Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes: Causes and How to Fix It
Updated · from manufacturer service documentation
Dishes coming out wet after a full cycle usually means the rinse aid dispenser is empty, condensation isn't being vented properly, or the heater isn't heating the rinse water enough — service documentation ties drying performance to all three, and only one of them (the heater) is a genuine part fault.
What Causes a Dishwasher Not to Dry Dishes
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY difficulty | Related part |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rinse aid dispenser empty | Most common | Easy — refill rinse aid | — |
| Condensation from the tub not vented (dishes left in overnight) | Common | Easy — use ventilation/Night Dry option | — |
| Extra Dry / high-temp options not selected | Common | Easy — select drying option | — |
| Wiring connection to the heater loose or damaged | Less common | Moderate — check connector | Wiring harness |
| Inlet water temperature too high | Less common | Easy — check hot water supply | — |
| Thermistor damaged | Less common | Moderate — multimeter | Thermistor |
| Heater not working | Less common | Moderate — multimeter | Heater element |
| Relay circuit or main controller fault | Rare | Pro repair | Control board |
How to Fix a Dishwasher That Isn't Drying, Step by Step
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Check the rinse aid dispenser
Per LG's documentation, when the rinse aid runs empty, the Extra Dry option is automatically selected to compensate — but if the dispenser has been empty a while, drying performance still suffers. Refill it.
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Select the Extra Dry option for a difficult load
This adds extra drying time and raises the heated rinse temperature — documented specifically for better drying performance on heavily soiled or hard-to-dry loads.
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If dishes sit in the dishwasher overnight, use Night Dry
Per the service documentation, steam inside the tub can condense back onto dishes left overnight, leaving them wet — the Night Dry option runs the ventilation fan periodically to vent that steam. It's on by default for most cycles except Normal, where you can add it by pressing and holding Extra Dry for 3 seconds.
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Let the post-cycle fan run its course
The ventilation fan runs for up to an hour after the cycle ends to aid drying — opening the door early interrupts this process.
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If drying is poor even with rinse aid full and Extra Dry selected, check the heater circuit
Per LG's HEATER ERROR diagnostic: verify the wiring connection to the heater, check that the inlet water temperature isn't abnormally high, test the thermistor, and confirm the heater itself is working.
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If the heater and thermistor test fine, the relay circuit or main controller may be at fault
This is a job for a technician.
Where This Comes From
Documented for the LG LDF5545ST and LDT7808ST dishwasher service manuals. LG's HEATER ERROR diagnostic (the same fault referenced on the AE/leakage page's related-codes list) covers the mechanical/electrical side of poor drying; the rinse-aid and ventilation factors above apply even when the heater itself is working perfectly, which is why most "not drying" complaints are resolved without any parts replacement.
See also: LG dishwasher AE, Dishwasher not cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my dishes wet even though the cycle finished normally?
Check the rinse aid first — an empty dispenser is the most common cause of poor drying, followed by condensation from dishes left in the dishwasher overnight without the Night Dry option.
Does opening the door right after the cycle affect drying?
Yes — the ventilation fan runs for up to an hour after the cycle to help finish drying; opening the door early cuts that process short.
What's the difference between Extra Dry and Night Dry?
Extra Dry adds drying time and raises rinse temperature during the cycle itself. Night Dry runs the fan periodically after the cycle to vent condensation from dishes left sitting in the tub — they solve different drying problems.
When is poor drying a real mechanical fault?
If rinse aid is full, Extra Dry is selected, and dishes still come out wet, check the heater circuit — wiring, inlet water temperature, thermistor, and the heater itself are the documented next steps before assuming the control board is at fault.
Based on the LG service documentation for the LDF5545ST and LDT7808ST dishwasher series. Last updated: .