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My Maytag Washer Won’t Work: How to Fix

Maytag is the creator of some of the most popular washing machines on the market. They are known for their high-quality products that last a long time and for how well their machines hold up to their task; however, sometimes Maytag washers malfunction. If your Maytag washer won’t work, we’ll show you how to fix it – no plumber needed.

To fix your Maytag washer, you’ll need to check the locking mechanism for errors. Then make nothing’s obstructing the machine and that everything is securely placed. Finally, you’ll need to make sure all water and electric hookups are soundly connected to ensure your washer’s in prime condition.

In this piece, you’ll learn how to solve some of the most essential issues that arise with Maytag washing machines. Read on for more information on how to get your washer back up and running and get the laundry done more quickly.

If Your Maytag Washer Stays on “1 Minute”

Cause of the Issue

Sometimes your Maytag washer will hassle you by remaining on the “1 minute” marker, even though your laundry should have been done earlier. This is a frustrating issue, especially when you’re pressed for time and want your laundry out of the washer ASAP.

If your Maytag washer still says that there’s one minute left on the cycle even when you know your cycle should be done, you are likely dealing with a blocked drain pump.

It can be assumed that a blocked drain pump is your issue because the one minute mark on the cycle is approximately when the washer drains the water from your load of laundry. At the one minute mark, sensors are used to make sure that the drainage pipe is in working order, and if it isn’t, then nothing will drain.

How to Solve the Issue

According to an expert on appliance repairs from Just Answers, the best way to determine whether or not the drain pump is the issue is to take a peek at the pump itself. What the repairman suggests is to tip the washer back (safely) and take a look at the pump.

There are two possible results when looking at the washer pump. The first possibility is that something has obstructed the drainage pump, like excess material or something solid that fell out of a pocket during the cycle. If this is the case, you’ll need to clear the drainage pipe.

If nothing is stuck in the drainage pipe, then you’ll likely need to replace the pipe itself because it’s either worn down or something has damaged it irreparably.

If Your Maytag Washer Door “Locked” Light Is Flashing

Cause of the Issue

These days, almost all washing machines have a “lock” setting on them to ensure the safety of both the users and the machine. The locks also prevent curious children from opening the machines and getting hurt while the cycle is running.

Along with having the actual lock, most washing machines have a “locked’ light that turns on when the machine has locked itself – this is the case for Maytag washers. Generally, the “locked” light works when it needs to, but sometimes the locked button will blink when your machine is indicating a system error.

If your washing machine “locked” light is blinking, it means that there is some sort of obstruction in the locking mechanism.

How to Solve the Issue

In their troubleshooting section of the website, the Maytag company suggests that issues with a blinking lock light may be caused by issues with the actual lock itself. If the lock light is blinking, this means that the lock mechanism isn’t working.

The first suggestion that Maytag makes to fix a blinking lock light is to check the lock striker. The lock striker is the piece on the main washing drum that fits into a slot on the washing machine lid. If something is in the way of the striker or if the striker is misshapen, this will cause an error with the whole locking mechanism.

Another suggestion that Maytag makes is to check that there is no residue around the locking mechanism. Because washing machines see a lot of dirt and detergent buildup, there is a chance that something in the mechanism isn’t working properly. Maytag suggests gently cleaning the mechanism with soap and water.

If Your Maytag Washer Is Locked and Won’t Open

Cause of the Issue

There are times when your washing machine won’t cooperate, particularly when you’re in a rush and need clean clothes fast. If you’re wondering, “how do I get my Maytag washer to unlock?” we’ve got you covered.

If you’ve got a load of laundry in your Maytag washing machine that you just can’t get at because the machine’s locked up and won’t open, it’s important that you look at the “add garment” light on your machine and see whether it’s illuminated or not.

There are two different issues that you may face here, and according to the Maytag website, they each have their own solution – in one issue, the “add garment” light will be on, and in another, the light will be off.

How to Solve the Issue

If the “add garment” light is on and you’re trying to unlock your Maytag washing machine with no luck, you’re going to need to press the “pause” button, then the “start” button. This is because the machine believes your load is too light and that you need to add something to the load. 

Once you press the “pause” button, followed by the “start” button, it will think you’ve added a garment and will allow you to open the machine.

If the “add garment” light isn’t on, then you’ll need to use a different method. The best way to solve the issue of a locked machine with no “add garment” light on is to double-press the “pause” button. According to Maytag, this will unlock the door, although it may take around five minutes for the machine to drain.

If Your Maytag Washer Door Is Not Locking

Cause of the Issue

There is another issue that may be present when you’re trying to do your laundry, the opposite of the last problem – your washer won’t lock. Just like the previous issue of a blinking lock light, this is an issue related to the locking mechanism that needs to be solved in order to get your laundry done and get on with your day.

If your Maytag washer door is not locking, you’re dealing with an issue in the locking mechanism. The issue is usually that the lock striker isn’t working properly. Remember: the lock striker is the piece of metal that swings out from the washing drum and clicks into the washer lid to lock it.

How to Solve the Issue

The easiest way to test whether or not the lock striker is working – is to use a multimeter. A multimeter is a device that tests the electrical current to certain devices. Repair Clinic suggests using one of these to make sure that the striker unit is still receiving charge. If not, you’ll need to replace it.

Another way that you can fix a non-locking washer door on your Maytag device is to double check that nothing in the physical structure of the machine has been altered. If any part of the locking mechanism has been misshapen, then the machine won’t lock. Again, this will require repair and replacement.

If Your Maytag Washer Keeps Filling

Cause of the Issue

If you have a Maytag washer overflowing all over your laundry room, there’s no doubt you’re going to need to solve the problem quickly. This is a frustrating and messy issue, but fortunately, there is a very common issue that’s easy to solve.

The most common reason behind an overflowing washing machine is a defective water inlet valve. When you hook your washing machine up to the water supply in your home, one of the components of the tubing systems you use is called a water inlet valve. This is the piece of equipment that keeps water from overflowing or leaking out.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on August 23, 2020.

If you don’t have a functioning water inlet valve, your washing machine won’t stop filling up because it doesn’t have a way to halt the filling process. This spells doom for your laundry process.

How to Solve the Issue

The repairmen at Repair Clinic have provided an easy diagnostic tool for figuring out whether or not you have a defective water inlet valve. The best way to do this is to turn the power to your washing machine off. If you still hear and see water flooding in, then you’ve solved it!

If you’ve used this test and find out that the water inlet valve is the issue, then you’ll simply need to replace it. The following video gives you a great how-to on solving this major issue in your laundry room:

If Your Maytag Washer Is Not Draining Fully

Cause of the Issue

Sometimes when we go to collect our laundry and put it in the dryer or hang it up to dry, we find that our clothes have been soaked and not drained. Drainage is one of the most important components of the mechanical washing process because it helps clothes dry faster.

If you’re noticing that your Maytag washing machine isn’t draining fully, then you’re likely dealing with one of two problems, both of which can be solved rather easily.

The first reason that your washer may not be draining properly is because of an issue with the drain hose that’s attached to your machine. If the drainage hose is kinked or if there’s something stuck inside of it, then it won’t drain your loads properly.

Another reason that your load isn’t draining is that you’ve used too much detergent in your wash. Maytag mentions on their website that adding too much detergent can create too many bubbles that inhibit drainage.

How to Solve the Issue

When you’re dealing with a washing machine that won’t drain, check out the drainage hose. See if there is something wrong with it – maybe it’s gotten tangled with something else near your washing machine, or perhaps there is a kink in it. If this is the issue, all you’ll need to do is rearrange the hose, so this won’t happen again.

If you’re dealing with too much detergent in your load of laundry, the solution is simple – use less detergent! Since Maytag washing machines are now High Efficiency (HE), they need even less detergent than in the past. Check out your detergent bottle, make sure your soap of choice is HE-friendly, and follow the instructions on the label.

If Your Maytag Washer Start Button Isn’t Working

Cause of the Issue

It may happen that, one day, the start button on your Maytag washing machine won’t work. This is the button that makes everything happen – this is one of the worst possible problems that could arise! However, you’re in luck – a “defective” start button is actually one of the easiest issues to solve when it comes to easy at-home washer repairs on your Maytag.

If the start button on your Maytag washer isn’t working, it’s most likely because the washer has been disconnected from the power source. In layman’s terms, this means that your washer’s probably unplugged. But don’t feel silly! This can happen to anyone for a number of reasons.

How to Solve the Issue

Like we previously mentioned, solving the issue of an unpowered Maytag washer is easy. Make sure that you have safe access to the back side of your washing machine. You’ll need to locate the socket into which you’ve plugged your washing machine. Check first to see if it’s plugged in.

If your washer isn’t plugged in, it’s likely that you’ll need to reset the outlet. That is likely the issue because washers use a decent amount of power. If that still doesn’t resolve the problem, then reset the outlet at the breaker.

If Your Maytag Washer Isn’t Spinning

Cause of the Issue

Sometimes when you’ve gotten everything loaded into your washer, drizzled in your favorite detergent, the water’s filled, and the machines ready to go, your Maytag washer won’t spin. This is such a frustrating issue because you don’t know that it’s a problem until it’s too late – you already have your laundry soaking wet and soapy.

There is one main issue that’s the problem when you’re dealing with a washing machine that won’t spin. If you’re dealing with this issue, it’s likely that you have clothes that are stuck in the washer. This can be caused by extra-large loads of laundry, as well as stuffing in pieces of laundry that are big and unwieldy (think quilts, comforters, or large towels).

Another reason that your washer won’t spin is that the lid lock won’t work. Much like the other issues on this list, malfunctioning locks are a huge issue and will halt the laundry process in its tracks because of safety measures built into the machine.

How to Solve the Issue

To solve the issue of a washing machine that won’t spin, you’ll need to first see if there are clothes or pieces of laundry down at the bottom of the machine that are keeping the drum from spinning. You may have to do a bit of digging, but you’ll easily figure out if you need to cut down on the amount of clothing in your load.

As a rule of thumb, you should only fill your washing machine up to the top loosely. You shouldn’t have to pack in as many pieces of clothing as you can into one load. This not only leaves some of your clothes dirty, but it can also damage the machine.

If you’re still dealing with a spin-less machine even after you’ve unstuck any clothing, then take a look at the lock. If your machine isn’t locking, then you’ve found the issue. As we mentioned previously, issues with the lock mechanism can be varied, so peek back at the section on non-locking washers to continue solving the issue.

Final Thoughts

Maytag washers are some of the best on the market today. With HE technology and more sustainable water usage, they are ideal for most households. However, as with any tech, washing machines can present pesky issues. In this article, we’ve covered what to do if:

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on August 23, 2020.

  • Your machine stays on “1 minute”
  • The locked light is flashing
  • The door won’t open
  • The door won’t lock
  • Your machine is overflowing
  • Your washer won’t drain
  • The start button won’t work
  • The machine won’t spin.

We hope these solutions will help you figure out what’s wrong with your washing machine and repair it easily. Hiring someone for repairs can be pricey, so it’s best to do it yourself when you can. Best of luck!

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Maytag Washer Won’t Drain/Keeps Draining

Maytag Washer Won’t Turn On/Turn Off/Start/Stop Running

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on August 23, 2020.

Maytag Washer Keeps/Not Spinning/Rinsing