GE dishwasher not drying

Why is my GE dishwasher not drying the dishes?

Poor drying performance in your GE dishwasher can be caused by basic operation problems such as:

• Improper dish loading.
• Not selecting the right cycle and/or cycle settings (such as heated dry).
• Not using rinse aid or rinse aid dispenser problems.
• Plastic dishes won’t dry because they don’t retain heat.
• Using the Auto Open Door feature or opening the door slightly after the cycle ends will help the dishwasher dry dishes better in many models.
• Low water temperature.
• Heating element failure.
• Defective electronic control board.
• Wiring failure.

Rinse aid dispenser problems

If your dishwasher isn’t dispensing rinse aid because you never need to fill that dispenser, you may need to replace the detergent dispenser.

Here’s a video that shows how to replace the detergent dispenser in a dishwasher:

If the rinse aid dispenser is working properly, check the additional issues discussed in this troubleshooting video for a dishwasher not drying:

Check water temperature

For dishes to dry properly in a dishwasher, the water temperature must be at least 120 degrees.

Here's how to check it:

1. Run the sink’s hot water from your kitchen sink faucet for 1 minute.
2. Fill a glass with the hot water.
3. Use a cooking thermometer to measure the water temperature in the glass.

If the temperature is around 120 degrees then the water supply going to your dishwasher is okay.

If it's less than 120 degrees, carefully increase the temperature settings on your water heater. Only make small, incremental increases in your water heater setting and don't set the water heater temperature above 120 degrees. This will help you avoid the risk of scalding when using the hot water in the bath or shower.

Checking other issues such as the heating element, electronic control board and wiring in your dishwasher is best left to a service technician with the right tools and expertise to diagnose dishwasher component failures. Schedule dishwasher repair service if you’re unable to find the cause of the drying problem on your own.

What to expect when you experience a GE dishwasher not drying issue

How is the not drying problem fixed?

Correcting most not drying problems usually involves replacing the heating element, electronic control board or wire connector. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher that is not drying

When the dishwasher is not drying it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.

What to look out for with a dishwasher not drying diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

When you need professional GE dishwasher repair near me to fix a problem, schedule an appointment with Sears Home Services.

GE Dishwasher Not Drying Well

When your GE dishwasher is not drying well, check the rinse aid dispenser and refill it if it is empty. The dishwasher needs rinse aid to help the dishes dry properly. Your GE dishwasher will dispense the rinse aid during the final rinse to help water sheen off the dishes so they will dry properly when the heating element turns on. If the rinse aid dispenser is full but its level never goes down, then the dispenser may need to be replaced. Have a Sears Home Services technician check the dispenser and replace it if it isn’t working.

Your dishwasher needs to be supplied with 120-degree hot water to dry the dishes properly. If dishwasher water supply temperature is too low, water won’t heat up and evaporate from the dishes well in the drying portion of the cycle. To check water temperature accurately, run the hot water faucet in your kitchen sink for 1 minute then fill a glass with hot water from the kitchen sink tap. Check water temperature using an accurate thermometer. If water temperature in the glass is lower than 110-degrees, carefully adjust the water temperature setting on your hot water heater. Don’t make large adjustments of your hot water heater temperature setting all at once because that can cause scalding if water from your water heater gets too hot. Make small adjustments and check water temperature as described above until you get the water heater temperature set properly.

Problems with the heating element can also result in your GE dishwasher not drying well. Shut off electrical power going to the dishwasher and check for visible damage to the heating element. Replace the heating element if it’s damaged. If you don’t see any damage to the heating element, have a service technician check your GE dishwasher that is not drying well. The technician may find a bad electronic control board, faulty timer, bad heating or drying failure contributing to bad drying performance in your GE dishwasher.
If your GE dishwasher leaves dishes dripping wet, the heating element or vent system might be at fault. Damp loads erode the time-saving aspect of automatic washing. Rather than hand-drying everything, call dishwasher service repair near me. A restored drying phase means plates and utensils exit ready to shelf.