KitchenAid Dishwashers Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes: How to Fix It Yourself
If your KitchenAid dishwasher washes fine but leaves dishes wet at the end, the most common reason is that you are not using rinse aid. Rinse aid makes a huge difference in drying. If you already use it, the heating element or vent may not be working properly. Let us walk through the checks.
⚠️ Safety First
- Turn off power at the circuit breaker before testing the heating element.
- The heating element gets very hot during a cycle — let the dishwasher cool completely before touching it.
Parts You May Need
Step-by-Step Repair
- 1
Check and fill the rinse aid
Open the dishwasher door and find the rinse aid dispenser (usually next to the detergent dispenser). If it is empty, fill it up with rinse aid (like Finish Jet-Dry). This is the most common reason for wet dishes — rinse aid helps water sheet off dishes instead of forming droplets. It makes a massive difference.
- 2
Use the right cycle settings
Make sure you are using a cycle with a heated dry option. Some eco or quick cycles skip the heated dry to save energy. Press the Heated Dry button if your model has one. Also, try the ProDry or Extended Dry option if available.
- 3
Check your loading
Plastic items do not hold heat well and often stay wet — this is normal, not a defect. Cups and bowls should be angled downward so water does not pool on them. Do not overload — air needs to circulate for drying.
- 4
Inspect the heating element
Open the dishwasher when cool and look at the bottom. You should see a circular heating element (it looks like the element in an oven). If it looks damaged, broken, or has visible burn marks, it needs replacing. You can test it with a multimeter — it should read 15–30 ohms of resistance.
- 5
Check the vent and fan
Some KitchenAid models have a vent on the door that opens during the dry cycle to let steam escape. Open the door right after a dry cycle and feel for warm, moist air near the vent. If the vent is stuck closed, it will trap moisture inside. Some models also have a small fan — make sure it spins freely.
If That Didn't Work
- Burned-out heating element
- Stuck vent or broken vent fan
- Faulty high-limit thermostat
- Using eco cycles that skip heated dry
When to Call a Professional
Try rinse aid and heated dry first — that fixes it 80% of the time. If the heating element is burned out, replacing it requires disconnecting the dishwasher's electrical connections — doable but not for everyone. A tech will charge $130–$220 for the repair.
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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional repair advice. All repairs are performed at your own risk. RepairItFree.com is not liable for any personal injury, property damage, device damage, voided warranties, or other losses resulting from the use of this information.
If you are unsure about any step — especially anything involving electricity, gas, water, or refrigerant — stop and consult a qualified professional. Your safety is more important than saving money.
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