Maytag Dishwasher: not cleaning

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Maytag dishwasher is running complete cycles but leaving dishes with food residue, cloudy films, or unclean surfaces, you're not alone. This common issue often arises from clogged filters, blocked spray arms, or incorrect loading techniques. Addressing these problems can restore your dishwasher's cleaning power and ensure your dishes come out sparkling clean.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Detergent dispenser clogs and improper detergent placement can prevent proper detergent release
  • Maytag recommends proper loading and regular deep cleaning to avoid decreased cleaning performance

Possible Causes

Clogged or dirty filters

How to Identify: Food particles visible in filter, water pooling at bottom, poor water circulation

Part: Dishwasher filter

Spray arms clogged or blocked

How to Identify: Spray arm holes blocked by debris; arms not spinning freely

Part: Upper and lower spray arms

Improper loading or spray arm obstruction

How to Identify: Large items block spray arms; overcrowded racks

Part: Dish load configuration relative to spray arms

Wrong detergent or improper detergent use

How to Identify: Detergent clumped in dispenser; suds residue on dishes

Part: Detergent dispenser/detergent chemistry

Low incoming water temperature/pressure

How to Identify: Cold or low-pressure water supply; dishes not rinsed well

Part: Water inlet system

Faulty water inlet valve

How to Identify: Dishwasher not filling sufficiently with water

Part: Water inlet valve

Failed circulation pump/impeller

How to Identify: No water spray during cycle; humming without spraying

Part: Circulation pump or impeller

Malfunctioning heating element

How to Identify: Water not hot during cycle; greasy residue stays

Part: Heating element

DIY Solutions

Clean filters and spray arms

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: Soft brush, Toothpick or small wire, Warm water
  1. Turn off dishwasher and remove lower rack
  2. Remove and rinse filter to clear debris
  3. Remove spray arms and clear blockages with toothpick/wire
  4. Rinse spray arms and reinstall ensuring free rotation
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before disassembling internal parts

Check and improve loading technique

Easy 5-10 minutes
  1. Ensure dishes aren’t overcrowded
  2. Reposition large items to avoid blocking spray arms
  3. Place silverware separated rather than nested

Use proper detergent and rinse aid

Easy 2 minutes
  1. Use quality automatic dishwasher detergent
  2. Fill rinse aid dispenser
  3. Check for detergent clumps in dispenser and clean if needed

Verify hot water supply

Easy 5 minutes
Tools Needed: T, h, e, r, m, o, m, e, t, e, r, , (, o, p, t, i, o, n, a, l, )
  1. Run hot water at sink until hot before starting dishwasher
  2. Check water temperature reaches approx. 120°F

Professional Repairs

Replace water inlet valve

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Replace circulation pump or impeller

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

Replace heating element

Estimated Cost: $50 - $200

When to Call a Professional

Dishwasher fails to fill with water
Unusual noises or humming without water circulation
Electrical control issues or persistent issues after DIY cleaning

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean filter and spray arms: Clogs and reduced water spray distribution
    Frequency: monthly
  • Deep clean interior with dishwasher cleaner: Mineral deposits and residue buildup affecting performance
    Frequency: monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Dishwasher not cleaning?
Common causes include clogged filters, blocked spray arms, improper loading, and using the wrong detergent.
How do I fix Maytag Dishwasher not cleaning myself?
You can clean filters and spray arms, improve loading techniques, use the right detergent, and verify hot water supply.
How much does it cost to fix not cleaning?
Professional repairs range from $50 to $300 depending on whether you need to replace the water inlet valve, circulation pump, or heating element.
When should I call a technician for not cleaning?
If DIY solutions don’t resolve the issue or if you suspect a faulty water inlet valve or circulation pump, it's time to call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Debris in pump or food disposal (2 mentions)
  • Malfunctioning spray arms (2 mentions)
  • Hard water affecting cleaning (1 mentions)
  • Insufficient water fill (1 mentions)
  • Malfunctioning wash/recirculation motor (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check and clean spray arms and pump components

    Success rate: 75.0%

  2. Manual cleaning of the dishwasher trap due to hard water

    Success rate: 25.0%

  3. Consider pump motor or soil chopper replacement

    Success rate: 25.0%

  4. Check for insufficient water fill

    Success rate: 25.0%
Analysis based on 4 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Maytag MDB7749SAMO dishwasher not cleaning to rack
  2. Maytag dishwasher not cleaning dishes.
  3. Unusual Maytag dishwasher problem
  4. Maytag Dishwasher not Washing?

Community Discussions

unable to clean dishwasher trap

The dishwasher has a self-cleaning filter but may require manual cleaning due to hard water.

DIY View on Reddit →

not cleaning to rack

After complete disassembly and reassembly, the washer did a load correctly, indicating a possible debris issue in the pump or food disposal.

DIY View on Reddit →

not cleaning dishes, making noise

Check spray arms and consider pump motor replacement or soil chopper issues.

DIY View on Reddit →

Dishwasher not washing properly

Possible issues include insufficient water fill or malfunctioning wash/recirculation motor.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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