LG dishwasher not drying

Why does my LG dishwasher not dry the dishes?

Poor drying performance in your LG 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 LG dishwasher dry dishes better in many models.
• Low water temperature.
• Heating element failure.
• Defective electronic control board.
• Wiring failure.

This helpful video shows how some of these key issues affect drying in your LG dishwasher:

Following the tips in this video may help you restore drying performance in your LG dishwasher.

If not, read on to get additional expert tips to resolve the drying issue.

Rinse aid dispenser problems

If your LG 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 an LG 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 LG 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 an LG 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 scheduling LG dishwasher repair with a local Sears Home Services professional who can 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.

An LG dishwasher that ends cycles with wet plates typically suffers from a broken heating coil or blocked vent. Manually toweling dishes each day erodes the convenience of your appliance. Instead, a short appointment for dishwasher appliance repair near me restores proper hot-air flow. Once fixed, your dishes emerge ready to shelf immediately.