Maytag Dishwasher: not closing

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Maytag dishwasher refusing to close properly? This common issue may prevent your appliance from sealing and starting a wash cycle. Symptoms include door sagging, not fully engaging the latch, or being obstructed by dishes. Understanding the causes can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Maytag support specifically notes checking door spring tension, level of dishwasher, items between seal and tub, and damaged door latch. turn(Product Help | Maytag

Possible Causes

Obstruction preventing door closure

How to Identify: Items protruding from racks or silverware baskets blocking the door path; visible obstruction when door won’t sit flush.

Part: Dishrack items/utensils

Door latch or strike misalignment/damage

How to Identify: Door won’t latch; latch feels loose or damaged; misaligned strike not catching when door closes.

Part: Door latch assembly & strike plate

Damaged or worn door seal (gasket)

How to Identify: Seal appears cracked, loose, misaligned or stuck in track; door has trouble seating evenly.

Part: Door gasket

Door springs, cables, or hinges worn or broken

How to Identify: Door feels too heavy or drops quickly when opened; visible broken spring/cable; hinge bent.

Part: Door springs/cables/hinges

Dishwasher not level leading to misalignment

How to Identify: Dishwasher tilts forward/back; door scrapes against cabinet; uneven fit.

Part: Leveling legs/frame position

DIY Solutions

Remove Obstructions and Adjust Loading

Easy 5-10 minutes
  1. Open door and inspect interior for items sticking out.
  2. Reposition or remove dishes/utensils blocking full closure.
  3. Ensure racks are fully pushed in before closing door.
⚠️ Safety First: Be careful not to overload racks which may block door path.

Clean and Realign Door Gasket

Moderate 10-20 minutes
Tools Needed: Clean cloth, Mild detergent
  1. Open door and visually inspect gasket around perimeter.
  2. Clean any debris or food buildup on gasket and track.
  3. Press gasket fully into its track ensuring it is evenly seated.
  4. Close door to test seal.

Check and Adjust Leveling Legs

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: Wrench, Level tool
  1. Place level across top of dishwasher to check for tilt.
  2. Adjust front leveling legs using wrench until dishwasher sits level.
  3. Recheck door closure after leveling.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure dishwasher stays stable after adjustments.

Professional Repairs

Replace Door Latch Assembly

Estimated Cost: $30 - $100

Replace Door Springs/Cables or Hinges

Estimated Cost: $20 - $75 per component

Replace Door Gasket

Estimated Cost: $15 - $50

When to Call a Professional

Door remains misaligned or won’t latch after basic troubleshooting
Visible hardware damage (broken hinge, spring, cable)
Latch assembly is cracked or won’t engage

Preventive Maintenance

  • Check and clean door seal regularly: Door not closing due to debris buildup
    Frequency: monthly
  • Ensure dishes are loaded without protruding items: Obstructions blocking door closure
    Frequency: Each use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Dishwasher not closing?
Common causes include obstructions, misaligned door latch, or a damaged gasket.
How do I fix Maytag Dishwasher not closing myself?
Check for obstructions, clean the door gasket, and adjust the leveling legs.
How much does it cost to fix not closing?
Professional repairs range from $15 to $100 depending on the part needed.
When should I call a technician for not closing?
If DIY fixes don’t work or if you suspect serious component damage.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

80%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Misaligned door latch
  • Damaged or worn door gasket
  • Obstruction in the door path

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check and adjust the door latch alignment. Open the door and inspect the latch to ensure it aligns with the strike plate. Adjust as necessary to ensure a snug fit.

  2. Inspect the door gasket for damage. If the gasket is cracked or worn, replace it with a new one to ensure a proper seal.

  3. Check for any obstructions in the door path, such as dishes or utensils that may be preventing the door from closing fully. Remove any items blocking the door.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Should my Maytag dishwasher be locking during use?

Community Discussions

door stopped closing completely

Adjust the strike to ensure proper latch engagement.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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