When one of life’s conveniences stops working properly, it suddenly becomes one of the most inconvenient things we own. Such is the case when a Maytag Dishwasher will not start. In many cases, the solution is simple, if you know where to look.
A simple reason why a Maytag dishwasher will not start is that the door is not properly latched. It can also be traced to a problem with the door sensor switch, which can malfunction and cause the dishwasher to think the door is open.
Aside from those issues, there may be some other problems that are leading to your dishwasher problems. Here is a list that you can consider. We are also providing some specific fixes for times when the problem is harder to repair.
Maytag Dishwasher Will Not Start
When a Maytag dishwasher won’t start, don’t rule out the possibility that it may be a power issue. In fact, there are numerous things that could lead to a lack of power.
Tripped Breaker – One of the first places to look is in the breaker box. If a breaker trips, it will keep power from flowing to the dishwasher and it will not start. In addition, none of the lights or chimes will work.
Turning the breaker back on is the easiest way to fix this problem but keep in mind that if the breaker tripped one time, it is likely to trip again.
There may be too many appliances on the circuit, which is likely the case if you are sharing it with other kitchen appliances. Even a toaster can add a lot of load to the breaker, causing it to trip.
If possible, run the dishwasher on its own circuit. If you must share the circuit, don’t use any other kitchen appliances while the dishwasher is operating.
Receptacle – Although receptacles will often outlast the appliance, there are going to be times when a receptacle goes bad. Don’t rule out this possibility as a simple fix.
In order to test the receptacle, purchase an inexpensive electrical tester. They are shaped similar to a pen and cost around $10 at the hardware store. When you put it near the receptacle, it will let you know if there is electricity flowing or not.
Power Cord – If there are any issues with the power cord, either at the plug or where it connects to the dishwasher, it may not allow electricity to flow. A new power cord should be used with every new dishwasher install.
If you are comfortable doing so, open the panel and check the connections. It is best if you do this when the power has been turned off at the breaker box.
If there are any loose wire nuts or obvious issues, such as a burnt wire, you should call an electrician and have them repair it.
Extension Cords – You should be plugging the dishwasher directly into a receptacle. It is not recommended that you use an extension cord or that you share the receptacle with other devices.
If you must use an extension cord or a multi-plug cord to run your dishwasher, make sure that it is heavy-duty. You should also not run other electrical appliances at the same time and on the same circuit.
Door Not Closed – If the door comes open during the cycle, or if it is not closed properly, the dishwasher is not going to start. It was designed that way as a safety feature.
Of course, the door may be closed but the dishwasher might still think it is open if the latch or sensor switch is not operating properly.
You can check the latch by pulling on the door. If it comes open without operating the latch, it needs to be replaced. It may also be a problem with the strike plate.
You can also check the switch by either operating it manually or unplugging the dishwasher and checking continuity with a multi-meter. Be cautious when you operate the switch manually because the dishwasher may come on.
Thermal Fuse – The thermal fuse was designed to shut the machine off automatically if it gets too hot. If the thermal fuse is shorting out or has gone bad, the dishwasher will not start.
Control Board – There may be a problem with the control board. It is difficult or impossible to test the board but you can remove it and look at it carefully with a magnifying glass.
If you see any cracks or burnt areas on the control board, it should be replaced.
No Water – A dishwasher needs enough water to run continually. After checking to see if the water is turned on, look for a pinched water line. You should also check the water supply and see if it is strong enough.
If you have a problem with a weak water supply, try setting your dishwasher and running it in the middle of the night.
Interrupted Cycle – Dishwashers have a memory and if your dishwasher stops in the middle of a cycle, it will try to start at that point. It may also pause and not want to restart.
You can perform a hard reset by turning off the power at the breaker box or unplugging the dishwasher. Leave it unplugged for anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes and then plug it back in. It should start from the beginning the next time you run it.
Have a different brand of dishwasher, checkout our dishwasher not starting article.
Maytag Dishwasher Beeps but Won’t Start
When your dishwasher beeps and won’t start, you are getting power to it but there is still a problem.
The first thing to do is check the panel and see if there is some type of error message or code. If there is, check with your manual and it should tell you what the problem is.
There may also be some other issues that can cause this problem, including the following:
Power Outage – If the power is interrupted in the middle of a cycle or if the door is opened while the dishwasher is running, it will stop running at that point. It may not restart until you disconnect the dishwasher from the power for one minute and reconnect it again.
Power Surge – At times, a problem with a power surge may simply interrupt the cycle. You can reset your Maytag by shutting off the power for up to five minutes.
A power surge can also be very damaging and it may have damaged the board or other internal components.
Although you cannot test the board easily, you can pull the control board and look at it, along with the power ribbon under a magnifying glass. If you see any issues, such as cracks or burnt areas in the circuits, it will need to be replaced.
Anti-Flood Device – This type of device is available in some Maytag dishwashers. When it detects a problem, it shuts the machine down and alerts you to the issue with an audible noise.
The purpose of the anti-flood device is to keep the dishwasher from running and prevent possible flooding. It can also be inconvenient when the anti-flood device malfunctions.
Maytag Dishwasher Won’t Start Red Light Flashing
A problem with a red flashing light can often be traced back to the control lock. The control lock is activated by holding down the appropriate buttons (see the manual that came with your dishwasher) for three seconds.
If the control lock was inadvertently activated, you can turn it off by holding down those buttons for three seconds as well.
Another issue that can lead to red lights flashing and the dishwasher not running is if the door has opened. This can be due to a problem with the latch or it may be a malfunction in the door switch.
Check the latch and switch with a multi-meter. If there is a problem or if the door pulls open easily, you may need to replace them.
Finally, you may have a problem with an interrupted cycle. This can be due to the door opening while the machine is running or a power outage.
Reset the machine back to the beginning of the cycle by turning off the power for up to five minutes. You can do this by unplugging your Maytag dishwasher or switching it off at the circuit panel.
Maytag Dishwasher Starts Then Cancels
One of the most common issues that lead to a Maytag dishwasher starting and then canceling is a bad touch panel. The touch panel can be removed and you can clean it carefully with a pencil eraser.
At times, you may need to replace the touch panel, and it may also be connected to the control panel.
If you have locked the control panel inadvertently, you can hold down the heated dry button for three seconds and then release it. This will typically start the machine operating again.
A power failure or power surge can cause problems with the machine starting and stopping. You may need to replace some of the interior components if they have become damaged, including the control panel.
Maytag Dishwasher Start Button Keeps Flashing
Is the start button on your Maytag dishwasher continuously flashing? This is a problem with the door switch not working properly. It is either malfunctioning or is loose and not making contact.
The door switch tells the control panel that the door has been closed and it allows the dishwasher to operate. You can check the door switch by turning the power off and using a multi-meter to check continuity.
Other issues that cause the start button to flash include the start button pad going bad. You can replace the button panel or operate it multiple times to see if it gets unstuck.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 23, 2021.
Maytag Dishwasher Start Button Won’t Light Up
One other frustrating problem is when the dishwasher start button is not lighting up. Of course, the dishwasher may operate properly but if you really want the light to come on, try the following.
Remove the control panel touchpad and ribbon cable. Give them a visual inspection using a magnifying glass and if burnt areas or cracks are detected, they need to be replaced. You can also check the cable pins for continuity, although it is not easy to do so.
If you don’t mind scratching the unit a little, you can pry up the control pad overlay with the edge of a blade. Once you have access to the button areas, you can clean them gently.
Be careful that you don’t damage the board while cleaning it.
In almost all cases, a Maytag dishwasher will not start due to problems with the door not closing completely and latching. This could either be a user error or because the dishwasher latch has malfunctioned. Replace the latch and the dishwasher will start again.
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Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 23, 2021.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 23, 2021.