Dishwasher not drying dishes
Dishwashers dry in different ways, and knowing which yours uses explains a lot.
Not urgent Wet dishes are a convenience issue only; there is no safety or damage risk in waiting to have it looked at.
What this symptom usually means
Dishwashers dry in different ways, and knowing which yours uses explains a lot. Older North American models use an exposed heating element and a fan-assisted vent. Many European-style and newer models (Bosch, Miele, some others) rely on condensation: the stainless tub cools faster than the hot dishes, water condenses on the walls and runs down. Some add a door that opens automatically at the end, or a mineral-based drying system. Condensation drying leaves plastics wet by design because plastic does not hold heat, and it depends heavily on rinse aid to make water sheet off.
So the first causes are usage: an empty rinse aid dispenser, a quick or eco cycle with no heated dry, dishes nested so water pools, and unloading before the drying phase finishes. If those are right, the possibilities are mechanical: a heating element that has failed (the tub will not be warm at the end of a heated cycle), a vent fan or vent door that does not open, a rinse aid dispenser that no longer dispenses, or a thermostat or control that skips the heat.
Checks you can do yourself
- Rinse aidFill the dispenser and, if the manual allows, raise the dosage setting a step. This is the single most common fix on condensation-drying models.
- Cycle and optionsSelect a cycle with heated dry, Extra Dry or Sanitize where available. Eco and quick cycles reduce or skip drying.
- LoadingAngle cups and bowls so water runs off. Do not nest items. Put plastics on the top rack and accept that they will hold droplets.
- Let it finishWait until the cycle is fully complete and, on condensation models, leave the door closed a few minutes or open it a crack and wait; steam has to condense somewhere.
- Water temperatureRun the kitchen tap hot before starting. Cool incoming water shortens the heat the dishes retain.
- Feel the tubAt the end of a heated cycle, open the door carefully; the tub walls and dishes should be hot. If everything is lukewarm, note that. It points at the heater.
Nothing above involves gas, wiring, refrigerant or removing panels.
What our technician checks
These need panels off, live electrical tests or a licensed trade, so they are left to the technician:
- Removing the tub floor or door panel to reach the heater, vent or dispenser
- Electrical tests of the heating element or fan
- Work on the household hot-water supply
Gas appliances, commercial equipment, and Thermador, Miele, Viking, Wolf and Fisher & Paykel appliances: $129 + tax.
Waived when you proceed with the repair. You get the cause, the price and our repair-or-replace verdict in writing before any work.
Repairs a technician may recommend
After inspection, not from the symptom alone.
Heating element replacement
When the tub is cool at the end of a heated-dry cycle and the element tests open. The technician also confirms the wash was heated.
Vent fan or vent door assembly replacement
When the fan does not run or the vent door stays closed on fan-assisted models, leaving steam in the tub.
Rinse aid dispenser replacement
When the reservoir stays full for months or leaks its contents into the tub at once.
Thermostat, high-limit or temperature sensor replacement
When the control cuts heat early or never enables it.
Control board replacement
When the heater and sensors test fine but the drying stage is never commanded.
Brands we see with this problem
Codes, parts and access differ by brand; the brand pages cover where the model label is and what to expect.
Cost, and whether to fix it
What the repair costs depends on the part, the labour and whether a second visit is needed for an ordered part; the written finding gives the total before any work. Our guides on what drives repair costs, dishwasher repair costs and repair versus replacement explain how to weigh it.
Who to call
RepairWell diagnoses and repairs this in homes and businesses across Ottawa and Gatineau; the diagnostic ($89 + tax at home, $129 + tax for a business) is waived when you proceed with the repair. If the dishwasher is still under the manufacturer's warranty, contact the manufacturer first: warranty repairs usually have to go through their authorized network.
When to book
Book when the dishes are wet on a heated cycle with rinse aid topped up and the dishes loaded with space between them, or when the tub itself is cool at the end of a heated cycle. If plastics are the only wet items on a condensation-drying dishwasher, that is normal and does not need a visit. The diagnostic is $89 + tax, waived if you proceed. If you are unsure which drying system your model uses, tell us the model number and we will say before booking. Dishwasher repair covers the rest.
We handle this across Ottawa and Gatineau
Related problems
Dishwasher not drying dishes: questions
My new Bosch leaves water on the plastics. Is it faulty?
Almost certainly not. Condensation drying relies on dishes holding heat, and plastic does not. Rinse aid and an Extra Dry option help; some droplets on plastics are expected.
Does rinse aid really matter?
Yes. Manufacturers list it first for drying problems. It lowers surface tension so water sheets off instead of beading, which matters most on condensation-drying models.
The dishes are dry but the tub and door are wet. Is that a problem?
On condensation models, no; that is where the water is meant to end up. On fan-vented models, puddles on the inner door can mean the vent is not clearing steam.
Can a dishwasher stop heating and still wash?
Yes. Many models finish the cycle with cool water, so the first symptom is wet, sometimes greasy dishes rather than a fault code.
Sources
Sources checked 2026-09-24.
Book the diagnostic
Tell us this symptom and your postal code; it helps us bring the right parts.
Pick a preferred day and arrival window online; we confirm by email once a technician is assigned.
- $89 + tax diagnostic$129 + tax for gas or commercial appliances and for Thermador, Miele, Viking, Wolf or Fisher & Paykel; waived when you proceed with the repair
- Written finding on every visitCause, price and our repair-or-replace verdict
- 90-day warrantyOn parts replaced; labour depends on the work done