The KitchenAid KDTM604KPS is designed to use rinse aid for drying: without it, KitchenAid says, dishes and the interior have excessive moisture and the heating and drying options will not perform as well. The manual's Problem Solver lists plastics and non-stick surfaces (porous, collect droplets, towel drying may be needed), rinse aid with Heat Dry or ProDry, loading on the more slanted side of the rack, and concave-bottomed cups that hold water, so unload the bottom rack first. Heat Dry defaults on except for Express Wash and Rinse Only, and ProDry extends the heated dry.
Differential
Likely causes of “KitchenAid dishwasher does not dry dishes”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Rinse aid is empty or the setting is too low
What separates it Dishes are damp with beads of water and spots
How to confirm Refill and turn the arrow adjuster to a higher setting
- 2
Heat Dry was turned off or the cycle does not use it
What separates it The Cycle Status Light never goes red and dishes are wet
How to confirm Use Heat Dry, or ProDry to extend the heated dry; Express Wash and Rinse Only default it off
- 3
Plastics, non-stick items or concave-bottomed cups
What separates it Plastics are wet while glasses are dry, and cups pour water when lifted
How to confirm Towel dry plastics and unload the bottom rack first
- 4
Cold incoming water
What separates it The dishes are warm but wet with residue because of cold incoming water
How to confirm Set the water at 120 F and run the tap before starting
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the door light turned red during the cycle
- Which options were on: Heat Dry, ProDry
- Whether the rinse aid dispenser indicator shows full
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedFill the rinse aid
ReversibleOpen the dispenser by gently pushing the center of the lid with your thumb while lifting the edge, pour until the indicator shows full and press the lid down. Turn the arrow adjuster to a higher setting if drying is poor.
Use Heat Dry or ProDry
ReversibleHeat Dry uses the heating element and a fan and defaults on except for Express Wash and Rinse Only. ProDry extends the heated dry time when used with Heat Dry; on models with only ProDry it works like Heat Dry.
Load for drying
ReversiblePlace items on the more slanted side of the rack, put plastics in the upper rack and expect to towel dry plastic and non-stick items.
Empty the bottom rack first
ReversibleCups and glasses with concave bottoms hold water that may spill onto other items when unloading, so unload the bottom rack first.
Check the water temperature
ReversibleIncoming water should be 120 F (49 C). Run the hot tap until hot before starting.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Drying options in the manual
- Heat Dry dries with heat and a fan and, with rinse aid, gives better drying; turn it off for air dry. On models with both Heat Dry and ProDry, ProDry is used with Heat Dry to extend the heated drying time and can be selected for any cycle except Light and Rinse Only. For the very best drying performance, use rinse aid and the ProDry option.
- Parts for this problem on the KDTM604 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- vent gasket, part number W11545539, at $7.91; detergent dispenser, part number W11412300, at $115.21; optical wash sensor, part number W11410464, at $25.90.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models KDTM704, KDTM804, KDTE204, KDTE304, KDFM404.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the door light never turns red for a heated cycle with Heat Dry selected, contact KitchenAid service
- !If only plastics are wet, that is normal for plastic and needs no repair
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
KitchenAid's own manual for this model, English pages 1 to 8: operating, cycle guide, options, care and the Problem Solver table.
KitchenAid's own help articles for its dishwashers, each; the article for this page is named in the page's notes.
KitchenAid's own help articles on drying, cleaning, spotting, cycle length, sounds and interior cleaning.
KitchenAid's own page for this model's manuals and support.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
What is ProDry?+
An option that extends heated drying time when used with Heat Dry; on some models it acts like Heat Dry.
Does Express Wash use Heat Dry?+
No. Heat Dry defaults on for all cycles except Express Wash and Rinse Only; ProDry can speed drying on Express Wash.
Why is plastic still wet?+
Plastic and non-stick surfaces are porous and collect droplets; towel drying may be necessary.
Why do cups pour water?+
Concave bottoms hold water. Unload the bottom rack first.
What does the red light mean?+
The Cycle Status Light is red during the dry phase.
How do I raise the rinse aid level?+
Turn the arrow adjuster to a higher setting.
Should I run Heat Dry every time?+
For the best drying use rinse aid and the ProDry option, per the manual.