Kenmore Dishwasher: not drying

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Are your dishes still wet after a cycle in your Kenmore dishwasher? This issue is common and can stem from insufficient rinse aid, improper loading, or even a clogged drain. Plastics tend to retain moisture more than other materials, making it essential to address the drying problem effectively. Discover the top causes and solutions to ensure your dishes come out perfectly dry every time.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Kenmore Models

  • Some models rely on a vent fan motor; failure of this fan specifically hinders drying
  • Control board or timer may stop heating element from activating even after part replacement

Possible Causes

Insufficient or absent rinse aid

How to Identify: Rinse aid level indicator empty or low; consistent wet dishes across cycles even with proper settings

Part: Rinse aid dispenser/usage

Improper loading and cycle selection

How to Identify: Wet dishes correlate with overcrowding, incorrect cycle (e.g., quick wash with no heat dry, plastics not angled to drain

Part: User operation/settings

Clogged drain or residual water after cycle

How to Identify: Standing water remains in bottom after cycle, damping dishes

Part: Drain/filter assembly

Faulty high‑limit thermostat or control board

How to Identify: Heating element not activated due to control failure; requires electrical diagnosis

Part: Thermostat/control electronics

DIY Solutions

Refill and adjust rinse aid

Easy 5-10 minutes
  1. Open dishwasher door and locate the rinse aid dispenser usually next to detergent tray
  2. Check level and fill to recommended line with rinse aid
  3. Adjust dispenser setting if dishwasher allows (higher in hard water areas)

Clean vents and ensure airflow

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: soft brush, flashlight
  1. Turn off power to dishwasher
  2. Locate drying vent (check manual for Kenmore model specifics)
  3. Clear debris and residues around vent opening using brush and cloth
  4. Ensure vent louver opens freely
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before working inside appliance

Proper loading and cycle selection

Easy varies
  1. Do not overload racks and angle dishes to let water drain
  2. Place plastics on top rack and tilted
  3. Use appropriate cycle with ‘Heated Dry’ or extended drying if available

Test and replace heating element

Advanced 60-90 minutes
Tools Needed: multimeter, screwdrivers, replacement element
  1. Disconnect power and access bottom of dishwasher tub
  2. Visually inspect heating element for damage
  3. Use multimeter to check continuity
  4. If open circuit, remove and replace heating element
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before electrical testing

Professional Repairs

Replace vent fan or vent assembly

Estimated Cost: $80 - $250

Replace control board or high‑limit thermostat

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

Professional diagnostics and full service

Estimated Cost: $100 - $200 service call

When to Call a Professional

Heating element tests show faults and DIY replacement is unsafe or unsuccessful
Electrical faults like control board failures or thermostat issues
Vent motor replacement beyond basic cleaning

Preventive Maintenance

  • Refill rinse aid: Improves drying performance and reduces water beading
    Frequency: monthly
  • Clean filter and drain: Standing water that can impede drying and cause odors
    Frequency: weekly/monthly
  • Inspect vent and remove debris: Blocked airflow and moisture retention
    Frequency: quarterly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Dishwasher not drying?
Common causes include insufficient rinse aid, improper loading, and potential drain clogs.
How do I fix Kenmore Dishwasher not drying myself?
Refill rinse aid, clean the vents, load dishes correctly, or test the heating element.
How much does it cost to fix not drying?
Professional repairs range from $80 to $400, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not drying?
If DIY solutions fail, or if you suspect a faulty control board or thermostat, call a pro.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty heating element
  • Blocked or malfunctioning vent
  • Improper loading of dishes
  • Use of incorrect detergent
  • Failed thermostat

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check and replace the heating element if necessary. First, unplug the dishwasher. Remove the bottom spray arm and the cover to access the heating element. Use a multimeter to test for continuity. If it’s faulty, replace it with a new one.

  2. Inspect and clean the vent. Open the dishwasher door and locate the vent, usually at the back. Ensure it is not blocked by food debris or grease. Clean it with a damp cloth and check if it opens and closes properly.

  3. Ensure proper loading of dishes. Make sure that large items do not block the spray arms and that dishes are arranged to allow for proper airflow. Refer to the user manual for optimal loading techniques.

  4. Check the type of detergent being used. Ensure that you are using a high-quality dishwasher detergent that is appropriate for your dishwasher model. Avoid using regular dish soap.

  5. Test and replace the thermostat if needed. Access the thermostat by removing the lower spray arm and cover. Use a multimeter to check its functionality. Replace if it shows no continuity.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Troubleshooting Kenmore dishwasher not drying properly.

Community Discussions

not drying properly

Replaced heating element, which resolved the drying issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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