The LG LDP6810 dries without a heating element: LG calls it a hybrid drying system that relies on heat kept in the dishes and tub from the wash and rinse, then pulls the moist air through a condensing duct in the door. So wet dishes usually mean the rinse aid is empty or set too low, the door was opened during drying, or plastic items are in the load. LG says the Extra Dry option turns on by itself when the rinse aid runs out, and rinse aid is strongly recommended.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG dishwasher does not dry dishes”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The rinse aid dispenser is empty or set too low
What separates it Dishes are wet with beads and the tub has standing droplets, and the rinse aid icon is lit
How to confirm Refill the dispenser and check the level; LG's default is 2 and setting 3 uses more
- 2
The door was opened during the dry phase
What separates it Everything is wet at the end although the cycle ran normally
How to confirm Let the cycle finish before opening; LG says the heat the hybrid dry needs escapes when the door opens
- 3
Plastic or nonstick items in the load
What separates it Plastic dishes are wet while glass and metal are dry
How to confirm Use Extra Dry or Night Dry; LG says water beads on plastic instead of sheeting off
- 4
Water that was not hot at the start
What separates it Every load dries poorly, especially in cold weather or with a long pipe run from the heater
How to confirm Run the hot tap at the sink before starting; use the High Temp option
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the rinse aid icon is lit and which rinse aid level (L0 to L4) is set
- What is wet: plastic only, everything, or the tub as well
- Whether you use detergent tablets without liquid rinse aid, and whether you open the door early
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedCheck and refill the rinse aid
ReversibleFill the dispenser with liquid rinse aid to the maximum level, let it settle while filling to avoid air bubbles, and close the lid. LG says the icon flashes when more is needed unless the level is set to L0.
Raise the rinse aid level if needed
ReversibleWith the dishwasher off, press Dual Zone and Power together to see the level, press Delay Start to step from L0 to L4, then press Start to save. LG says 2 is the default and 3 may be needed for drying.
Use High Temp and Extra Dry
ReversibleHigh Temp keeps the drum and dishes hotter before drying. For plastic in a Normal cycle choose Extra Dry or Night Dry or both. LG says Extra Dry is chosen automatically when the rinse aid is empty.
Purge cold water first
ReversibleIf the dishwasher is far from the water heater, run the hot tap at the sink before starting so cool water is out of the line and the wash starts hot.
Leave the door shut until the cycle ends
ReversibleWait for the chime and ENd on the display. Opening the door mid-dry lets out the heat the hybrid system depends on, and the dishes stay wet.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Drying settings named in the manual
- Rinse aid levels L0 to L4 (default 2), High Temp, Extra Dry, Night Dry, and the Steam option on some models. The end-of-cycle display shows ENd until you open the door or press Power.
- Parts for this problem on the LDP6810 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- circulation pump and motor assembly with heater, part number AGM30016301, at $95.94; casing assembly, part number ABT73009401, at $133.30; detergent dispenser, part number AGM75469801, at $165.95; thermistor & connector assembly, part number ACJ74110102, at $33.89.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models LDP7808, LDPH7972, LDFN4542, LDFN3432, LDF5545, Signature Kitchen Suite SKSDW2401 dishwasher.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If rinse aid is full, level 3 is set, High Temp and Extra Dry are on and dishes still come out wet, call LG customer service
- !If an HE (heater circuit) or tE (water temperature sensor) message appears, call LG since those are not user repairs
- !If the door fan or duct at the door top is noisy or blocked, call LG service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
LG USA support page listing this model's manuals and warranty.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why are my dishes wet in the LG LDP6810?+
The most common causes are an empty rinse aid dispenser, the door opened during drying and plastic items, which shed water badly. Water that started cool also hurts.
Does the dishwasher have a heating element for drying?+
No. LG says the hybrid drying system does not use a heating element; it relies on retained heat and a fan that pulls warm moist air through a condensing duct in the door.
Do I really need rinse aid?+
LG says rinse aid is strongly recommended and plays an integral role in drying, because the hybrid system has no heating element.
What is the default rinse aid setting?+
Level 2 out of five (L0 to L4). LG says to set it to 3 if you need more rinse aid for drying.
What if I use detergent tablets without rinse aid?+
LG says dishes and the interior will have excessive moisture; select the Extra Dry option for better drying.
What does Night Dry do?+
It is a drying option; an indicator lights when Night Dry is selected. LG suggests it, with Extra Dry, for plastic in a Normal cycle.
Does the door chime mean a fault?+
No. The dishwasher chimes if you open it during a cycle or just after it ends, to warn you the interior is hot.