LG Dishwasher Not Drying: Causes & Fixes

1. Rinse aid dispenser is empty or set too low

Rinse aid breaks the surface tension of water so droplets sheet off dishes instead of beading and staying wet. Without it, even a perfectly working dishwasher will leave dishes damp.

1. Open the dishwasher door and locate the rinse aid cap on the inner door panel (usually next to the detergent dispenser).
2. Twist the cap counterclockwise and remove it. Look inside — if the reservoir appears empty or the indicator window is clear/light, it needs refilling.
3. Pour rinse aid in until the reservoir is full, then replace the cap.
4. Find the rinse aid amount dial (numbered 1–6 inside the cap or dispenser housing). If it is set to 1 or 2, turn it up to 4 as a starting point.
5. Run a normal wash cycle and check results. Increase the setting by one increment if dishes are still wet after two cycles.

2. Heated dry or “Extra Dry” option is turned off

LG dishwashers use condensation drying by default, and many users accidentally skip selecting the heated dry or Extra Dry option, leaving dishes significantly wetter than expected.

1. Before starting a cycle, press the Extra Dry or Heated Dry button on the control panel (the exact label varies by model — check your door for options).
2. Confirm the corresponding indicator light is lit before pressing Start.
3. For consistently dry results, also choose a cycle with a heated dry phase (e.g., Normal or Heavy rather than Delicate or Express).
4. If you cannot locate the Extra Dry option on your model, consult the LG dishwasher support page and download your specific model’s manual.

3. Improper loading blocking airflow and drainage

Bowls, cups, and containers loaded face-up or at a flat angle trap pools of water that never evaporate during the dry cycle, making it seem like the dishwasher has a fault when it does not.

1. Angle all cups, bowls, and containers downward or to the side so water runs off rather than pooling.
2. Avoid overcrowding — leave a small gap between items so hot, moist air can circulate.
3. Place plastics on the top rack only, and note that plastic naturally dries less thoroughly than glass or ceramic even with a perfect machine.
4. Do not block the detergent dispenser door with tall items in the lower rack.
5. Run another cycle with corrected loading and see if drying improves.

4. Faulty heating element

The heating element sits at the bottom of the dishwasher tub and heats both the wash water and the air during the dry cycle — if it burns out, dishes will come out wet and the water may feel cool at the end of a cycle.

1. Disconnect power to the dishwasher at the circuit breaker before any inspection.
2. Open the door and look along the bottom of the tub for the exposed circular or U-shaped element. Visually inspect for cracks, burn marks, or breaks in the coil.
3. To confirm failure, set a multimeter to the Rx1 (resistance) setting, remove the lower spray arm and access the element terminals from inside or underneath the tub.
4. Touch probes to both terminals. A reading of 15–30 ohms indicates a working element; a reading of infinity (OL) means it has failed and must be replaced.
5. Order a replacement heating element matched to your model and swap it in, or have a technician do so if you are not comfortable with the repair.

5. Defective thermistor (temperature sensor)

The thermistor monitors water temperature throughout the cycle; if it sends incorrect readings to the control board, the dishwasher may cut the dry phase short or never reach the temperature needed to dry dishes.

1. Disconnect power at the circuit breaker.
2. Remove the lower rack and the lower spray arm to access the area near the sump assembly where the thermistor is typically located.
3. Unplug the thermistor’s wire harness connector and set a multimeter to measure resistance (Ohms).
4. At room temperature (~70 °F / 21 °C), a working thermistor typically reads approximately 10,000–50,000 ohms — an open circuit (OL) or zero reading indicates failure. Cross-reference the expected range with your model’s service manual.
5. Replace the thermistor if it reads out of range, then restore power and run a test cycle.

6. Failed vent fan motor (on models with a fan-assisted dry system)

Some LG dishwasher models use a small vent fan to pull moist air out of the tub at the end of the cycle — if this motor seizes or burns out, humidity stays trapped inside and dishes remain damp.

1. Check your model’s documentation to confirm it uses a vent fan (not all LG models do).
2. At the end of a completed cycle, listen near the vent opening (typically on the inner door or the side of the tub) for a faint humming or fan sound. Silence when it should be running suggests a failed motor.
3. Disconnect power at the circuit breaker before proceeding.
4. Access the vent fan assembly by removing the inner door panel — this usually involves removing screws along the door perimeter.
5. Disconnect the fan motor’s wire harness and test for continuity with a multimeter. No continuity means the motor needs replacement.
6. Install a compatible replacement vent fan motor, reassemble the door, restore power, and run a test cycle.

Frequently asked questions