Dishwasher not drying: causes and fixes
Dishes coming out wet isn't always a fault: your machine's drying method and the rinse aid play a decisive role, particularly on recent condensation-drying models.
The causes, from most to least common
Check them in this order: the first ones are free and solve the majority of cases.
- 1
Rinse aid empty or badly dosed
very commonHow to check: Check the reservoir and the dosage setting (often 1 to 6). Without rinse aid, water doesn't sheet off and stays as droplets.
Fix: Fill the reservoir and turn the dosage up one notch.
EasyEstimated cost: 5 to 10 € - 2
Eco or quick programme selected
very commonHow to check: Eco and quick programmes deliberately dry very little to save energy.
Fix: Use a normal or intensive programme, or switch on the extra-dry option if there is one.
EasyEstimated cost: 0 € - 3
Plastics and dishes badly loaded
commonHow to check: Plastic holds water (it barely heats up), and any hollow facing upwards fills with water.
Fix: Angle containers, put plastics on the top rack, and leave the door ajar for 10 minutes at the end of the cycle.
EasyEstimated cost: 0 € - 4
Drying element or fan failed
less commonHow to check: On a machine with active drying, the dishes come out cold and soaked even on the intensive programme.
Fix: Diagnosis and replacement by a repairer.
ProfessionalEstimated cost: 100 to 200 €
If you take this out-of-warranty dishwasher to a QualiRépar-certified repairer, 50€ comes off the invoice.
| Repair by a professional | 100 to 200 € |
| Repair bonus deducted | - 50 € |
| What you pay | 50 to 150 € |
Indicative estimate: the real price depends on the part, the model and the call-out. The bonus can never exceed the invoice total.
How to claim the repair bonus →When to call a professional
Only call a professional if the dishes come out cold and soaked on the intensive programme with rinse aid correctly dosed. In every other case, a settings change is enough.
Find a repairer near you →Frequently asked questions
Why does plastic never dry in the dishwasher?
Plastic stores very little heat: it cools immediately and water stays on it as droplets, unlike glass and china. Put plastics on the top rack and leave the door ajar at the end of the cycle.
Is rinse aid essential for drying?
On most dishwashers, yes. It lowers the surface tension of the water, which then sheets off instead of beading. Without it, even a good drying cycle leaves streaks and moisture.
Your dishwasher may be nearing the end of its life: a dishwasher lasts 8 to 12 years. Beyond that, an expensive repair is harder to justify.