Maytag Dishwasher: not spinning

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Maytag dishwasher not spinning? This common issue results in ineffective cleaning due to the spray arms failing to rotate. It may occur during a wash cycle or after starting. Causes include clogged spray arms, blocked filters, or faulty components. Understanding the problem can help you restore your dishwasher's performance quickly.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Some models may not spin lower spray arm when certain cycles (e.g., "Top Rack Only") are selected
  • Control board and user interface failures are reported as causes of no spin more commonly in Maytag models than simple clogging

Possible Causes

Spray arms clogged with debris or food particles

How to Identify: Spray arms do not rotate freely when moved by hand; visible food debris in spray holes; dishes remain dirty

Part: Spray arm assembly

Filter or internal circulation path clogged

How to Identify: Water flow seems weak, debris visible in filter area, dishes still dirty after cycle

Part: Filter and internal water circulation pathways

Faulty circulation pump or motor assembly

How to Identify: Hearing unusual noises (buzzing/grinding or no water movement despite clear spray arms

Part: Pump and motor assembly

Faulty electronic control or user interface control

How to Identify: Dishwasher fails to execute cycle commands, errors or unresponsive controls

Part: Electronic control board or user interface panel

DIY Solutions

Clean spray arms and filter

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver (if needed), toothpick or small brush, warm water
  1. Turn off power and open dishwasher
  2. Remove lower and upper spray arms as per manual
  3. Use toothpick or brush to clear debris from spray arm holes
  4. Remove and rinse filter at bottom of dishwasher
  5. Reassemble parts and test with a short cycle
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before servicing

Re‑load dishes to avoid obstruction

Easy 5 minutes
  1. Open dishwasher and remove obstructions
  2. Place larger items away from spray arms
  3. Ensure adequate clearance around rotating arms
  4. Start a cycle and observe if arms spin

Professional Repairs

Replace circulation pump/motor assembly

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

Replace electronic control board or user interface

Estimated Cost: $200 - $500

When to Call a Professional

Unusual grinding or buzzing noises from motor/pump
No water circulation after cleaning spray arms and filters
Dishwasher control panel is unresponsive or shows errors indicating control faults

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean spray arms and filter regularly: Debris build‑up that stops spray arms from spinning
    Frequency: Monthly
  • Load dishes properly: Obstructions that block spray arm rotation
    Frequency: Every use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Dishwasher not spinning?
Common causes include clogged spray arms, blocked filters, or faulty circulation pumps.
How do I fix Maytag Dishwasher not spinning myself?
Try cleaning the spray arms and filter or re-load dishes to avoid obstructions.
How much does it cost to fix not spinning?
Professional repairs range from $150 to $500 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not spinning?
If DIY solutions don't work or the problem seems complex, contact a technician.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

57%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Clogged or obstructed spray arms (4 mentions)
  • Calcium buildup (2 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check and clean the spray arms for debris and buildup

    Success rate: 50.0%

  2. Re-seat the spray arms and clean out detergent buildup

    Success rate: 12.0%
Analysis based on 7 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Dishwasher lower Arm not spinning
  2. Maytag Quiet Series 300 Dishwasher - lower arm not spinning
  3. Maytag MDB4949SKZ dishwasher F7E1 code. What exactly do I ne...
  4. Upper spray arm not spinning/working on old Maytag dishwashe...
  5. Need help figuring out how to remove spray arms on Maytag di...
  6. Help with a Maytag Dishwasher
  7. Maytag Dishwasher

Community Discussions

lower arm not spinning

Cleared a small piece of calcium buildup from the arm, which allowed it to spin.

DIY View on Reddit →

Upper spray arm not spinning/working

Check and clean the upper spray arm for debris; if clean, check the water pump.

DIY View on Reddit →

spray arms not spinning

The lower spray arm snaps into place and can be released by squeezing or twisting a plastic locking tab. The upper arm clips into the water feed tube.

DIY View on Reddit →

lower arm not spinning

Re-seating the spray arms and cleaning out detergent buildup may resolve the issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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