Frigidaire Dishwasher: not drying properly

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Frigidaire dishwasher is not drying properly, you may notice wet or damp dishes after a wash cycle. This issue can be particularly pronounced with plastic or concave items. Common causes include insufficient heat during the drying phase, blocked vents, improper loading, or the inherent difficulty of drying certain dishware types.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Frigidaire Models

Air Dry and quick wash cycles may not dry completely; Heat Dry or advanced drying cycles like Sahara Dry + rinse aid recommended.

Possible Causes

No or insufficient heat during drying

How to Identify: Dishes are cool or only lukewarm at end of cycle, especially on heating dry cycles; visible break or no continuity in element on multimeter

Part: Heating element or related wiring/relay

Blocked or malfunctioning vent / fan assembly

How to Identify: Moist air stays inside machine; vent does not open/close, fan doesnâ€™t run

Part: Vent door / vent fan motor

Overloading / improper loading

How to Identify: Items tightly packed preventing airflow; consistent wet areas where airflow blocked

Part: User loading technique

Plastic or concave dishware hard to dry

How to Identify: Plastics and bowls remain wet while other items dry

Part: Dishware type/material

DIY Solutions

Select correct drying cycle & refill rinse aid

Easy 5-10 minutes

Ensure Heated Dry (or PowerPlus/Sahara Dry) is selected on control panel
Open rinse aid compartment and refill per manual, adjust setting if available

Improve loading for airflow

Easy 5-15 minutes

Unload and reload the dishwasher with spacing between items
Ensure large items do not block vents or spray arms
Tilt bowls and cups so water can drain rather than pool

Test heating element continuity

Moderate 10-30 minutes

Tools Needed: multimeter

Disconnect power to dishwasher
Access heating element at bottom of tub
Use multimeter to check for continuity across terminals; if no continuity, element may be faulty

⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before accessing internal components

Professional Repairs

Replace heating element or wiring harness

Estimated Cost: $50 - $200 parts

Repair or replace vent / vent fan motor

Estimated Cost: $40 - $180 parts

When to Call a Professional

Heating element shows no continuity or visible damage

Vent door or fan is stuck or motor not running

Control board errors or complex electrical issues

Preventive Maintenance

Refill rinse aid and adjust levels: Poor drying from low rinse aid
Frequency: Each wash/start
Regularly clean vents and filters: Airflow blockages reducing drying performance
Frequency: Monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Frigidaire Dishwasher not drying properly?

Common causes include insufficient heat, blocked vents, improper loading, or difficulties with certain plastic items.

How do I fix Frigidaire Dishwasher not drying properly myself?

Select the correct drying cycle, refill rinse aid, and improve loading for better airflow.

How much does it cost to fix not drying properly?

Professional repair costs range from $40 to $200, depending on the issue and parts needed.

When should I call a technician for not drying properly?

If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if you suspect a faulty heating element or vent.

References & Sources

Dishwasher - Not Drying - Frigidaire Official
Why Isnâ€™t My Dishwasher Drying? Plus How to Fix It Repair-Blog

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

Inadequate water temperature due to a malfunctioning heating element
Blocked or dirty dishwasher filter preventing proper drainage
Improper loading of dishes blocking airflow

User Suggested Solutions

Check the heating element for continuity using a multimeter. If faulty, replace it. Ensure the dishwasher is set to a high-temperature wash cycle.
Remove and clean the dishwasher filter. Check for any debris or food particles that could block drainage.
Rearrange dishes in the dishwasher to ensure proper airflow. Avoid nesting items and ensure the spray arms can rotate freely.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

Frigidaire Professional with max boost

Community Discussions

dishes not drying properly, dishwasher not hot

Run hot water to sink before starting dishwasher and check water line connection.