Last Updated on May 25, 2022 by

Kitchenaid Dishwasher Not Drying?  The Kitchenaid dishwasher helps wash our dishes and ease the stress of also drying them. When it quits operating, however, everyone in the house is inconvenienced.

One of the numerous issues that the Kitchenaid dishwasher might have is that it does not dry the dishes. Although it seems to be a straightforward stage in the procedure, many circumstances might contribute to this issue.

When a Kitchenaid dishwasher fails to dry correctly, it’s usually due to the machine failing to cycle effectively. Other typical problems include vents that do not open, the heating element not functioning, and the Rinse Aid dispenser not being utilized effectively.

Reasons Your Kitchenaid Dishwasher Is Not Drying

Many customers are surprised to learn that Kitchenaid dishwashers do not dry as effectively as they could at first. It may take a few weeks for your new dishwasher to reach its maximum drying capacity. If your new Kitchenaid dishwasher isn’t drying, the first thing you should do is wait it out. After a week or two of operation, you may notice that your dishes are dry.

Another prevalent problem, which will be addressed in greater detail in the following situations, is that the cycle is not complete. When you open the door before the cycle is finished and then shut it without pushing the start button, the dishwasher might linger during the cycle.

Another typical problem is that the heat dry is not switched on. It is not switched on by default in many Kitchenaid dishwashers, and it will not work if you choose the rapid wash mode. Some of the typical problems with a Kitchenaid dishwasher not drying are listed below. In many circumstances, the remedy is straightforward yet is often missed.

Kitchenaid Dishwasher Not Drying

1. Overcrowding Dirty Dishes

Overloading your dishwasher is one of the most prevalent causes of damp dishes. Too many dishes in the dishwasher restrict ventilation. The dishwasher’s vents, fan, and hot, dry features will be less efficient if there isn’t enough area for air circulation. To avoid overpopulation, provide adequate space between each item so that none contacts them. Here are some rack-by-rack loading suggestions that can help with drying:

• Upper Rack: Put bowls, cups, and glasses on the upper rack. For optimum drainage, load objects upside down and at an angle.
• Bottom Rack: The bottom rack is for plates and serving utensils. Place one dish in each slot, leaving enough space between them. Remove big food particles before filling the dishwasher since a blocked drain will prevent water from draining.
• Silverware Basket:You may avoid nesting by switching forks and spoons next to each other in the silverware basket.

2. Dishwasher by KitchenAid Does Not Heat Dry

Although drying dishes without heat is undoubtedly feasible, it is a faster and more convenient method. The dry heat option dries the dishes completely and eliminates the danger of watermarks.

When you suspect the heating element is broken, the first thing you should do is inspect the dishes after the cycle. When the heating element isn’t working correctly, the dishes won’t be dry and won’t be warm to the touch right after the cycle is over.

Element for Heating: Some dishwashers employ a heating element to keep the machine warm during the drying stage. The dishwasher will not dry the dishes adequately if the heating element fails. Use a multimeter to check for continuity to see whether the heating element has burnt out. Replace the heating element if it does not have continuity.

Examine the Control Panel: Is the heat-dry option selected? This feature is not enabled by default in many Kitchenaid dishwashers. It will stay on after turning it on until you turn it off or the dishwasher is hard cycled (no power for 1 minute or longer).

Check the Washing Machine Settings: Do you have an express wash option? The dry heat cycle is often not activated by any express or rapid wash settings. The same may be said for the rinse and hold method, which does not need the dishes to be dried.

If you’ve confirmed that the dry heat setting is on and that you’re running a regular or heavy cycle, there might be another problem.

Dishwasher should be reset: You may try restarting the dishwasher before looking at some interior components. This may be accomplished by disconnecting the dishwasher for one minute or turning off the circuit breaker if the dishwasher is hardwired. It will be reset when you switch it back on.

3. Kitchenaid Dishwasher Doesn’t Dry Dishes

Is The Last Cycle Completed? Before we start ripping things apart or going down on her hands and knees to peek inside the dishwasher, make sure the cycle has been completed entirely.

If you open the door before the cycle is finished, the dishwasher has a memory and will continue to start at that point in the future. It may even prevent the dishes from drying properly.

Unplug the dishwasher or turn off the circuit breaker for one minute to reset it, then plug it back in. The next time you use the dishwasher, it should start at the beginning of the cycle.

Examine the Vent: Another problem that might prevent the dishwasher from drying the dishes is if the vent is jammed. The vent enables the dishwasher’s hot, damp air to escape. The dishwasher will continuously cycle the hot, wet air if it is stuck in the closed position or is not performing correctly.

You may try manually opening the vent when you’ve found it. If it’s stuck, physically opening it a few times may free things up enough to work again. If it is not opening, anything may be preventing it.

Check the Vent Fan Motor: Most modern KitchenAid dishwashers include a vent fan motor. The vent fan aids in the removal of damp air from the dishwasher, allowing the dishes to dry more quickly.

Try turning the fan blade by hand after disconnecting the dishwasher. A multimeter may also be used to verify the motor’s continuity. It may need to be replaced if it is not working correctly.

Inspect the Heating Element: Another consideration is that the heating element may be damaged. Using a multimeter, check for continuity and replace if required.

4. KitchenAid Dishwasher Not Drying Vent

The vent may seem to be a minor component of the machine, but it may significantly impact whether or not the dishes dry correctly. Many folks are completely unaware that there is a vent. The vent’s only function is to prevent damp, warm air from the dishwasher from escaping, allowing the dishes to dry.

The damp air will continue to circulate within the dishwasher if the vent is not operating correctly. The dishes will dry, but it may take a long time, or they may not get entirely dry before the cycle is finished.

A fan motor is included in many KitchenAid dishwashers to push heated air out of the machine. The dishes will not dry during the standard cycle if the fan motor is not operating.

By disconnecting the dishwasher and manually running it, you may inspect the vent. A multimeter and continuity testing may be used to inspect the vent motor. The vent or vent motor should be changed if it is not working correctly. That should solve the problem.

When your KitchenAid dishwasher is working correctly, it is an essential feature of your kitchen. You can keep the dishwasher running for many years by monitoring any little faults that arise along the road.

5. Unloading Clean Dishes Out Of Order

Do you start with the top rack of your dishwasher? This may be why your KitchenAid dishwasher isn’t drying your dishes—unloading the top rack before the bottom causes any remaining water to drip into the lower rack, rewetting dry objects.

Always empty the bottom rack first while unloading the dishwasher. Any residual water on goods on the top rack will fall into an empty rack below.

6. Plastic Does Not Dry Quickly

Many dishwashers utilize condensation drying, which uses the heat received by each item to cause water droplets to glide off dishes and glasses. On the other hand, plastic does not retain heat as effectively as other materials such as glass or ceramic. As a result, condensation drying for plastic goods is less successful, leaving them moist after the drying cycle. We recommend minimizing the quantity of plastic in the dishwasher for drying dishes or hand washing them instead.

7. Dishwasher Rinse Aid Isn’t Being Used

Rinse aid is a liquid given to the dishwasher to help it dry faster. This crucial component lowers the surface tension of water droplets, allowing them to flow off dishes and improve drying easily. Fill the dishwasher’s specified rinse aid dispenser to the top before beginning a wash cycle. If your dishes are still wet, consult your user handbook to determine the appropriate quantity of rinse assistance. Most dispensers may be altered to accommodate additional people if necessary.

Conclusion on Kitchenaid Dishwasher Not Drying? 

When your dishwasher doesn’t dry, it’s usually due to overcrowding or improper loading. Learn the appropriate loading procedures and other simple interventions that may help when your KitchenAid dishwasher isn’t drying. While a component failure might cause a KitchenAid dishwasher not to dry dishes, most of the time, it’s due to improper usage and upkeep.