Samsung Dishwasher Not Drying: 5 Expert Troubleshooting Tips

There is nothing more frustrating than running a full cycle, waiting two hours, and opening the door to find everything dripping wet. You bought a dishwasher to save time, not to spend another 20 minutes drying plates with a towel.

If your Samsung dishwasher not drying dishes is becoming a daily headache, don't panic. You likely don't need a new machine. Samsung dishwashers use a different drying method than older American brands, and a few small adjustments can usually solve the problem.

This practical Samsung dishwasher troubleshooting guide will help you diagnose the issue and get back to perfectly dry dishes without the extra work.

1. Rinse Aid: Why Your Samsung Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes (And How to Fix It)

This is the most common reason for wet dishes, yet most people ignore it. Unlike older dishwashers that used a massive heating coil at the bottom to bake the dishes dry, modern Samsung models use "Condensation Drying."

This process relies on the hot dishes shedding water onto the cooler stainless steel walls. But for this to work, the water needs to slide off the dishes easily. That is exactly what rinse aid does—it breaks the surface tension of water, allowing moisture to bead up and roll away rather than pooling on your plates and bowls.

What the Expert Says: Jack, certified appliance technician, explains: "I see this on service calls every week. Samsung models rely heavily on condensation drying. They don't have a giant heater exposed at the bottom like old-school dishwashers. If you aren't using rinse aid (like Jet-Dry), you simply aren't going to get dry dishes. Period."

The Fix:

• Fill the rinse aid dispenser until the indicator shows it is full

• Adjust the dial to a higher setting (3 or 4) if you're still seeing water droplets on dishes

• Replace rinse aid regularly this is not a one-time fix

Why This Matters: Condensation drying is energy-efficient but requires proper rinse aid to work effectively. Without it, you're fighting physics.

2. Wrong Loading Method: How Dish Placement Causes Dishwasher Not Drying Problems

It sounds simple, but airflow is everything when it comes to drying dishes. If your bowls are nested too closely together, or if a large cutting board is blocking the spray arms, the hot air cannot circulate freely through the wash chamber.

Additionally, the position of items matters significantly. If you place cups perfectly flat on the top rack, water will pool in the concave bottoms and stay there even after the cycle ends. Similarly, flat dishes stacked without spacing trap moisture between them.

The Fix:

• Load plates and bowls with space in between (aim for at least a finger's width)

• Tilt cups and mugs slightly so water runs off the bottom instead of pooling

• Ensure nothing on the bottom rack blocks the spray arms—this includes large cutting boards, baking sheets, and oversized pots

• Avoid overloading cramming too many items reduces water circulation and drying effectiveness

• Position items to face the spray arms when possible, allowing water to cascade down naturally

Pro Tip: Think of your dishwasher like a convection oven. Just as food needs airflow to cook evenly, dishes need airflow to dry properly.

3. AutoRelease Door Won't Open: Why Samsung Dishwasher Not Drying When Door Stays Closed

Many newer Samsung dishwashers have an "AutoRelease" feature that automatically pops the door open about 5 inches at the end of the cycle. This small gap is crucial it lets humid air escape and fresh air enter, completing the drying process.

If you have a child lock engaged, or if the dishwasher is not leveled correctly, this automatic latch might not release. If the door stays shut, that moisture stays trapped inside, settling back onto your clean dishes and negating all the work the machine just did.

The Fix:

• Check for child locks—disable them if they're preventing the door from opening

• Level your dishwasher using a spirit level; adjust the front legs if needed (tilt slightly forward helps with drainage)

• Listen for the door release—if you don't hear a click at cycle end, the mechanism may be failing

• Manually crack the door open if AutoRelease isn't working (a temporary workaround while you arrange service)

When to Worry: If the door won't open at all or opens only partway despite adjustments, you may have a mechanical issue requiring professional appliance repair.

Related Topic: If your dryer runs but produces no heat, the issue is often related to the heating element or the thermal fuse. This is explained in detail in Samsung Dryer Not Heating? Test the Element & Thermal Fuse.

4. Wrong Cycle Settings: Samsung Dishwasher Not Drying on Eco Mode

The "Normal" or "Eco" cycle is fantastic for saving energy and water, but it often lowers the final rinse temperature. This is where many people unknowingly sabotage their drying results.

Condensation drying works best when the dishes are very hot at the end of the cycle. If your rinse temperature drops, water won't evaporate as effectively, and you'll end up with wet dishes even if everything else is working perfectly.

The Fix:

• Select the "Sanitize" option instead of Eco—this boosts the final rinse temperature, making dishes hotter and helping water evaporate faster

• Look for "Extra Dry" or "Heated Dry" settings if your model has them—these are specifically designed to tackle drying challenges

• Avoid Eco mode if you're struggling with wet dishes (you can use it on days when you aren't in a rush)

• Check your cycle settings before running the dishwasher—one wrong selection can undo everything else

Why Temperature Matters: Hot dishes + cooler stainless steel walls = faster evaporation. It's simple physics. Lower the heat, and you lose the advantage.

5. Samsung Dishwasher Still Not Drying? When to Call Professional Repair

If you have tried all the tips above and your dishes are still soaking wet or cold to the touch immediately after the cycle, you might have a hardware failure. At this point, troubleshooting on your own won't help, and attempting repairs could damage your dishwasher further.

Signs You Need Professional Help:

• Dishes are cold after the cycle (indicates heating element failure)

• Standing water in the bottom (drain or motor issue)

• AutoRelease door won't open (latch mechanism failure)

• Spray arms aren't spinning (motor or bearing problem)

• No hot water entering the machine (heating element or valve failure)

Next Steps:

Contact a certified appliance repair technician or Samsung's customer service. Depending on your model and warranty, you may need to schedule professional Samsung dishwasher repair. Many repair shops offer same-day or next-day service for common issues.

Conclusion

Most Samsung dishwasher drying problems can be solved with simple adjustments: rinse aid, better loading habits, proper cycle selection, and ensuring the door opens fully. Before you call for professional help, work through these troubleshooting steps systematically.

If your Samsung dishwasher not drying dishes persists after these fixes, contact a certified technician to diagnose potential mechanical issues. Don't let wet dishes become your new normal—take action today.