Maytag Dishwasher: grinding noise, not draining

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Are you experiencing a grinding noise and drainage issues with your Maytag dishwasher? This common problem may indicate foreign objects obstructing the filter or a clogged drain hose. Left untreated, standing water can accumulate, compromising your dishwasher's performance and hygiene.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Maytag dishwashers with built-in stainless steel food chopper can produce grinding noise when blocked; this is specific to Maytag engineering.

Possible Causes

Foreign objects or food debris in filter/sump/pump

How to Identify: Grinding noise occurs during drain or wash; visible debris when inspecting bottom filter and sump area; water remains after cycle.

Part: Filter / sump / drain pump inlet

Clogged drain hose or air gap

How to Identify: Dishwasher fills and runs but doesn’t drain; standing water; hose/kink seen; air gap clogged externally.

Part: Drain hose / air gap

Damaged or worn drain pump or impeller

How to Identify: Persistent grinding even after clearing debris; drainage still fails; pump makes noise when running.

Part: Drain pump / impeller

Food chopper blade issues (Maytag-specific)

How to Identify: Grinding sound during wash cycle; Maytag units with chopper blade feature abnormal noise; debris lodged in chopper.

Part: Food chopper blade assembly

Incorrect hose installation or kinks

How to Identify: Dishwasher not draining and hose has improper heights or bends visible.

Part: Drain hose

DIY Solutions

Clean filter, sump, and remove debris

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: gloves, flashlight, screwdriver (if needed)
  1. Turn off power and water supply.
  2. Remove lower rack, access filter and sump area.
  3. Inspect and remove foreign objects or food debris, clear sump and filter.
  4. Reassemble and test dishwasher cycle.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before reaching into pump areas.

Clear drain hose and air gap blockage

Moderate 20-40 minutes
Tools Needed: bucket, long flexible brush, pliers
  1. Turn off dishwasher’s power and disconnect drain hose.
  2. Inspect hose for kinks or blockages, flush with warm water or use flexible brush.
  3. Check and clean air gap on sink if present.
  4. Reattach hose, secure mounts, and test drain.
  5. Run a short cycle to confirm resolution.
⚠️ Safety First: Be careful disconnecting hose to avoid spills.

Next step

Choose the next step for grinding noise, not draining

Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.

Check during diagnosis

Most relevant component to inspect

Drain Pump

Pumps waste water out of the appliance during the drain cycle.

Typical part-only price
$35 - $80
DIY difficulty
Easy
Estimated time
15-30 mins
Where can I find the model number?

Check the rating label around the door, lid, frame, rear panel, or inside the appliance cabinet. Use the complete model number, including suffixes.

Find a part that fits my model

Verify the complete model and part number on the retailer's compatibility page before ordering.

Also check
RepairClinic

Other parts options

Check related components first; use model search as a fallback.

Possible related component

Drain Hose

Carries waste water from the drain pump to your home's standpipe or sink drain.

$15 - $30 · Easy · 15-30 mins

Check fit & price
Model number required

Model-compatible Dishwasher parts

Enter the complete model number to browse compatible replacement parts. This is a model-based parts search, not a diagnosis that a specific component failed.

Find a part that fits my model

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from other qualifying purchases or service requests made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are based on repair relevance, not commission rate.

Optional routine care

Maintenance supplies

These products support cleaning or routine upkeep. They are separate from the possible repair components above and are not claimed to fix this error code or symptom.

Maintenance supply

Dishwasher Cleaner and Descaler

Supports routine removal of mineral scale, grease, and odor. It is maintenance, not a repair for a failed pump, valve, or control.

View maintenance supply
Maintenance supply

Braided Dishwasher Inlet Hose

For replacement of an externally damaged supply hose. Verify connection size, length, and appliance installation requirements before ordering.

View maintenance supply

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are based on routine-care relevance, not commission rate.

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump or impeller assembly

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

Inspect and service food chopper blade assembly

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

When to Call a Professional

Dishwasher continues making grinding noise after debris removal and hose clearing
Water still won’t drain after DIY clearing
Drain pump or motor components suspected faulty

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean filter and check sump area: Foreign object buildup and associated grinding noise or drainage issues
    Frequency: monthly
  • Inspect drain hose and air gap: Clogs that cause standing water and drainage failures
    Frequency: every 6 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Dishwasher grinding noise, not draining?
Common causes include foreign objects in the filter, clogged drain hose, or worn pump parts.
How do I fix Maytag Dishwasher grinding noise, not draining myself?
Clean the filter and sump, and check for clogs in the drain hose to resolve the issue.
How much does it cost to fix grinding noise, not draining?
Professional repair costs range from $100 to $300, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for grinding noise, not draining?
Call a technician if DIY solutions fail or if the problem persists after cleaning.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Guidance from available sources; statistical claims are shown only for samples of at least 10 discussions

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Clogged drain filter or drain line
  • Faulty drain pump or impeller
  • Foreign objects obstructing the spray arm

User Suggested Solutions

  1. 1. Turn off the dishwasher and unplug it. 2. Remove the lower dish rack. 3. Take out the drain filter and clean it under running water. 4. Inspect the drain line for clogs and clear any debris. 5. Reassemble and test the dishwasher.

  2. 1. Unplug the dishwasher. 2. Access the drain pump by removing the lower spray arm and cover. 3. Inspect the drain pump and impeller for damage or blockages. 4. Replace the drain pump if necessary. 5. Reassemble and test the dishwasher.

  3. 1. Check the spray arm for any foreign objects. 2. Remove the spray arm and clean it thoroughly. 3. Reinstall the spray arm and check for proper movement. 4. Test the dishwasher to ensure noise is gone and it drains properly.

Limited-source guidance; percentages and success-rate claims are not shown
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Maytag Dishwash - Grinding, Weird Noise, Sitting Water

Community Discussions

Grinding noise, sitting water, loud buzz

Check and clear the drain line and drain pump impeller for debris.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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