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  1. Repair
  2. GE
  3. GE Dishwasher
  4. Dishwasher not drying

GE dishwasher not drying

Common reasons your GE dishwasher is not drying

The most common reasons your GE dishwasher is not drying are a broken heating element, defective electronic control board or a stripped wire connector.

  • 35%

    35% of the time it's the
    Heating Element

  • 27%

    27% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 8%

    8% of the time it's the
    Wire Connector

  • 30%

    30% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a GE dishwasher

    Heating Element Replacement

    Most dishwashers have a heating element at the bottom of the tub that helps dry dishwasher at the end of the cycle. Dishes won’t dry when a dishwasher has a broken heating element. Sometimes you can see cracks or damage on the heating element but damage isn’t always visible. When the heating element isn’t working and appears to be broken, schedule a Sears Home Services Expert to diagnose and repair your dishwasher.


    Electronic Control Board Replacement

    A dishwasher that is not drying dishes could have a defective electronic control board. The control board sends current to the heating element and fan (if your dishwasher has a fan) to dry the dishes at the end of the cycle. A failed relay or corrupted logic on the circuit board could prevent the control board from sending electrical current to the heating element and/or fan. Determining whether an electronic control board is defective is difficult. Have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the dishwasher when it is not drying dishes.

    Wire Connector Replacement

    When your dishwasher is not drying, a stripped wire connector between the electronic control board and heating element could be causing the problem. The electronic control board sends current through the wire harness to the heating element during the drying cycle. No electrical current will reach the heating element when a wire connector between those components is stripped. Also, a stripped wire on the user interface control can prevent you from selecting a heating option correctly. When the dishwasher isn’t drying, have Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the problem.

    What to expect when you experience a GE 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 having a Sears Home Services professional 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.

    When you need professional GE dishwasher repair near me to fix a problem, schedule an appointment with Sears Home Services.

    GE Dishwasher Not Drying Well

    When your GE dishwasher is not drying well, check the rinse aid dispenser and refill it if it is empty. The dishwasher needs rinse aid to help the dishes dry properly. Your GE dishwasher will dispense the rinse aid during the final rinse to help water sheen off the dishes so they will dry properly when the heating element turns on. If the rinse aid dispenser is full but its level never goes down, then the dispenser may need to be replaced. Have a Sears Home Services technician check the dispenser and replace it if it isn’t working.

    Your dishwasher needs to be supplied with 120-degree hot water to dry the dishes properly. If dishwasher water supply temperature is too low, water won’t heat up and evaporate from the dishes well in the drying portion of the cycle. To check water temperature accurately, run the hot water faucet in your kitchen sink for 1 minute then fill a glass with hot water from the kitchen sink tap. Check water temperature using an accurate thermometer. If water temperature in the glass is lower than 110-degrees, carefully adjust the water temperature setting on your hot water heater. Don’t make large adjustments of your hot water heater temperature setting all at once because that can cause scalding if water from your water heater gets too hot. Make small adjustments and check water temperature as described above until you get the water heater temperature set properly.

    Problems with the heating element can also result in your GE dishwasher not drying well. Shut off electrical power going to the dishwasher and check for visible damage to the heating element. Replace the heating element if it’s damaged. If you don’t see any damage to the heating element, have a service technician check your GE dishwasher that is not drying well. The technician may find a bad electronic control board, faulty timer, bad heating or drying failure contributing to bad drying performance in your GE dishwasher.

    What our customers say about us

    With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

    Thorough

    James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.


    Kirsten A, Oxford, PA

    Service Call

    Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!


    James G, Hillsboro, MO

    Daniel

    Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.


    Paul F, Hghlnds Ranch, CO

    Repair Dishwasher Resources

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Rinse Aid Dispenser Work?"
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    Learn how a rinse aid dispenser works in a dishwasher and how to troubleshoot problems.

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Dishwasher Air Gap Work?"
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    Learn how an air gap works in the drain system of a dishwasher.

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Portable Dishwasher Work?"
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    Learn how a portable dishwasher works.

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Recirculation Pump Work?"
    5 min readNov. 13

    Learn how a recirculation pump works in a dishwasher and how to troubleshoot pump problems.

    Glossary Terms

    Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

    A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.

    A furnace is a major appliance that heats air distributed throughout a home or building via a ductwork system.

    A furnace blower motor is a crucial component of a home heating system that drives the fan responsible for circulating air throughout the HVAC system and into the living spaces of the home.

    Additional possible GE dishwasher symptoms you may experience