Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes

Low or Empty Rinse Aid

The most common cause. Without rinse aid, water clings to dishes in droplets rather than draining away cleanly. Check the rinse aid indicator on the control panel and top up if low.

Rinse Aid Dosage Set Too Low

Even with rinse aid present, if the dosage setting is too low the machine will not dispense enough to be effective. Most dishwashers allow the dosage to be adjusted — increase it one step at a time.

Wrong Programme Selected

Shorter or eco programmes use lower temperatures during the final rinse, which means less residual heat for drying. For best drying results use a programme with a higher final rinse temperature.

Plastic Items Retaining Water

Plastic does not retain heat the way ceramic, glass or metal does, so it dries much less effectively. Water pooling on the concave surfaces of plastic containers is normal and does not indicate a fault.

Door Opened Too Soon

Opening the door immediately after the cycle ends releases the steam that contributes to drying. Leaving the door closed for 15 to 30 minutes after the cycle allows dishes to dry more thoroughly.

Faulty Heating Element

If the heating element has failed, the water will not reach the temperature required for effective drying. This is less common but requires professional diagnosis and replacement.

Top Up the Rinse Aid

Fill the rinse aid dispenser and increase the dosage setting by one level. Run a cycle and check whether drying improves before adjusting further.

Select a Hotter Programme

Use a programme with a higher temperature for the final rinse. Avoid eco programmes if drying performance is the priority — they are designed to save energy, not maximise drying.

Leave the Door Closed After the Cycle

Wait at least 15 to 30 minutes after the cycle ends before opening the door. The trapped steam continues to dry dishes after the cycle completes.

Unload the Bottom Basket Last

Always unload the top basket first. Water that has pooled on concave items in the top basket will drip onto items in the bottom basket if the bottom is unloaded first.