7 Reasons Your Bosch Dishwasher Is Not Drying Dishes

Having to hand-dry dishes after washing them in your Bosch dishwasher adds that extra bit of unwanted inconvenience to your day. And it can feel especially annoying when you know your dishwasher should be drying them for you.

So what’s causing your Bosch dishwasher not to dry dishes as it should? Is there something wrong with the appliance or are you doing something wrong? This article will help you get to the bottom of it by revealing the seven reasons why your Bosch dishwasher isn’t drying dishes.

1. Are you using a rinse aid?

Using a rinse aid in your dishwasher is key to making your dishes sparkling clean and also bone dry. Rinse aid lowers the surface tension of water, so it slides off the dishes more easily, allowing them to dry faster.

If you’re not using rinse aid already, give it a try. It really can make the difference between having wet or dry dishes after a cycle, especially in newer Bosch models. To use it, simply pour liquid rinse aid into the appropriate dispenser located next to the detergent dispenser.

2. Is the dishwasher overfilled?

There needs to be adequate space between dishes to allow air to circulate and the water to drain off. If items are all stacked on top of each other when you load the dishwasher in an attempt to fit more in, the dishes will still be wet when the cycle completes.

3. Are you using the right settings?

Different modes and settings on a dishwasher will result in dryer or wetter dishes. Generally, hot wash cycles, such as “Heavy” or “Auto” will result in dryer dishes than the cooler, shorter cycles like “Eco” and “Quick Wash.”

If you want your dishes to be as dry as possible, you can also select the “Extra Dry” option, which extends the drying time, or “Sanitize,” which increases the temperature of the water.

So to summarize, you want to combine a hot wash cycle with one of the special drying features like “Extra Dry” for the best results.

4. Is the heating element faulty?

Older model Bosch dishwashers often have a heating element that is used to heat the interior during the drying cycle, whereas newer models tend to use a condensation drying system. If you have an older Bosch dishwasher that isn’t drying dishes, it could be worth checking if the heating element is faulty.

To do this, you will need to unplug the appliance, remove the lower access panel or kickplate, and test the heating element with a multimeter for continuity.

5. Is the vent letting out steam?

Many Bosch dishwashers use a vent to allow the hot steam to escape during the drying cycle. However, if the vent doesn’t open as it should, the steam won’t escape and the moisture will remain on the dishes.

You can find the vent on the top edge of the door. Inspect it from the exterior and interior of the door, looking for any blockages or debris that may be obstructing it. Also, during a drying cycle, watch to see if steam is let out through the vent. If not, the vent may need replacing.

6. Is the vent fan motor faulty?

Some Bosch dishwashers use a vent fan motor to blow the hot, steamy air out through the vent during the rinse cycle. If the motor is faulty or the fan blade is obstructed, the dishes in your dishwasher won’t dry as well as they should.

You will need to remove the vent fan motor and test it with a multimeter for continuity to check if it’s faulty. To do this, you should unplug the appliance, remove the inner door panel, disconnect the wiring to the vent fan motor, and remove any screws securing the vent fan motor in place.

7. Faulty high-limit thermostat

The high-limit thermostat is a safety device that shuts off power to the heating element or the heat source if the dishwasher’s temperature gets too hot. If it fails, the heat won’t come on, and the dishes will not dry properly.

To check if the high-limit thermostat is faulty, test it with a multimeter for continuity. To access the high-limit thermostat to test it, unplug the dishwasher, remove the lower kickplate, and remove the wires connected to the high-limit thermostat.

FAQs

Why is my Bosch dishwasher no longer drying dishes?

We’ve listed the most likely reasons above that could be causing your Bosch dishwasher to no longer dry dishes properly. As dishwashers age, problems with components can occur and will need to be fixed. Likewise, recent purchasers may not realize that products like rinse aid are essential for dry dishes.

When should I call in a professional?

If you’ve tried the steps above and have had no luck, it’s time to call in a professional. If you don’t feel comfortable trying to fix or replace any components yourself, it’s also best to hire an expert.

Should I rinse dishes before loading them into the dishwasher?

It’s best to scrape large pieces of food from the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher rather than rinse them. Rinsing dishes can make them too clean, which modern Bosch dishwashers can detect.

The sensors inside adjust the heat and water pressure based on how dirty the dishes are. If they are too clean, the dishwasher may run a shorter, cooler cycle leading to the dishes not drying as well.