Samsung dishwasher not drying

Common reasons your Samsung dishwasher is not drying

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

  • 58%

    58% of the time it's the Heating Element

  • 21%

    21% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board

  • 9%

    9% of the time it's the Wire Connector

  • 12%

    12% of the time it's the Something else

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Most common repairs needed to fix a Samsung 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 Samsung dishwasher dry the dishes?

A failed heating element is the leading cause of a Samsung dishwasher not drying the dishes. Not using rinse aid and loading issues can also inhibit drying.

View this helpful video to see more information about dishwasher drying problems:

Follow the troubleshooting tips in that video to help find and fix the cause of the drying failure in your Samsung dishwasher.

kitchenaid-dishwasher-heating-element-removal-image

Testing the Dishwasher Heating Element

The heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher tub heats water during the wash and rinse cycles and air during the heated drying cycle.

Check the heating element and replace it if you see physical damage such as a cracked or broken element.

If you see no physical damage, you can test the element using a multimeter.

Access the heating element as shown in this safe DIY video:

Measure resistance through the element using a multimeter. You should measure between 10 and 40 ohms through the element.

If you measure no continuity through the element, replace it as shown in the above video.

If these tips don’t help you fix the problem with your Samsung dishwasher not heating, then a bad electronic control board or wiring failure could be causing the problem. You’ll likely need to have a service technician check the dishwasher for these failures.

What to expect when you experience a Samsung 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.

If your Samsung dishwasher consistently leaves dishes wet, a faulty heating element or vent may be preventing proper drying. That extra moisture undermines the convenience of automated dishwashing. Instead, a dishwasher technician near me can pinpoint the source. Restoring a hot, ventilated final rinse ensures each plate dries completely.

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn’t my Samsung dishwasher drying?
Check if the heating element is working, ensure the dishwasher is properly vented, and verify that the drying cycle is selected.
Could a malfunctioning heating element prevent my Samsung dishwasher from drying?
Yes, if the heating element is damaged, the dishwasher will not dry the dishes properly. Replacing the heating element will fix the issue.
How do I fix my Samsung dishwasher if it’s not drying?
Inspect the heating element, verify proper ventilation, and ensure the drying cycle is selected.
What causes my Samsung dishwasher to not dry?
A broken heating element, improper ventilation, or a faulty drying cycle setting can prevent the dishwasher from drying the dishes.

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Glossary Terms

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.

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.