If you’ve noticed that your dishwasher isn’t drying dishes as well as it used to, there could be a few different issues causing this problem. Here’s a look at some of the most common causes of dishwasher not drying dishes:
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Insufficient Water Temperature: The water temperature needs to be at least 120°F for the dishwasher to properly clean and dry your dishes. If the water temperature is too low, it won’t be hot enough to effectively break down food particles and dissolve detergent residue. To fix this issue, make sure your water heater is set to the appropriate temperature.
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Clogged Spray Arms: Your dishwasher relies on its spray arms to circulate hot water throughout the tub, which helps remove food particles and rinse away detergent residue. If the spray arms are clogged with food debris or other buildup, they won’t be able to do their job properly and your dishes won’t get clean or dry. To fix this issue, disconnect the spray arms and clean them with a brush or vinegar solution.
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Incorrect Loading: If you’re loading your dishwasher incorrectly, it can prevent water from reaching all of your dishes and prevent proper cleaning and drying. Make sure you’re loading items so that they don’t block any of the spray arms or interfere with water circulation in any way.
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Poor Ventilation: Your dishwasher needs good ventilation in order for moisture to escape during the drying cycle. If there isn’t enough air circulating in your kitchen, moisture can become trapped inside the tub, leading to wet dishes at the end of a cycle. To fix this issue, make sure you have good ventilation in your kitchen by opening windows or running an exhaust fan while running the dishwasher.
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Faulty Heating Element: The heating element is responsible for providing hot air during the drying cycle, which helps evaporate moisture from dishes so they come out dry at the end of a cycle. If your heating element is faulty or malfunctioning, it won’t be able to do its job properly and you may find that your dishes aren’t getting dried completely after a cycle has finished. In this case, it would be best to call a technician who can replace or repair your heating element as needed.