Maytag washer not starting
Common reasons your Maytag washer is not starting
The most common reasons your Maytag washer is not starting are a malfunctioning electronic control board, jammed door lock assembly or a faulty user interface.
67% of the time it's the
Electronic Control Board
19% of the time it's the
Door Lock Assembly
8% of the time it's the
User Interface Control
6% of the time it's the
Something else
Most common repairs needed to fix a Maytag washer
Electronic Control Board Replacement
A malfunctioning electronic control board can lead to various failures in a washer. This is because the board serves as the brain of the washer, controlling crucial components such as the water valve, drive motor, drain pump, and cycles. If the electronic control board fails, the washer may not power up or display the cycle status. Additionally, it might fail to fill, agitate, spin, or drain. In some cases, a shorted board may emit a burning smell.
Door Lock Assembly Replacement
When a washer door lock assembly is jammed, you may encounter difficulty in opening or closing the washer door. The door may not latch properly, leading to issues in starting or completing a wash cycle. The washer might display an error code indicating a door lock problem. During operation, the door lock may make unusual clicking sounds or fail to engage, preventing the washer from starting. Additionally, if there is a malfunction, the door lock indicator light may not illuminate as expected. Users might notice water remaining in the drum even after the wash cycle has finished, indicating a potential problem with the door lock assembly preventing proper drainage.
User Interface Control Replacement
A faulty user interface control may become unresponsive and won’t allow you to change wash cycle settings or turn the washer on and off. In some failures, only one or two buttons or dials on the interface are affected, but in some cases the entire interface will be completely dead. Cycle status such as time remaining in the cycle won’t display properly on a defective user interface. Control keys or buttons on the user interface may also stick, causing the washer to exhibit inconsistent behavior, such as starting or stopping unexpectedly during a cycle. Error codes may also be present.
What to expect when you experience a Maytag washer not starting issue
How is the not starting problem fixed?
Correcting most not starting problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, door lock assembly or user interface control. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a washer that is not starting
When the washer is not starting it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of washer failures.
What to look out for with a washer not starting diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your washer problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
What To Do When Your Maytag Washer Will Not Start
When your Maytag washer will not start, make sure the lid is fully closed or the washer door is fully shut.
Check to see if the Control Lock is turned on. You may see one of these 3 indications that the Control Lock is turned on depending on your model of washer:
- The lock icon on the control panel is illuminated.
- Loc appears in the control panel digital display.
- LC is displayed on the control panel.
Look for the control panel button or buttons that enable and disable the Control Lock feature. The button(s) vary by model but are typically marked on the control panel. Press and hold the button(s) for 3 deliberate seconds to unlock the control panel if you find it locked. Refer to your owner’s manual for more information about the Control Lock feature on your model if necessary.
If the control won’t unlock or the control panel is unresponsive and not locked, unplug the washer for 2 minutes to reset the electronic control board and then plug the power cord back in to restore electrical power. After the electronic control board reboots, the washer control panel may work normally.
If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t work, you’ll likely need to schedule washer repair service to have our Sears Home Services technician fix one of these failures when your Maytag washer will not start:
- Defective electronic control board.
- Faulty door or lid switch or lock/switch assembly.
- Bad control panel or user interface control.
Our technician will be able to diagnose the starting problem and fix the failure so you can begin using your Maytag washer again.
Maytag Washer Turns On but Won’t Start the Cycle
When your Maytag washer turns on but won’t start the cycle, press in on the washer door if you have a front load washer to make sure that the door is fully shut. Check for debris or residue in the door catch. Unplug the washer and clear media out of the door catch if necessary. Check the condition of the door strike and replace that part if it’s damaged.
For a Maytag top-load washer that turns on but won’t start the cycle, make sure the lid is fully shut. Check the condition of the lid strike and replace that part if it’s damaged. Check for debris or deposits in the lid lock assembly catch. Unplug the washer and clear out media from the lid lock assembly catch if necessary.
Check to see if the Control Lock is enabled. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to disable the Control Lock if it’s turned on.
Reset the electronic control board by unplugging the washing machine power cord for 2 minutes. Plug the power cord back in and the washer may work properly. If not, one of these failures may be preventing your Maytag washer from starting:
- Bad electronic control board.
- Faulty lid or door lock/switch assembly.
- Defective control panel.
- Wiring failure.
Schedule washer repair service through Sears Home Services and we’ll send a technician to your home to fix the Maytag washer that turns on but won’t start the cycle.
Fixing a Maytag Top Load Washer that Won’t Start the Cycle
Check the lid to make sure that it’s fully shut when your Maytag top load washer won’t start the cycle.
- Clear any obstructions blocking the lid from closing.
- Check the lid strike for damage and replace that part if necessary.
- Check the lid catch for debris or deposits. Unplug the washer and clear media out of the lid catch.
Check the Control Lock feature and turn the Control Lock off if it’s enabled.
Reset the electronic control board by unplugging the power cord for 2 minutes to completely disconnect electrical power from the washing machine. Plug the power cord back in. The electric control board will reboot and may begin working properly so you can start the washer.
Maytag Centennial Washer Won’t Start
A problem with the lid switch will often be the problem when your Maytag Centennial washer won’t start.
- Make sure the lid is fully shut. Clear any obstructions that could be preventing the lid from fully closing.
- Check the lid strike for damage and replace that part if necessary.
- Unplug the washer and check the mounting screws for the lid switch. Tighten those screws if necessary.
If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help, schedule washer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix your Maytag Centennial washer that won’t start.
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Repair Washer Resources
Learn how a pressure transducer works to detect water level in a washing machine.
Learn how a top-load washing machine works and how to use and maintain the washer.
Learn how a mixing valve works to control water temperature in a washer.
Learn why your washer drum is loose and banging around and get professional advice on fixing it. Contact Sears Home Services for a reliable repair service.
Glossary Terms
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.
A washing machine pedestal is a platform that raises the washer off the ground, providing easier access to the appliances and often includes additional storage space such as drawers.
A washer tub is the interior part of a washing machine where clothes are placed for washing, typically made of stainless steel, plastic, or porcelain-coated metal, designed to hold water and withstand the agitation or spinning during the wash cycle.
Fabric softener is a laundry additive used to soften and freshen clothing, reduce static cling, and make fabrics feel smoother.