Pick the check that matches what you see
- Deal with a continuing leak before trying controls or running a cycle.
- Otherwise, check power, door closure and control settings first. Then follow the filling, draining or dirty-dishes branch that matches what you see.
- If the checks don't resolve it, or you're uncomfortable continuing, arrange appliance service.
A lit panel with no wash underway can come down to a locked control, a delayed start or a door that hasn't latched. We'd check those operating conditions before cleaning anything, because they can prevent a cycle from starting even when the dishwasher has power.
Our working order is containment first, startup checks next, then the branch matching your symptom. If the machine starts but stays dry, follow the filling checks. If water remains or dishes come out dirty, move to those checks instead of working through every branch.
Before troubleshooting, get familiar with your dishwasher's parts and use its model number to find the applicable owner's manual. Maytag's product-help resources (opens in a new tab) direct you to model-based documents, which matter especially for control-lock buttons and filter removal.
Water is reaching the floor
Place towels or a shallow tray at the door edge to contain escaping water, and use a wet/dry vacuum for standing water. These are the containment measures in Maytag's leak guidance (opens in a new tab).
For water along the front edge or corners, inspect the rubber door seal for food residue, cracks, tears or flattened areas. Check for utensils or dishes keeping the door from closing. Front-door leaks can also involve excess suds or misdirected spray, so the detergent and loading checks below belong to this branch too.
Try cleaning the seal, then inspect whether it makes full contact with the dishwasher. Visible damage or poor contact is useful information for service. Water under the front center can involve the pump seal, sump or overfilling, while water behind or under the cabinet can involve connections, the inlet valve or drain line.
The panel is dark or the cycle won't start
Check that a plug-connected dishwasher is plugged in and receiving power. For a hardwired unit, check whether its circuit breaker has tripped; resetting a tripped breaker may restore operation. Maytag's startup checks (opens in a new tab) begin with these power and operating conditions.
Close and latch the door securely. Many models prevent operation when it isn't properly shut, and a lower rack installed backward can keep the door from latching. If it's in standby or sleep mode, press Start or Resume and wait for it to restart, or open and close the door again.
Look for an illuminated lock icon. Control Lock prevents unintended use by disabling the buttons, and its light can flash three times when you press a button while locked. Use your model's owner's manual to disable it, since the unlocking instruction belongs to that control panel.
Check whether Delay Start is selected. That setting holds the cycle until the chosen delay has elapsed, so a waiting machine can be behaving as selected. Press CANCEL/DRAIN to cancel the delayed start.
Lights blink or the controls stay unresponsive
Identify which light is blinking. For the front status light described in Maytag's status-light guidance (opens in a new tab), blinking means the cycle has paused. A flashing START/RESUME indicator typically points to an open or unlatched door; close it and press START/RESUME to continue.
For a control that remains unresponsive, Maytag gives two reset intervals. Its startup guidance says about one minute without power, and its general troubleshooting advice says a full minute. The front-status-light guidance specifies 30 seconds.
We'd use the one-minute startup procedure for a general unresponsive-control complaint because that's the symptom it addresses. Press Cancel to halt the current cycle and clear settings, then disconnect power for a full minute. Unplug a plug-connected unit, or turn off the breaker powering a hardwired dishwasher, then reconnect the plug or restore that breaker to reinitialize the control.
If you're following the front-status-light procedure specifically, unplug a plug-connected dishwasher for 30 seconds and plug it back in. For a hardwired unit, turn off the breaker that powers the dishwasher for 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Use the model-based resources for any displayed code or light pattern that needs further troubleshooting.
It turns on but the tub stays dry
With door closure already checked, move to water availability. A closed supply valve or an obstructed overfill float can prevent filling; a clogged or malfunctioning inlet valve is another possible cause. If the door itself won't latch after obstructions are cleared, contact an appliance technician for latch repair.
Consult your user manual to confirm this supply check applies, then locate the dishwasher's water supply under the sink and open the valve as needed. Maytag's filling checks (opens in a new tab) require that applicability check. If the kitchen faucet also has a weak stream, reduced pressure can indicate a supply blockage that needs a professional.
Find the float, typically in the tub's front right corner, and move it up and down to check that it moves freely. If food or other particles obstruct it, gently clean around it with a clean, dry towel until the obstruction is removed. The float protects against overfilling and must be correctly positioned and functioning for the dishwasher to fill.
With no unresolved leak, check the result by starting a cycle and opening the door midway through it to see whether the tub is wet or beginning to fill. That gives you an observable result from the supply and float checks.
Water remains around the filter
A small amount of standing water in the filter area is normal on a dishwasher with a filter. More than an inch accumulating there can indicate a clog. That distinction helps you decide whether there's a drainage problem to work on.
Look near the bottom of the tub for a filter, typically under a cage or grille. Filtration systems and hard-food disposers differ, so check your model's use-and-care instructions before removal. Maytag's filter-cleaning guidance (opens in a new tab) describes the following qualified sequence.
- Remove the filter as your model's guide directs. Many come out by hand with a quarter turn counterclockwise and a pull, while others require a screwdriver. Finish with the applicable filter removed.
- Rinse the filter under the faucet. If food stays attached, soak it in warm water for a few minutes. Don't use a wire brush or scouring pad, because either can damage the filter; check that the debris has rinsed away.
- Refit the filter using the model's instructions. For the turn-in design described by Maytag, turn it clockwise until it clicks into place or its arrows align.
- Provided there's no unresolved leak, run the dishwasher as you normally would and check whether it drains. Successful drainage is the result you're looking for.
The cycle runs but dishes come out dirty
Rearrange the load so the spray arms aren't blocked, the racks aren't overfilled and nothing protrudes into the door seal. Poor loading can interfere with washing, drainage and door sealing. Keep aluminum utensils from rubbing against dishes or glassware, since that contact can leave marks and scratches.
Use detergent specified for automatic dishwashers only. Never substitute regular dish soap: it makes excessive suds that can overflow the tub, leak onto the floor and erode the dishwasher's interior.
Start with one tablespoon of detergent or one tablet or pack, following Maytag's detergent guidance (opens in a new tab). If dishes still come out dirty, check the detergent's instructions before increasing the amount or changing brands. Too much detergent can leave residue on dishes and glasses.
Use rinse aid alongside detergent to help prevent water spots or film and reduce white or cloudy residue. If the problem is streaking on glassware, minerals from hard water can be involved; a detergent formulated to combat water hardness may help. For etching, Maytag suggests changing detergent, skipping prewashing or trying a shorter cycle.
When to bring in an appliance technician
If the dishwasher fills but stops before reaching the wash cycle, contact an appliance technician. Possible internal causes include a shorted thermal fuse or an electronic control-board problem. Maytag's guidance for this symptom (opens in a new tab) puts correction of those faults with a professional.
Arrange service for persistent leaks, persistent overfilling or suspected inlet-valve, cracked-tub or pump/diverter-seal trouble. For a leak appointment, have the model and serial number from the tub frame ready and contact Maytag support or an authorized service provider.
If your matching branch hasn't resolved the trouble, or you're unsure about continuing, call Maytag's US customer service at 1-800-344-1274 to arrange service. The number and handoff are provided in Maytag's dishwasher troubleshooting support (opens in a new tab).
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