When someone calls me to tell me their Maytag dishwasher would not drain, they are usually afraid that they needed a new dishwasher. Often, with just a little work, they are back up and running again.
Typically, a Maytag Dishwasher will not drain because the valve or line has become clogged. If any debris gets into the drain valve or if too much debris clogs the drain hose, dirty water will back up into the dishwasher.
Fortunately, the fix for such a stressful problem is fairly easy. In fact, it can often be fixed in a matter of minutes.
Even if the issue is a little more in-depth than a clogged hose, it often can be repaired without too much downtime.
Maytag Dishwasher Will Not Drain
Here are a few things to consider when your dishwasher will not fully drain. Go down through the list and then consider some of the specific problems that could lead to the issue.
There are a few steps to take when your Maytag dishwasher will not drain properly. This will allow you to diagnose the issue and get to the root of the problem as quickly as possible.
The first thing that you should do is turn off the power. This can either be done by unplugging the dishwasher or by switching off the circuit breaker at the breaker panel. In either case, turning the power off first will help to safeguard you as you work on your dishwasher.
More than likely, your dishwasher is now full of dirty water. You can manually remove the water by using a small cup or a bowl.
Keep a larger bowl by the dishwasher to fill with the water that you are removing from it. This will keep you from getting too much water on the floor and creating a slipping hazard.
After you have removed the majority of the water from the dishwasher, take some time to inspect it carefully and look for any debris that has clogged the areas around the sump and pump motor.
Remove any debris and pay particular attention to the area around the drain valve. At this point, you will be ready to start diagnosing the problem. Here are some of the more common issues that keep a dishwasher from draining.
Clogged or Pinched Hose – If the drain hose has become clogged with debris or pinched because the dishwasher shifted in position, it can stop the water from draining.
In many cases, simply moving the hose around and giving it some space will allow the clog to free itself. If the clog is particularly difficult, you may need to remove the hose and clean it.
Be cautious when removing the drain hose as it may be full of water and could drain onto the floor. You can then take it outside and run water from a garden hose through it. The pressure should clear the blockage.
Clogged Drain Valve – There is a drain valve inside of the machine near the area where the hose connects to it. The valve allows water to escape the machine without allowing dirty water to come back into it.
At times, debris may clog the drain valve and stop it from opening. Simply cleaning the debris from the area may, at times, allow the dishwasher to drain properly.
Check Ball – Inside of the drain valve is a small ball that is known as a check ball. It has a simple purpose of allowing water to escape the machine and not allowing the water to enter back into it.
There may be times when the check ball is stuck in position. Operating the check ball manually a few times will often stop the issue from occurring.
Garbage Disposal – Although the garbage disposal is not really a part of the dishwasher, a problem with the dishwasher not draining can often be traced back to it. It is a relatively easy fix.
Most people don’t realize that garbage disposals can be operated manually. Do not put your hand down in the garbage disposal, even if you turn the power off ahead of time.
There is a small slot on the bottom of the garbage disposal that can be worked with an Allen wrench. After inserting the Allen wrench, you can manually turn the garbage disposal and that will often free anything that has become stuck in the edges.
If the garbage disposal has gone bad, the dishwasher will not drain. Water will often back up into the sink and it is an easy to recognize problem. Considering the fact that the garbage disposal doesn’t run while the dishwasher is running, it can be a real problem.
Incidentally, the location where the line goes into the garbage disposal is often where it gets clogged. Squeeze the drain hose at that location and see if you can free any clog that may exist.
Air Gap – Most people don’t really give the air gap much thought. It is something that needs to be installed due to code in most areas. It has the simple purpose of keeping dirty water from flowing back into the dishwasher.
The air gap can also get clogged itself and when that happens, the dishwasher may not drain. You can clean the air gap with some pipe cleaners or blow into it using a paper towel roll so you aren’t actually putting your lips on the air gap.
In some cases, it may be necessary to blow out the air gap with high-pressure air. If that is the case, make sure that you wear your safety glasses to protect your eyes.
If you have a different brand dishwasher please check out our dishwasher not draining article for other brands.
Preventing Maytag Dishwashers from Not Draining
Along with figuring out why your Maytag dishwasher is not draining, it’s also a good idea to keep it from happening again.
Although the dishwasher is used to clean items regularly, it also needs to be cleaned on a routine basis as well. Set up a schedule to do so and it will operate for many years without problems.
Have you checked the filters on the dishwasher? The filters keep large particles from entering into the drain tube and potentially clogging the tube. Clean the filters regularly.
It may also help to pre-rinse the dishes, although it is not necessary to get them clean before you wash them. Maytag dishwashers have a food chopper, so they can handle some food left on the dishes. Just don’t put them in the dishwasher completely dirty.
Finally, make sure that you use your dishwasher on a regular basis. Dishwashers, like any machine, were made to operate regularly and if it sits idle for too long, problems are likely to occur.
Maytag Dishwasher Not Fully Draining
There are times when a Maytag dishwasher may partially drain but it doesn’t drain fully. This can occur for a number of reasons, including the following:
Float Valve – A float valve is a simple device that tells the dishwasher if too much water is in it. In addition, if a float valve is stuck in the down position, the dishwasher will think that it is empty.
Manually work the float valve a few times and see if things can be loosened. You may need to replace the float valve if it is broken.
Open Door – When the door to the dishwasher is opened, the dishwasher will stop operating. Even if it is in the middle of the drain cycle, it will not operate.
The problem is, if the door latch or sensor switch is not operating properly, the dishwasher may think that the door is open when it is not. This is more likely to occur during the drain cycle, and it can stop the dishwasher from draining fully.
Interrupted Cycle – Along with having the door opened in the middle of the cycle, the cycle may also be interrupted by a power surge or power outage.
Dishwashers have a memory and if the cycle is interrupted then the dishwasher will want to start at that point. You can reset the dishwasher back to the beginning by interrupting the power again.
Turn off the power by either unplugging the dishwasher or switching it off at the circuit breaker. Leave it off for up to five minutes before restoring the power again.
Using the Wrong Detergent – It is important to use dishwasher detergent that is specific to the dishwasher. If you are using the wrong detergent, including dishwashing liquid or perhaps laundry soap, it can create excess suds.
If this is the problem that is leading to the dishwasher not draining, remove as many of the suds as possible manually. You should then run an empty cycle without any soap to clear the dishwasher.
Air Gap – Check the air gap at the sink and see if it is clogged. Often, this can be identified when dirty water backs up into the sink. It may also be an issue with the garbage disposal.
Time Delay – Some Maytag dishwashers have a time delay setting. You may need to turn the time delay on and off to reset it fully.
Maytag Dishwasher Not Draining at End of Cycle
A failed pump motor is the most obvious reason why a Maytag dishwasher would not drain at the end of the cycle. Sometimes, a pump motor will make a large screeching noise prior to the time that it fails.
You can check the pump motor by turning off the power, removing the pump motor, and using a multi-meter to check continuity. If it is faulty, it can be replaced.
A clogged drain valve can also keep the dishwasher from draining, but it may be clogged in any part of the drain, including the hose.
Any type of obstruction, whether large or small, could keep the dishwasher from draining. It may drain properly at the beginning of the cycle but at the end of the cycle, it won’t drain because there are more food particles that are entering the drain hose.
Have you checked your dishwasher filter regularly? This is something that is overlooked by many homeowners but it is important to do it on a regular basis.
The dishwasher filter is designed to keep large particles from entering the drain valve and hose. If it becomes clogged, it won’t allow water to flow through it.
Finally, look at the check ball in the drain valve. If the check ball is stuck in position, it will not allow water to drain. Manually work the check ball a few times to see if it will clear the issue.
Maytag Dishwasher Won’t Drain Flashing
If a Maytag dishwasher is not draining and there are lights flashing, the first thing you should do is check for an error code. If there is an error code, look in your user manual to see what is wrong.
If the cycle has become interrupted, typically by the door being opened, the lights may flash and the machine would not operate. Dishwashers have memory and when the cycle is interrupted, it may want to start at that point.
The cycle can become interrupted when the door is opened or if there is a power surge or failure. If the door latch or switch is not operating properly, it may also indicate to the dishwasher that the door is open.
The first thing you can do to repair this problem is to reset the machine. Like a computer, sometimes you need to turn a dishwasher off and on again.
Unplug the dishwasher if you have access to the receptacle or switch it off at the breaker panel. Leave the power off for up to five minutes and then restore it.
Do you have a child lock or a delay start setting? These may get turned on accidentally. Often, the buttons you push to turn those features on and off are marked on the dishwasher.
Hold in the marked buttons for a few seconds and it should cancel the delay start or child lock.
Finally, there may be a clog in the drain line that is keeping the dishwasher from draining. A dishwasher button may be flashing to alert you to that fact.
Maytag Dishwasher Drain Pump Not Working
If the drain pump to your Maytag dishwasher is not working, it may be defective. Did you hear a loud humming or screeching sound while the dishwasher was operating prior to the pump not working? This will often indicate that the pump is failing.
You could also check the control panel lights for an error code. If there is an error code or message, look in your user manual to see what it means. In many cases, it is an easy fix.
If you still feel that the drain pump is faulty, you can check continuity using a multimeter. Turn the power off to the dishwasher before removing the drain pump and then check it with the multimeter. Replace the pump if it is faulty.
If you check the pump and it is fine, it may be a problem with a defective control board. The control board is relatively easy to replace.
Finally, the dishwasher pump may be working but if the drain line is clogged, it will not work as expected.
Maytag Dishwasher Drain Pump Keeps Running / Maytag Dishwasher Keeps Draining
When your Maytag dishwasher continues to drain and the drain pump is running continually, it may be an easy fix. That being said, unplug the dishwasher until you find the problem. It will keep your pump from burning out.
One potential problem that can lead to a dishwasher continually draining is for a float valve to be stuck. If a float valve is broken or stuck in the up position, the dishwasher may think that there is water in it.
A short in the wiring can also lead to this problem. After turning off the power, open the panel and check the electrical connections. If you see any problems, repair them if you can or call an electrician.
Finally, resetting the dishwasher may help to stop the drain pump from running. Turn the power off by unplugging the dishwasher or turning it off at the circuit breaker for five minutes. When you turn the machine back on, it will likely reset.
Maytag Dishwasher Drain Clogged
The drain to your Maytag dishwasher is a relatively simple machine. You may still find that the drain is clogged in a number of different places. Here are a few to check.
Drain valve – The drain valve is located on the inside of the dishwasher. It sometimes gets clogged with debris or may become stuck. It is the first place to check.
Drain Hose – The drain hose may become clogged with debris, especially where the hose makes a turn or where it enters into the garbage disposal. Try to squeeze the hose and work it manually to see if you can loosen the clog.
If you can’t loosen the clog in this way, remove the drain hose and force water through it with a garden hose.
Garbage Disposal – If water is backing up into the sink, it may be a problem with the garbage disposal. You can either try turning the garbage disposal on temporarily or operate it from underneath using an Allen wrench.
Air Gap – The air gap keeps water from flowing back into the dishwasher after it leaves. If it has become clogged, the dishwasher will not drain.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 23, 2021.
Maytag Dishwasher Force Drain Cycle
You can force your Maytag dishwasher to do a drain cycle by following these steps.
1. Open the door to stop the machine
2. With the door open, press the cancel/drain button. The button will light to let you know it is activated.
3. Close the door until the latch engages
4. The machine should start draining automatically.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 23, 2021.
If the force drain cycle does not work, you may need to empty the machine manually with a cup or small bowl. Check the drain system, including the valve, drain line, garbage disposal, and air gap for a clog.
Maytag Dishwasher Stuck on Drain
Is your Maytag dishwasher continually draining? If so, it may be a problem with your control panel.
It is not easy or perhaps even possible to test the control panel with a multi-meter. What you can do is remove the panel and visually inspect it with a magnifying glass. If you see any burned areas or cracks, it should be replaced.
Your Maytag dishwasher may also experience draining problems if there is a short in the wiring.
In most cases, Maytag dishwasher draining problems can be traced to a clog in the drain system. This can include the drain valve, drain hose, air gap, and garbage disposal. Clearing the clog will allow your dishwasher to drain properly.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 23, 2021.