Kenmore Elite dishwasher not drying

Common reasons your Kenmore Elite dishwasher is not drying

The most common reasons your Kenmore Elite 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 Kenmore Elite 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.

Why won't my Kenmore dishwasher dry dishes?

Poor drying performance in your Kenmore Elite dishwasher can be caused by basic operation problems such as:

  • Improper dish loading.
  • Not selecting the right cycle and/or cycle settings (such as heated dry).
  • Not using rinse aid or rinse aid dispenser problems.
  • Plastic dishes won’t dry because they don’t retain heat.
  • Using the Auto Open Door feature or opening the door slightly after the cycle ends will help the dishwasher dry dishes better in many models.
  • Low water temperature.
  • Heating element failure.
  • Defective electronic control board.
  • Wiring failure.

lg-dishwasher-detergent-dispenser-part-image

Rinse aid dispenser problems

If your dishwasher isn’t dispensing rinse aid because you never need to fill that dispenser, you may need to replace the detergent dispenser.

Here’s a video that shows how to replace the detergent dispenser in a dishwasher:

If the rinse aid dispenser is working properly, check the additional issues discussed in this troubleshooting video for a dishwasher not drying:

Check water temperature

For dishes to dry properly in a dishwasher, the water temperature must be at least 120 degrees.

Here's how to check it:

  1. Run the sink’s hot water from your kitchen sink faucet for 1 minute.
  2. Fill a glass with the hot water.
  3. Use a cooking thermometer to measure the water temperature in the glass.

If the temperature is around 120 degrees then the water supply going to your dishwasher is okay.

If it's less than 120 degrees, carefully increase the temperature settings on your water heater. Only make small, incremental increases in your water heater setting and don't set the water heater temperature above 120 degrees. This will help you avoid the risk of scalding when using the hot water in the bath or shower.

Checking other issues such as the heating element, electronic control board and wiring in your dishwasher is best left to a service technician with the right tools and expertise to diagnose dishwasher component failures. Schedule dishwasher repair service if you’re unable to find the cause of the drying problem on your own.

What to expect when you experience a Kenmore Elite 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. Is your dishwasher not drying?

A Kenmore Elite dishwasher that ends with wet dishes typically faces heating element or vent issues. Manually drying everything is tedious. Rather than settling, book dishwasher service.

What our customers say about us

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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.

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Kirsten A, Oxford, PA

Service Call

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

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Daniel

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Elite dishwasher leaving dishes wet?
A burned-out heating element, failed thermostat, or a malfunctioning vent assembly can prevent proper drying.
How do I check if the heating element is operational?
Unplug the dishwasher. Test for continuity with a multimeter. If there's no continuity, replace the element.
Could a defective thermostat cause poor drying?
Yes, if it doesn't allow the heating element to reach the correct temperature, dishes will remain damp.
What if both the element and thermostat are working fine but drying is still an issue?
Inspect the vent assembly or fan (if equipped) to ensure steam can escape and facilitate drying.

Repair Dishwasher Resources

Glossary Terms

A dishwasher basket is a removable container designed to securely hold small items like cutlery and utensils during the wash cycle, ensuring efficient cleaning without loss or damage.

A dishwasher end panel is a finishing piece installed on the exposed side of a dishwasher, primarily when it is at the end of kitchen cabinetry, to ensure a seamless and aesthetically pleasing look in the kitchen.

A dishwasher diverter motor controls the direction of water flow to different spray arms within the dishwasher, ensuring optimal water distribution during each wash cycle for thorough cleaning.

A dishwasher drawer is a compact, space-saving kitchen appliance designed to clean dishes efficiently, resembling a standard kitchen drawer that slides out for easy loading and unloading.