If your dishwasher keeps leaving glasses spotty and dishes damp enough to drip on the counter, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve tested more dishwashers than I care to admit, and drying performance is one of the most common complaints people have. The good news is that most drying issues come down to something simple you can fix at home.
Drying issues are one of the most common frustrations people have with modern dishwashers, especially as designs shift toward energy efficiency
Below, I’ll walk through the most likely causes, what you can do about them, and when it might be time to call in a pro.
Start With This: Are You Loading It in a Way That Lets It Dry?
It might not sound exciting, but how you load the dishwasher plays a huge part in how well it dries. I learned this the hard way while testing a budget model that I swore had a “bad” drying system. Turns out I was stacking bowls too tightly and blocking airflow.
A few quick checks:
- Angle bowls so water can run off instead of pooling.
- Keep items from nesting inside each other.
- Leave space around plastics because they don’t retain heat.
- Make sure the top rack sprayer and vents are not blocked by tall items.
Most people don’t realize that dishwashers dry by moving warm air around. If the air can’t move, nothing dries.
You May Be Using the Wrong Drying Setting
Modern dishwashers try to save energy, which means many of them default to a “standard” drying cycle that’s not their most effective mode. If your dishwasher has any of the following, try enabling them:
- Heated Dry
- Extra Dry
- Extended Dry
- High-Temp Wash (helps with drying later)
If you’re curious how different wash and dry options affect performance, this breakdown of dishwasher cycle times explains what’s happening behind the scenes. In my experience, toggling Heated Dry alone fixes the issue for about half the people I talk to about this.
Plastics Stay Wet for a Very Normal Reason
If your plastic containers always come out damp, your dishwasher is not necessarily broken. Plastics don’t retain heat like ceramic or glass, so they never get warm enough to evaporate water during the dry cycle.
A workaround I use:
- Put plastics on the top rack.
- Add the Extra Dry setting when washing mostly plastic items.
- Crack the door open after the cycle finishes to let moisture escape.
If your dishwasher has a venting fan, plastics usually do better. But without one, a little dampness is almost guaranteed.
Rinse Aid Makes a Bigger Difference Than You Think
If you’re skipping rinse aid because you think it’s optional, definitely reconsider. Rinse aid helps water sheet off your dishes instead of forming droplets that cling and leave spots.
Some people switch brands and suddenly their dishwasher dries twice as well. I once tested three different rinse aids back-to-back, and there really was a noticeable difference in drying and shine.
If your dishwasher has a rinse aid adjustment dial, setting it a little higher can help with stubborn drying problems.
Check the Heating Element (If Your Dishwasher Uses One)
Many dishwashers, especially classic models, rely on a heating element at the bottom of the tub. If this part fails, the dishwasher won’t get hot enough to dry at all.
Signs the heating element may be the issue:
- Dishes feel cold at the end of the cycle.
- The dishwasher is taking longer than usual.
- You see visible water pooling on the bottom.
A heating element can burn out silently. You won’t necessarily smell anything. You can usually inspect it visually for breaks or discoloration, but testing it with a multimeter is more accurate.
If it’s damaged, this is one of the easier and cheaper dishwasher repairs.
Condensation Drying Doesn’t Work Well Without Hot Water
Newer dishwashers often use condensation drying instead of a heating element. Instead of blasting heat, they rely on physics. When the walls of the dishwasher are cooler than the dishes, moisture moves toward the walls and drains away.
This method only works if:
- You run hot water to the sink first so the dishwasher starts with hot water.
- You avoid plastics on the bottom rack.
- You unload bottom rack first so any residual water doesn’t spill.
If your hot water heater is set very low, your dishwasher may never reach the temps needed for good drying. The Department of Energy recommends around 120°F for dishwashers.
The Dishwasher’s Vent or Fan May Be Blocked or Faulty
Some dishwashers use a vent or fan-assisted drying system. If that vent can’t open, or the fan stops spinning, the dishwasher traps all the moisture inside.
Common signs:
- Steam pours out when you open the door mid-cycle.
- The dishwasher smells damp or musty.
- Dishes are drenched instead of just lightly wet.
You can usually find the vent on the inside door panel. Make sure nothing is blocking it. If the vent motor or fan is faulty, you’ll need a replacement part, but it’s a straightforward repair for a technician.
Hard Water Makes Drying Much Worse
If you have hard water, drying becomes a losing battle. Minerals cause water to cling to surfaces, leaving dishes wet and spotty.
If this sounds familiar, you may want to test your water hardness. Some dishwashers allow you to adjust internal water softening settings. Otherwise, using a rinse aid or adding a dishwasher booster product can make a huge difference.
When It Might Be the Dishwasher and Not You
Some dishwashers are simply better at drying than others. Models with heated dry elements or dedicated drying fans outperform condensation-only designs. I’ve used budget dishwashers that nail cleaning but consistently disappoint when it comes to drying.
A compact, Energy Star rated countertop dishwasher with 6 place settings and 8 wash programs, designed for small kitchens, apartments, RVs, and dorms. Great for anyone who wants full-size cleaning power without the space requirements.
If you’re shopping for a replacement, look for:
- A vented or fan-assisted drying system
- A stainless steel tub
- A heating element option
- Extra Dry or PowerDry settings
Quick Fixes You Can Try Today
Here’s the short list of things I tell people to try before calling a tech:
- Make sure rinse aid is filled.
- Switch to Heated Dry or Extra Dry.
- Run the faucet until the water is hot, then start the dishwasher.
- Adjust how you load bowls and plastics.
- Crack the door open for 10 minutes after the cycle ends.
- Check that nothing is blocking the vent.
These small steps solve drying issues for most households.
When to Call a Professional
If you’ve tried the fixes above and your dishwasher is still leaving dishes soaked, a repair tech is your best bet. Call someone if:
- The heating element shows visible damage.
- You suspect a fan or vent motor failure.
- The control board isn’t triggering the drying cycle.
- Water is pooling excessively at the bottom.
Repairs for these components are usually reasonable, and often cheaper than replacing the whole unit.
Final Thoughts
A dishwasher that doesn’t dry well is annoying, but it’s usually something minor instead of a major breakdown. Once you understand how your specific model handles drying, it’s easier to tweak your settings, habits, and loading style to get the results you expect.
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