GE Dishwasher not drying Dishes? (Check this Now)

Dishwashers have definitely made the dish-cleaning process much easier than traditional hand-cleaning. However, like other appliances, they can experience several issues, such as not powering up, not draining dirty water, making beeps sound, or not drying dishes after washing.

Let me tell you about my experience. I have owned a GE dishwasher (WD21X10519) for the past year, and it has been amazing and has performed as expected.

However, after two months of buying it, I experienced a terrible thing. One night, after having dinner, my wife, Adiba Islam, loaded the dishwasher with dirty dishes to have them cleaned.

Almost two hours later, when she opened the door, she noticed that the dishes were still wet, even though the cycle had finished.

She informed me of the issue, and then I contacted my friend Ahsan and discussed the issue with him. He advised me on several things to do, and when I followed his suggestions, they magically worked!

In this article, I will explain the things he advised me to do, the trick that worked for me, and what you should do if you are experiencing the same issue.

Common Causes of a GE Dishwasher Not Drying

Let’s talk about the drying system of the GE dishwasher before diving into the reasons why the dishwasher may fail to dry dishes after cleaning.

The GE dishwasher uses a ‘Heated drying’ system to dry the dishes (older models may vary). It works by using a heating element located at the bottom of the dishwasher to heat up the air inside. The hot air is then circulated around the dishes using a fan before being vented out of the dishwasher.

However, when a GE dishwasher fails to dry dishes after the cleaning cycle, the heating element is usually blamed. Apart from this, other factors such as defective wiring, incorrect heating settings, or malfunctioning flood switch may also be responsible.

Look at the bellow table:

How to troubleshoot a GE Dishwasher that isn’t drying dishes?

In short: First, make sure you loaded your dishes correctly. Then, test the floor switch and the heating element, as one of these parts might have failed. If you find that one of these parts appears to be defective, replace it.

Step 1: Check if you loaded the dishes properly

Is your dishwasher overflowing with dishes? Have you stacked them properly? Perhaps some of them are falling over or touching one other.

Incorrect loading can cause lightweight plastic cups or glassware to shift and tip over, filling them with wash water.

Before going too far, make sure you loaded the dishwasher correctly. If you’re not sure how to do it, consult the user manual (you can find it online if you’ve lost it). Always spin the spray arm gently before starting a cycle to ensure it’s not colliding with anything.

Step 2: Check and refill the soap/rinse aid

Rinse aid helps to dry your dishes by dispersing water from their surface during the final rinse, which prevents water droplets from drying and leaving marks.

Make sure that the dispenser is filled with enough soap and it is dispensing the soap correctly. (If you’re having issues with the soap dispenser not opening during cleaning, check out this guide.)

However, you can check whether the dispenser is empty by looking at the rinse aid light. If the light is illuminating or displaying a “Low Rinse Aid” message, refill the tank.

Step 3: Replace the Flood Switch

In 98% of cases, the faulty Flood switch is the main reason a GE dishwasher fails to dry dishes.

This is a guaranteed fix, and it was the solution to my problem as well. I ordered a new flood switch from Amazon and replaced the faulty one. Guess what? It totally fixed my issue. Just replacing it rocked it!

Here’s how you can do this:

• Turn off the power supply to the dishwasher.
• Remove the spray arm and filter basket.
• Remove the two screws that hold the old flood switch in place and disconnect the wire.
• Clean any water build-up.
• Install the new flood switch and connect the wire.
• Replace the two screws to hold the new switch in place.
• Reattach the filter basket, plugs, and washer arm.

That’s it! Now turn on the power supply and run a test cycle. Congratulations, you have just fixed this issue by spending a couple of dollars!

Step 4: Test the heating element if it’s damaged

If you’re still experiencing the same issue, the heating element may be damaged or broken.

The heating element is responsible for heating up the air inside the dishwasher during the drying cycle, which helps to evaporate any remaining moisture on the dishes, leaving them dry and ready to be put away.

If you’re comfortable working with electricity, you can check the heating element yourself. Simply open the bottom panel and test for continuity using a multimeter.

Here’s a video guide:

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F.A.Q.s

Q: Is it normal for my GE dishwasher to not dry dishes completely?

Though some moisture is normal, a properly functioning GE dishwasher should be able to dry dishes completely.

If you are consistently finding that your dishes are still wet after a cycle, there may be an issue that needs to be addressed.

Q: Why is my GE dishwasher leaving spots on my dishes even though they are dry?

If your dishes have spots or streaks even though they are dry, this could be a sign that your dishwasher is not using the rinse aid correctly. Adjust the amount of rinse aid you are using or try a different brand.

Q: Can using the wrong detergent cause my GE dishwasher to not dry dishes properly?

Yes, using the wrong detergent or too much detergent can cause issues with your dishwasher’s ability to dry dishes properly.

Q: How can I tell if the heating element in my GE dishwasher is broken?

If the heating element in your GE dishwasher is broken, you may notice that your dishes are not drying completely or that the dishwasher is making unusual noises.

You can also test the heating element with a multimeter to check for continuity.