Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Drying: Heater & Rinse Aid Fixes

Quick Answer

A Whirlpool dishwasher that leaves wet dishes is usually caused by: (1) Heated Dry not being selected on the cycle settings, (2) the rinse aid dispenser being empty, or (3) the heating element having failed. On WDT series models, rinse aid is critical for spot-free drying - it lowers water surface tension so water sheets off rather than beading.

Most of the time when I show up for a 'won't dry' call, it's one of two things: empty rinse aid or someone running the Eco cycle for months without realizing it skips heated dry. Ignore this long enough and you'll get mold on the door gasket from all that leftover moisture sitting in the tub. If the element's actually dead, your dishes are gonna keep coming out worse every single cycle until you deal with it.

WhirlpoolDishwasherSeverity: low88% DIY Success

Time to Fix

5–60 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$35 – $65

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Torx T20 screwdriver

Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Drying: Heater & Rinse Aid Fixes

Before you grab your multimeter, check two things. Is the rinse aid dispenser empty? And did you accidentally hit the Eco or 1-Hour Wash cycle? Whirlpool's newer WDT and WDF series lean hard on rinse aid and heat working together because they're designed around condensation drying. Without both, your plates come out dripping even if nothing's broken. I've seen this confuse a ton of people who thought they had a dead machine when it was just an empty dispenser.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Heated Dry option not selected on the cycle40%

Rinse aid dispenser empty24%

Dishes with concave bottoms (bowls, cups) trapping water22%

Heating element burned out14%

Symptoms You May Notice

Dishes are visibly wet and dripping when you open the door at the end of the cycle
Plastic containers have standing water pooled in every concave surface, like someone left them out in the rain
Glass and ceramic dishes feel lukewarm or cold when they should be hot to the touch, which tells you the element isn't running
F7 E1 error code showing on the display, which is Whirlpool's way of telling you the heating element circuit has failed
White filmy residue or water spots on glasses that keep getting worse over time because there's no rinse aid breaking the surface tension

Can you reset a Whirlpool dishwasher to clear the WONT-DRY code?

On most Whirlpool WDT and WDF models, press Heated Dry three times, then Normal Wash three times in quick succession, all within about 5 seconds. The lights should flash or the display will show 888, which means you're in diagnostic mode. Press Cancel to exit and reset the logic board. Wait 60 seconds, then start a fresh Normal cycle with Heated Dry selected to confirm the reset cleared.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverTorx T20 screwdriverDigital multimeterFlathead screwdriver (for prying panels)Needle-nose pliers

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Did the fix not work?

If the problem comes back after following these steps, a component has permanently failed and needs replacement. Check the specific error code your dishwasher is showing:

NOT-HEATING Error →F7 E1 Error →

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range15–30 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Heating Element AssemblyW10518394 · $35–$65	W10518394	$35 – $65

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do plastic items never dry completely in a dishwasher?

Plastics are basically the nemesis of every dishwasher ever made. Unlike glass or ceramic, plastic doesn't hold heat. When that hot rinse water drains away, glass and ceramic stay hot enough to evaporate the last few drops, but plastic cools down almost instantly. You end up with water pooled on Tupperware lids every single time. And honestly? Even on a brand new Whirlpool with full rinse aid and max heat, you're probably still gonna see some moisture on your plastics. That's just physics. Flip them upside down in the rack before starting the cycle and it helps a little.

How much rinse aid should I use in a Whirlpool dishwasher?

Fill the reservoir until the indicator window goes dark, which usually takes about 3-4 oz of liquid. Most Whirlpool dispensers have a small dial or arrow inside the cap numbered 1 through 6. Start at 3 or 4. If you're seeing white filmy streaks on your glasses, dial it back a notch. If you're still getting water beads and wet dishes, bump it up. Hard water areas usually need it set higher. I replaced three dispensers last Tuesday for customers who'd just been running on empty for months and never knew it.

Can I still use the dishwasher if it's not drying?

Yeah, you can keep using it. Wet dishes won't hurt anything right away. But I'd fix it sooner rather than later. All that leftover moisture sitting in the tub after every cycle is a mold factory waiting to happen. You'll start seeing black spots on the door gasket within a few months if you don't address it. And if the heating element's actually dead, cycles that rely on heat for sanitizing won't work properly either. So for your health and for not dealing with a funky-smelling dishwasher, get it sorted out within a week or two.

How much does it cost to replace a Whirlpool dishwasher heating element?

The part itself runs $40-65 depending on where you buy it. W10518394 is the most common element for WDT and WDF series and you can usually find it around $45. If you're doing it yourself, budget about an hour of your time. It's not a hard job, basically you're pulling the kickplate, disconnecting two wires, unthreading two plastic nuts under the tub, and dropping in the new one. A service call from a tech is gonna run you $150-250 for parts and labor combined, depending on your area and local shop rates.

Does my Whirlpool dishwasher use heated dry or condensation drying?

Whirlpool's newer WDT and WDF series, basically anything made after about 2015, uses a hybrid approach. There's a heating element, but they also rely heavily on condensation drying, where the hot stainless steel tub walls cause moisture to condense and run down to the drain. That's why rinse aid is so critical on these newer models, way more than older machines ever needed it. Older Whirlpools from the early 2000s were pure heated dry and just blasted heat the whole time. If you have a newer model and your dishes are warm but still damp, rinse aid is almost always the first thing to check.

Related Whirlpool Dishwasher Error Codes

Code: NOT-HEATINGWhirlpool Dishwasher Not Heating Water: Diagnosis and Repair Guide Code: F7 E1Whirlpool Dishwasher F7 E1 Error Code: Heater Circuit Fault

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Whirlpool shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

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Models Known to Experience WONT-DRY Errors

This repair applies to most Whirlpool dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

WDT780SAEM, WDF550SAHZ, WDT730PAHZ, WDT750SAHZ, WDT970SAHZ, WDF518SAHM, WDT720PADE

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026