Bosch says, and raise the dose if it has a dial. Choose a programme with a drying phase rather than eco or quick. Load with space between items and plastics on the top rack. Open the door after the cycle to let moisture escape, and use the AirDry option if the machine has it. Use powder or liquid for quick cycles, as AEG notes some multi-tablets do not dissolve fully. If the dishes come out cold after a cycle, the water is not heating.

When should you call an appliance repair engineer?

Call an appliance engineer when the rinse aid, programme and loading are right and dishes are still wet, when the water does not feel hot at the end of the cycle, or when the machine is not heating at all.

What will the appliance repair engineer actually do?

• Check the rinse aid dispenser, the programme settings and the filter
• Test the heating element, the thermostat and the water temperature during a cycle
• Replace a failed element, thermostat or control part
• Clean the filter and spray arms, and check for limescale
• Run a full cycle and check the dishes are drying

Who fixes this

• Dishwasher repair

Questions people ask

Sources & References

1. AEG: dishwasher does not dry or dries poorly
2. Bosch: dishwasher not heating water or drying
3. Bosch: what is rinse aid for a dishwasher