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LG dishwasher not drying: what to check first

You open the LG dishwasher after a full cycle and the plates are damp, cups have puddles, or plastics look like they were barely dried. This page walks through the owner checks first, then the parts a technician tests when the machine really has a drying fault.

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Straight answer

An LG dishwasher not drying usually means the load isn't shedding water at the end of the dry portion, or the dry air path or heater circuit isn't working. A common cause is no usable rinse aid in the dispenser, with plastic cups and bowls making it look worse.

Check these first

Safe to do yourself. Unplug the appliance before you start.

  1. Fill and set the rinse aid dispenser

    Open the rinse aid cap on the inside of the door and make sure the chamber has rinse aid. LG points owners to rinse aid first because it helps water sheet off dishes instead of clinging in beads. If your detergent tablet already contains rinse aid, follow the tablet label and your manual, since too much can foam and leave streaks.

  2. Use the dry options on the next load

    Run a normal load with High Temp and Extra Dry selected. On models with Auto Open Door, turn that feature on so the door opens at the end of a dry cycle. On models without it, crack the door open after the cycle ends.

  3. Reload the items that hold water

    Deep bowls, mugs, and containers need to face down so they don't collect water. Leave space between items. Plastics dry poorly in these machines compared with glass, metal, and ceramic, even when nothing is broken.

  4. Check the filter and spray arm openings

    A dirty filter or blocked spray arm can leave more water on the load, which makes the dry portion look weak. Remove the lower rack, clean the filter parts, and rinse food grit from spray arm holes without taking the dishwasher apart.

  5. Run one test load with fewer plastics

    Put in a mixed load with plates, glasses, and metal utensils, then compare those items to plastic containers. If only plastic is wet, the dishwasher may be working as designed. If everything is wet and cool, move toward repair testing.

Dishwasher front: door latch at the top, float in the front corner of the tub, inlet valve behind the kick panelDoor latch: listen for the clickFloat (front corner of tub)Inlet valve, behind kick panelDoor gasketSpray arm
Water comes in through a valve behind the lower kick panel. A float in the front corner of the tub floor shuts it off, so a stuck float stops the fill. The door latch has to click shut or the cycle won't start.
When it's a repair

A repair company will usually start with the rinse aid setting, dispenser, and cap, then test the door vent fan if the model uses one, the model's heater circuit, and the main PCB that sends power to those loads. On many LG models the heater is part of the circulation pump assembly. If the model has a separate high limit thermostat, that gets checked too. This one is often worth fixing when the tub, racks, and wash action are still in good shape. At an older age, I wouldn't put major parts into a dishwasher that also has a noisy wash motor, door leaks, or rack rust.

Models where this shows up most

Many LG models depend on rinse aid, Extra Dry, and, on some models, Auto Open Door, so wet plastics alone don't prove a failed part. Some LG designs put the heater in the circulation pump assembly, which is why a heater failure can lead to pump replacement.

Error code lists

Every LG dishwasher error code in one table, with what each means and what to check first →

Have the model number ready

The company will ask for it first. It's on a sticker or metal plate, usually in one of these spots:

Where the model tag usually is on a dishwasher12
  1. Open the door: on the left or right edge of the tub or door
  2. Some models: on the top edge of the door
Worth knowing

Conditions that make this more likely

Boards fail earlier in hot rooms

Electronics are rated for room temperature. In a garage or an unconditioned laundry room in summer, a control board can sit well above that for hours a day. Before replacing a board, a good technician confirms the parts it controls test good, since a shorted pump or valve can take out a new board too.

Hard water makes this more likely

Water above about 7 grains per gallon counts as hard, and USGS maps put much of the Southwest, Texas, the Great Plains and the Midwest above that. Scale builds up on inlet screens, valves, heating elements and spray arms years sooner than the manuals assume. If you're on hard water and this fault points to a fill or heating part, mineral buildup is the first thing a technician will look for.

What a technician tests

Most likely part first. These are for a technician with a meter and the tech sheet, not a weekend project.

PartHow it's tested
Rinse aid dispenserFill the rinse aid cup and use the model's service test to command the dispenser. A technician confirms that rinse aid dispenses, then checks the dispenser coil and board output from the model tech sheet with power removed for resistance checks and the unit safely set up for any live voltage test.
Vent fan motorOn models with a door vent fan, it should run during the dry or Night Dry portion. In the model's test mode, a technician checks the fan harness and the AC load output shown on the tech sheet; power at the fan with no fan operation points to the fan assembly, while no power points back to wiring or the PCB.
Heater in the circulation pumpMany LG dishwashers heat wash and final rinse water through a heater in the pump assembly rather than a separate exposed dry element. A technician checks the heater circuit against the model tech sheet, then uses the service test heater step to confirm the board sends the correct line-voltage output before replacing the pump assembly.
Main PCBThe board is judged after the fan, dispenser, heater loads, and wiring are checked against the model tech sheet. If the load tests good, plugs are seated, the harness is intact, and the service test never sends the called-for output, the PCB is the likely failed part.
High limit thermostatOn models that use a separate high limit thermostat, the technician removes power and tests it by the model tech sheet. Most high limit safeties should show continuity at room temperature and open only when they trip; an open reading at room temperature can keep the heater off.

Don't see your symptom?

Describe it on the phone. The company on the other end works on these every day and will know what to ask.

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Common questions about appliance repair

Will resetting an LG dishwasher fix a drying problem?

A reset can clear a control glitch, so it's worth turning the breaker off for a short time and then running a test load. If the next load is still wet, reset wasn't the fix.

Why are only plastic cups and containers wet?

Plastic doesn't hold heat like glass, metal, or ceramic. If plastics are the only wet items, use rinse aid, Extra Dry, and better spacing before calling it a part failure.

Should I use rinse aid in an LG dishwasher?

Yes, in most loads rinse aid is needed for good drying and fewer water marks. If your detergent tablet includes a rinse aid agent, check the tablet directions and your manual so you don't overdo it.

What if my new LG dishwasher has never dried well?

Start with the manual settings, rinse aid level, and Auto Open Door option if your model has it. If everything is set right and dishes are still wet and cool, the dispenser, vent fan, heater circuit, or board needs testing.

Does an LG dishwasher have a heating element for drying?

Many LG models don't use a simple exposed element like older dishwashers. The heater may be part of the circulation pump, so a technician tests the heater circuit before replacing parts.

Still showing the problem after the checks?

Call and describe what you tried. You'll be connected with an independent repair company near you.

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