Dishwasher Is Not Drying Dishes Properly

I suppose it’s not really instantly obverse is it? A dishwasher by its name alone tells you that it’s going to wash your dishes, but it does more than just that. After all, would there really be a point to a dishwasher if it didn’t dry the things you put in it as well?

I don’t think so and the majority of people probably agree, after all, who want to take all the pots out of a dishwasher only to dry them? A dishwasher is designed to save you time and you aren’t going to save much time if you have to dry all the pots, dishes and cutlery yourself, are you?

So, while it might not seem like your dishwasher not drying your dishes is a big deal, especially compared to more serious problems it’s something that you are sure to find to be a major inconvenience. And after all, you didn’t buy a dishwasher to only do half a job, did you?  So, if your dishwasher suddenly strops drying let’s find out what could be causing it.

The Heating Elements

Let’s start with what is probably the most obverse cause of your dishwasher refusing to dry the heating elements. Now the heating elements carry an important role in a dishwasher, but you need to be careful when testing them.

You can examine the wires under the tub by carefully removing the lower panel, but you should also inspect the elements themselves to see if they are damaged in some way. If nothing looks out of place but your heating elements still aren’t actually heating up, then you will need to call in an expert.

A professional dishwasher repair technician will be able to use a multi-meter to test the continuity in the elements and further investigate other issues. Make sure when you carry out your own inspections that the dishwasher is turned off as well.

The Rinse Aid Cap

Most commonly found around the inner door of your dishwasher the rinse aid cap might be a small component but without it, a lot of things can go wrong! So, if you suddenly find your dishwasher refusing to dry plates and pots then make sure you check out the rinse aid cap.

The rinse aid cap can get damaged in a number of ways the heat of repeated loads can sometimes cause them to warp as well. So, inspect it closely and see if it’s damaged, if it is then you’ll need to order a replacement. However, if you are lucky then the cap may simply have been knocked out of place, so all you might need to do is readjust it back into place.

The Thermostat

It makes sense if you have a dishwasher that won’t dry that the thermostat is likely to blame, doesn’t it? The high limit thermostat to give it its full name actually as a few different jobs in a dishwasher but its most important is that it acts as an essential safety device.

The high limit thermostat is designed to stop your dishwasher from getting too hot and if it malfunctions in some way then you guessed it your pots, plates, and cutlery won’t dry. To find out if your thermostat is working examine it carefully and see if you notice any damage.

The high limit thermostat can usually be found at the bottom of your dishwasher tub, examine it carefully and you will likely need to remove the lower access panel to see it. If it doesn’t look damaged in any way then it could be due to the age of your dishwasher. But to be absolutely sure you should call in a professional dishwasher engineer to test it.

The Timer

The timer is an essential component in a dishwasher but also one that can cause any number of different problems. The timer not working can cause a lot of problems and although it’s rare it can also cause your dishwasher to suddenly strop drying your pots, plates and other bits and pieces.

Unfortunately examining and testing the timer isn’t easy it will require the assistance of a professional, experienced repairman. If you have your own multi-meter and the know how then you might be able to test it on your own, but your best option is going to be to call in a dishwasher repair technician.

So, that’s a countdown of the common causes that could result in your dishwasher not drying properly. It might not be the most serious issue we’ve looked at but it’s one that can make using your dishwasher more of an annoyance than a time saver, so it’s important that you get it fixed as soon as possible.