Beneath the sleek exterior of your Maytag washer lies a world of intricate coordination between hundreds of components.

However:

With every agitation and spin, a pandora of mishaps awaits their moment to disrupt your laundry routine.

Now:

Before you dial your repair technician, who probably won’t show up immediately, know that many of these hiccups are no biggie.

This post explores 10 common Maytag washer problems, step-by-step troubleshooting guidance, and how to fix them.

No longer will you be a slave to common washer mishaps.

10 Common Challenges and Effective Solutions for Maytag Washers

Now:

In this post, I am not alone. Joining me is Cole Waldron, a Richmond, VA-based appliance repair technician.

Cole starts with what he calls the first line of defense.

According to him,  “The first troubleshooting step for every problem should be resetting the washer and running it in diagnostic mode.”

Resetting resolves minor problems caused by a software glitch, while the diagnostic mode tells you the problem and the affected component.  

Now that we’ve cleared the surface, let’s dive deeper.

1. Maytag Washer Won’t Turn On or Start

Commonly Affected Parts	Estimated Cost
Lid switch	$10-$50
Door lock	$20-$100
Control panel	$50-$300
Timer	$100-$400
Capacitor	$50-$100
Drive motor	$100-$400

Now:

When a Maytag washer won’t start or turn on, it’s normally a panic-inducing moment, as most users assume the machine has died on them.

Luckily, it’s a common problem with many easy fixes.

Cole says, “If the washer is not turning on, the first culprit should be incoming power.”

Some possible issues include a tripped circuit breaker, a loose electrical outlet, or a damaged power cord.

On the other hand,

If the washer lights are on but won’t start, it’s mostly due to a faulty component.

Here are other top culprits behind a washer that won’t start.

• User oversight, such as activating delayed start or locking the control panel.
• The washer is stuck
• A faulty lid switch or door latch.
• Problems with the control panel
• Malfunctioning timer
• Faulty capacitor
• Problems with the drive motor

2. Maytag Washer Won’t Spin

Commonly Affected Parts	Estimated Cost
Drive hub kit	$5-$30
Lid switch	$20-$100
Shift actuator	$20-100
Capacitor	$50-$100
Drive belts	$20-$70
Motor coupling	$20-$50

Occasionally, you may encounter a rather peculiar scenario with your Maytag washer.

It will work through the wash cycle, only to quit on you when it’s time to spin. Sometimes, it will spin, but you will end up with a soggy load.

According to Cole…

“Symptoms of this problem include the drum or tub not spinning and displaying error codes for any of the parts involved in spinning.”

Some of the most common causes of spinning problems include

• Worn-out washer drive hub kit
• Faulty washer lid switch
• Faulty shift actuator
• Bad capacitor
• Damaged or loose drive belts
• Faulty motor coupling
• An item stuck between the tubs

Check out our comprehensive post that delves deeper into each of these causes.

PRO TIP: Beware of user oversight.

Recently, I was called to fix a Maytag LAT9416AAE washer that was not spinning. However, I  quickly realized the owner had selected a no-spin cycle.

3. Maytag Washer Won’t Drain

Commonly Affected Parts	Estimated Cost
Shift actuator	$20-$100
Drain pump	$50-$200
Timer	$200-$450
Control board	$50-$200
Drive belts	$20-$70

Other times, your Maytag washer will attempt to double as an aquarium. Despite the agitation and spinning, it won’t drain.

So what do you do?

According to Maytag, draining problems are mostly caused by a clogged, kinked, or improperly fitted drain hose.

However, most of the cases reported in our Facebook Group end up being caused by a faulty component.

Here, I am referring to a faulty shift actuator, damaged drive belts, and a malfunctioning drain pump.

Additional triggers behind this problem include

• Clogged drain filter or drain pump
• Clogged standpipe or sewer line
• Installing the drain hose too high
• Poor load distribution
• Overloading
• Using too much detergent

Here is our ultimate guide to the mysteries of a Maytag washer that refuses to drain. 

4. Maytag Washer Won’t Fill With Water

Commonly Affected Parts	Estimated Replacement Cost
Water inlet valve	$50-$100
Water level pressure switch	$50-$100
Timer	$200-$450
Lid switch	$20-$70
Control board	$50-$200

Now:

A washing machine without water is like a car without gas; – it’s destined to stall.

Your Maytag washer may develop different water-filling problems, such as not filling at all, slow filling, and overfilling.

Cole says…

“The causes of these problems range from simple user oversight, such as an activated delayed start, to a faulty component, such as the water level pressure switch.“

Recently:

I came across a Maytag MVW7230HW0 washer with this exact problem.

The culprit? A malfunctioning water level sensor that would cause the washer to stop filling with water prematurely.

If you are facing this problem, the trick is to troubleshoot the components involved during the water-filling process.

Other potential causes that could be at play include

• User oversight
• Clogged or faulty water inlet valve
• A problem with the timer
• Broken lid switch
• Issues with the control board
• Low water pressure
• Improper installation of the drain hose

See our dedicated guide on the causes and fixes for a Maytag washer with water-filling problems.

5. Maytag Washer Is Leaking From The Bottom

Commonly Affected Parts	Estimated Replacement Cost
Drain pump	$50-$400
Water inlet valve	$50-$200
Dispenser drawer	$50-$150
Tub-to-pump hose	$20-$70
Water level switch	$50-$300
Tub	$200-$1000

Now:

A Maytag washer leaking from the bottom is one of the messiest issues I have dealt with.

Luckily, most of the causes are easy to diagnose and fix.

According to Cole, “The first thing to do is confirm if the leak is coming from any of the fill or drain hoses.”

To add to his point:

Confirm if it’s actually water; sometimes, it can be oil.

Secondly, confirm when the leak is happening; during fill, agitation, or spinning. Also, the location of the leak (top, front, bottom, back)

For instance, this user on Reddit found the leak was from water backing up from the standpipe and not from his Maytag MHW6630HC3 washer.

If the leak isn’t coming from any of the hoses, there are other culprits to consider, including:

• Damaged or cracked drain pump
• The washer may be overfilling
• Leaking water inlet valve
• Torn tub seal
• Cracked dispenser drawer
• Defective tub-to-pump-hose
• Malfunctioning water level switch
• Clogged water pump
• Defective door seal or gasket
• Cracked or damaged tub

6. Maytag Washer Vibrating Or Shaking Violently

Commonly Affected Parts	Estimated Replacement Cost
Shock absorbers	$50-$150
Suspension rod	$50-$130
Transmission	$250-$700
Snubber ring	$20-$50

Now:

While It’s normal for your washer to shake a little during the spin cycle, loud vibrations and erratic movements are telltale signs that something is wrong.

“This can damage both the machine and the floor. Also, the water connections can disengage, leading to a leak,” Cole says.

Below is a summary of the different causes of this problem:

• The shipping bolts have not been removed
• Overloading
• Unbalanced load
• Broken or worn-out shock absorbers
• Broken suspension rods
• Damaged transmission
• Worn-out snubber ring
• Off-balance drum or tub
• Uneven or unstable floor
• The machine is not level

7. Maytag Washer Machine Has A Burning Smell

Commonly Affected Parts	Estimated Replacement Cost
Shock absorbers	$50-$150
Suspension rod	$50-$130
Transmission	$250-$700
Snubber ring	$20-$50

Another dangerous problem that requires immediate attention to prevent a fire hazard is a burning smell coming from the washer.

But where do you start?

• Step 1: Disconnect the washer from the power.
• Step 2: Hunt down the source of the smell.

According to Cole, “While there are multiple culprits for this problem, your first suspects should be the belts and pulley systems.”

Here, Cole is talking about the pump and drive belts, as they are prone to overheating because of friction.

Other culprits behind a burning smell include

• Overheating drain pump
• A blowout on the control board
• Overheating drive motor
• Motor pulley and other pulley assemblies
• Direct drive motor coupling
• The clutch assembly
• Spring and glide
• Wiring connections

8. Maytag Washer Door Won’t Lock or Unlock

Commonly Affected Parts	Estimated Replacement Cost
Door latch	$50-$150
Door lock	$50-$130
Control board	$50-$300

Now:

One of my latest repair tasks was a Maytag MHW6630HC3 washer with a door that could not lock.

I have also seen queries in our Facebook Group about Maytag washer doors refusing to unlock after a wash cycle.

So, these are common problems.

Now:

According to Cole, “If you are facing a washer with a door that refuses to lock or unlock, start by troubleshooting the door latch (door lock for a top-load washer).“

To add to his point…

Inspect for obstructions on the door or lid, such as a piece of clothing or debris.

Also:

The washer may be getting a false signal that there is a lot of water in the drum and hence won’t open.

Additional causes for this problem include

• Misaligned door strike
• Malfunctioning control board
• Broken door switch
• Wiring issues

9. Maytag Washer Won’t Agitate

Commonly Affected Parts	Estimated Replacement Cost
Drive belt	$20-$70
Agitator coupler	$10-$30
Agitator dogs	$5-$30
Transmission	$250-$700
Control board	$50-$300
Pressure switch	$50-$100
Door latch	$50-$200
Shift actuator	$20-$100
Timer	$200-$450
Selector switch	$30-$100
Drive motor	$200-$400

Now:

You have to give it up to washers for how creative they can get when they want to cause trouble.

Sometimes, out of nowhere, your washer may refuse to agitate.

As Cole explains,

“This problem is mostly caused by a faulty agitator or one of the directly connected components.”

Here, he is talking about:

• Malfunctioning drive belt
• Worn-out or damaged agitator coupler
• Damaged agitator dogs
• A problem with the transmission
• Malfunctioning control board
• Wiring or electrical issues

Other indirect causes include:

• Unbalanced load
• Overloading
• Faulty pressure switch
• Damaged or worn drive pulley
• Malfunctioning door or lid
• Defective drain pump
• Faulty door latch
• Faulty shift actuator
• Timer failure
• Defective selector switch

10. Maytag Washer Is Showing An Error Code

Now:

Sometimes your washer will stop working and surprise you with an error code.

As you know, error codes are how your washer communicates when something goes wrong.

There are the active faulty codes that display on the screen and the passive codes that are stored in the washer’s memory.

As Cole says, “You will need your user manual to understand what the error code means.”

Below is a compilation of some of the most common error codes and their meanings:

Error Code	Description
F8 E1	Water supply issue. The washer is not detecting the right amount of water.
F0 E5	Unbalanced load. The washer has detected that the load is off-balance.
LF or F8 E5	Long fill error. The washer takes too long to fill with water.
F7 E1	No motor movement has been detected. The washer has not sensed the motor moving.
F9 E1	Long drain error. The washer is taking too long to drain or doesn’t drain.
F5 E2	Door lock error. The washer door has failed to lock properly.
F1 E2	Motor control error. An issue with the motor control circuit.
F3 E1	Water level pressure sensor error.
F6 E2 or F6 E3	Communication error between the main control and the user interface.
SD (5D) or SUD	Suds error. The washer has detected excessive soap suds.
F2 E1	Stuck key error. A button on the control panel is stuck or held too long.
F0 E2	Too much detergent has been used.
F8 E3	Overflow error. The washer detects a water level that exceeds its limit.
F7 E7	The motor is unable to reach the target RPM. A sign of a potential issue with the motor.
F5 E1	Door switch error. The door is not perceived as being not closed properly.
F1 E1	Main control error. An issue with the main electronic control board.
F8 E2	Dispenser system error. A problem with the detergent dispenser.
F4 E1	Heater relay or connector problem.
F0 E1	Load detected during a clean wash cycle.
F6 E1	Communication error between the motor control board and the main control board.

Other Common Maytag Washer Problems And Their Causes

Maytag Washer Won’t Stop Filling With Water	Faulty water inlet valve Defective pressure switch or float switch Blocked or damaged pressure switch hose Malfunctioning control board Faulty timer Blocked drain hose Faulty water inlet valve
Maytag Washer Won’t Complete a Cycle	Faulty door or lid switch Malfunctioning control board Defective timer Faulty, blocked or clogged drain pump Worn-out motor coupling Faulty water inlet valve Damaged drive belts Sensor malfunction Software glitch Failed water level switch
Maytag Washer Display Is Stuck	Stuck button Software glitch Outdated firmware Faulty wiring connections Power fluctuations or outages Faulty display panel malfunctioning control board
Maytag Washer Is Stuck On Sensing	Faulty lid switch or door lock Defective load sensing sensor Malfunctioning control board Faulty water inlet valve Incorrect drainpipe placement Defective motor control board Worn-out drive belt Failed actuator switch Worn out motor coupling
Maytag Washer Won’t Select Cycle or Cancel Setting	Faulty control board Stuck or unresponsive buttons Faulty touchpad or user interface Software glitch Washer is stuck Faulty wiring connections to the control panel Locked control panel
Maytag Washer Won’t Fill With Cold Water	Clogged cold water inlet valve Blocked cold water supply hose Blocked inlet valve screen Faulty temperature sensor Incorrect hose connection Cold water pressure issues Software glitch
Maytag Washer Leaves Stains And Dirt On Clothes	Overloading the washer Using too much detergent Using wrong type of detergent A dirty washer drum Insufficient water Malfunctioning agitator Detergent dispensers are clogged Dirty water supply
Maytag Washer Won’t Spin Clothes Dry Or  Won’t Spin Fast Enough	Using the wrong wash cycle Worn drive belt Worn clutch or transmission Damaged motor coupler Worn shock absorbers or springs

Most Affected Maytag Models

Now:

There are hundreds of Maytag washer models, each with its own quirks and glitches.

Luckily, this guide applies to every washer from this brand, regardless of its name.

• Maytag Centennial Washer
• Maytag Commercial Washer
• Maytag Washer MVW6200KW0
• Maytag Washer MVWX655DW1
• Maytag Washer MVW7232HW0
• Maytag Washer MVW6230HW0
• Maytag Washer Model MVWB765FW3
• Maytag Washer MVW6200KW2
• Maytag Washer MVWB766FW1
• Maytag Washer Model MVWC565FW1
• Maytag Washer Legacy Series
• Maytag Washer MVWB765FW1
• Maytag Washer ATLANTIS
• Maytag Washer MVWC565FW2
• Maytag Washer MVWC465HW2
• Maytag Washer MVWC565FW1
• Maytag Washer Model MVWB865GW0
• Maytag Washer LAT2500AAE
• Maytag 2000 Series
• Maytag 3000 Series
• Maytag Bravos
• Maytag Neptune
• Maytag 4000 Series
• Maytag Maxima
• Maytag Epic Z Washer
• Maytag 5000 Series

In Conclusion….

Alright, friends, – There is no Maytag washer owner who is immune from the above woes. They happen to the best of us. But fear not.

While the list of issues is long, they’re often not too hard to troubleshoot. This guide has the magic fix to most of the common Maytag washer woes, including

• not spinning,
• not starting,
• not filling with water,
• not draining,
• not agitating, among others.

If you find yourself facing an issue that is too complex or daunting, don’t hesitate to tag in a professional or contact the Maytag support team.

Also, check out our Repair Community for free advice and consultation about your appliances.

Let me know your experience with your Maytag washer in the comment section below.

Frequently Asked Questions