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Maytag Washer Won’t Drain/Keeps Draining

Maytag is a subsidiary of Whirlpool and holds almost half of the market when it comes to popular washing machines. Such machines are used weekly, if not multiple times per week and can sometimes stop working.

A common reason for a Maytag washer continuously draining is a faulty or stuck drain pump relay on the control board. This relay controls the pump’s operation. To resolve, unplug the washer for a few minutes to reset the electronic components. If the issue persists, the control board might need replacement.

A clogged or kinked pressure hose can also lead to continuous draining. The hose connects the water level switch to the tub and can sometimes get blocked with debris or become kinked. Inspect the hose for any obstructions or kinks and clear them. If the hose appears damaged, consider replacing it to ensure proper function.

Maytag Washer Won't Drain/Keeps Draining

In this article we will discuss the common causes behind draining issues in your Maytag and what you can do to fix them at home. 

Maytag Washer Won’t Drain Properly 

Maytag Washer Won't Drain Properly

There are a few reasons why your washer is not draining properly, and most are easily fixed at home. If you notice that your washer is not draining or leaving behind wet clothes, consider the following:

  • Is the drain hose clear? A small kink in this hose can inhibit water flow and stop your machine from draining properly. Similarly, a blockage in the hose will affect how the water flows. 
  • Is the drain hose too high? In order for the drain hose to work, it must be no higher than 96 inches (244 cm) off the ground. If it is too high, you may find that the water is pushed back into the machine. 
  • Which cycle was selected? For a gentle/delicate cycle, the clothes are not spun in the same way, often leaving some water in the machine and wet clothes. 
  • How large was the load? If the washer is overloaded and tightly packed, it might struggle to drain properly.
  • Are there suds left over? Over use of detergent can clog the pump and prevent a proper wash and drain cycle. 
  • Is the lid closed/locked? If the lid has been opened during the cycle, or before the cycle has been allowed to finish, the machine will essentially stop. As a safety feature, the cycle will not continue, including drainage.
  • Have you checked the drain pump? The drain pump catches loose items and hair, keeping them from clogging the drain hose. However if this becomes too full, it will not work as well.

Many newer washing machines are equipped with displays that will give you an error code if it senses a problem. You can find the corresponding information in the manual to find out what the issue is. 

In the video below, you can see how to run a diagnostic on an older machine that does not have a digital display. You will need the technical manual in order to decipher the code: 

As you can see, understanding the codes can be complicated, but it is possible to run the diagnostic yourself to determine the problem.

What You Can Do

Before you begin, always try unplugging the machine, allowing it to power down for at least 30 seconds. Once plugged back in, the programs will have reset. In some cases, this is often enough to fix any internal bugs. At this point, you can run the diagnostic to try and receive an error code. 

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 15, 2020.

If you do not have the guide or ability to run the diagnostic, there are a few steps to take in order to check your machine. When checking your machine, always keep in unplugged and powered off completely. Also, shut off the water supply before accessing any internal parts. 

Check the Drain Hose for Obstructions

The best way to do this is to remove the hose from the machine and blow air through. If the hose is clear, air will flow easily. If there is something stuck, you won’t be able to force air through the hose. In this case, try removing the obstruction, but you may find it needs to be replaced.

Check the Drain Hose for Damage

If the drain hose is clear, it is still possible that there has been some damage that will require you to replace it with a new hose. In some cases, the hose can bend or become damaged after repeated use. You might see cracks or kinks that won’t straighten. If this is the case, it will need to be replaced. 

Check the Spin Cycle at the End of a Delicate Cycle

When running a gentle cycle, the machine is designed not to agitate the clothes too much, However, this often means a gentle spin which can leave clothes quite wet. 

When looking to use the gentle cycle, you should choose an additional spin to be performed before the cycle is finished. This will ensure any residual water will spin out. You can often select a short spin that won’t damage your clothing.

Check the Door Locking Mechanism

If your door won’t close properly, the washer may not perform its functions. Safety features will prevent any cycles from running in the event the door is not closed and locked, or if it is opened.

Check the door latch and lock for any damage and check that it will lock. You can do this by engaging the child lock to see if it will activate. 

In the event that the lid was opened (on a top-loading machine), the cycle will stop as a safety precaution. You may need to reset the machine and try the cycle again.

Check the Drain Pump 

Most front loading pumps can be located at the front, on the bottom, behind a removable cover. Be careful when removing the cover as it can have water inside. The best way is to have towels in place under the pump and a bucket to collect any water that may come out. 

Slowly open the front, allowing any water left inside to spill out. Remove the filter and clean the pump, removing any items that may have been collected in the filter. Clean the whole thing and replace.

In the video below, you can see how to locate and clean the drain pump on a front loading washer:

For top loading machines, the drain pump is often found at the back of the unit. Remove carefully and clean in the same way. Also, check the moving parts on the pump to make sure everything is in working order. 

If you don’t find any obstructions, it is possible that the pump has failed and will need to be replaced. This is best done by a professional to ensure everything is replaced correctly and in working order. 

Check Your Load Levels and Detergent Quantities

If you are overloading your machine with clothes, it will not function properly. By packing the machine, it will not cycle water through, or be able to drain well. Similarly, using too much detergent will cause an excess of suds that can actually clog the hose, making it difficult for water to drain out. Always follow the guideline suggested when adding detergent.

Maytag Washer Won’t Stop Draining 

Maytag Washer Won't Stop Draining

If your washer is continuously trying to drain, it is likely an issue with the drain pump. If the drain pump is clogged or somehow stuck open, your washer will continue to fill and drain, or try to drain even when there is no water left. 

Another reason your washer is continually draining is an issue with the water inlet valve. This valve is responsible for bringing water into your machine. Connected to the water mains, if this valve gets damaged or stops working, it can potentially keep running water into the machine. At which point the pump will keep trying to drain the machine of water. 

One last cause could be that the machine is in flood mode. This can happen when the machine takes a long time to fill, or when the water pressure drops suddenly. In this case, unplugging the unit for 30 minutes, to allow for a reset, should end the cycle. 

What You Can Do

As mentioned above, you should always unplug the washer and shut off the water before trying to diagnose any issues on your washing machine. 

Check the Drain Hose and Drain Pump

In the same way that a clogged hose or drain pump can prevent your machine from draining, it can also inhibit proper drainage. 

Follow the steps above to check your drain hose and drain pump for anything that could be impeding water flow. An obstruction can cause the drain to become stuck open. In this case, the machine may not sense that the drain is active and will continue to pump water into the machine. Removing anything that has become stuck will allow the pump to open and close as needed. 

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 15, 2020.

Check the Water Inlet Valve

This valve has hot and cold hoses connected to the water mains and is responsible for filling your machine when a cycle is selected. In the event the valve becomes damaged, or stops working, it is possible that it will continue to cycle water into your machine, which will cause the drain pump to engage. 

First, check the screen/filter for anything that could be causing an issue. It is not uncommon for this to become blocked. 

Second, you can carefully remove the valve and test the solenoid valve using a multimeter, once everything is switched off. If you do not receive a reading between 500 and 1500, the valve is not working and will need to be replaced. 

Final Thoughts

Always unplug your washer before beginning and manual diagnostics. Since many draining issues are due to blockages in the drain hose and pump, these should be the first thing you check. By cleaning and removing anything that may be caught, you should find that the problem is fixed. 

However, in the event that there are no blockages, you may need to check that the door lock is working, along with the water inlet valve. If either of these are damaged or not working, the machine may stop working properly. 

If you find no blockages and everything seems to be in working order, you should call a professional to service the washing machine. 

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 15, 2020.

Maytag Washer Keeps/Not Spinning/Rinsing