Maytag Dishwasher: odor during drying cycle

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Are you experiencing unpleasant odors, like musty or burnt smells, during the drying cycle of your Maytag dishwasher? This issue often arises due to food residue, mold growth, or ventilation problems. Understanding the causes can help you tackle the odor effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

  • Maytag recommends using affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner monthly to clean areas like pump, valves, and hoses to remove odors

Possible Causes

Food residue and bacteria buildup in filter and drain

How to Identify: Foul, sour or rotten smell during drying; visible debris on filter; standing water at bottom.

Part: Dishwasher filter / drain area

Mold and mildew growth due to trapped moisture

How to Identify: Musty or earthy odor during drying; black/green spots, film on interior surfaces.

Part: Interior tub, door gasket, spray arms

Clogged or restricted vent in drying system

How to Identify: Odor specifically pronounced during drying; less noticeable during wash cycles.

Part: Dishwasher vent/air vent hose

Drain hose/plumbing backflow causing sewer gas odor

How to Identify: Smell resembling sewage or rotten eggs; occurs near end or after cycle; possible sink drain issues.

Part: Drain hose, plumbing connection, high loop/air gap

Detergent or residue buildup on heating element

How to Identify: Chemical or burnt-like odor during drying; may coincide with smoke or unusual smell.

Part: Heating element

DIY Solutions

Clean dishwasher filter and drain

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: gloves, soft brush, hot water
  1. Turn off dishwasher and open lower rack
  2. Remove and inspect the filter assembly
  3. Rinse filter under hot water and brush off debris
  4. Check drain opening for debris and wipe clean
  5. Reinstall filter and run a hot rinse cycle
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before handling parts

Deep clean interior to remove mold/mildew

Moderate 30-45 minutes
Tools Needed: white vinegar, baking soda, cloth, sponge
  1. Place one cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on top rack
  2. Run the hottest cycle available
  3. After completion, sprinkle baking soda on bottom and run a short hot cycle
  4. Wipe down door gasket, spray arms and interior surfaces with a damp cloth

Inspect and clean dishwasher vent

Advanced 30-60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, plumber’s snake (optional)
  1. Locate the vent (refer to manual)
  2. Disconnect power
  3. Remove cover and inspect vent path
  4. Clear any visible debris or grease
  5. Reassemble and test
⚠️ Safety First: Risk of damaging vent components if done incorrectly

Next step

Choose the next step for odor during drying cycle

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

Dishwasher Filter

Screens food debris from recirculating wash water and protects the pump system.

Typical part-only price
$15 - $65
DIY difficulty
Easy
Estimated time
5-15 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.

Other parts options

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

Possible related component

Door Gasket

Creates a watertight seal around the door to prevent leaks during operation.

$45 - $110 · Medium · 30-60 mins

Check fit & price
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
Possible related component

Heating Element

Heats the water or air inside the appliance to the required temperature.

$40 - $95 · Medium · 30-45 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

Inspect and repair drain hose plumbing (high loop/air gap)

Estimated Cost: $100 - $250

Replace defective heating or vent components

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

When to Call a Professional

Odor persists after thorough cleaning of filter and interior
Smell resembles sewage indicating possible plumbing backflow
Burnt or electrical smell during drying cycle

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean filter: Food buildup and associated odor
    Frequency: monthly
  • Run hot vinegar/baking soda cleaning cycle: Mold, mildew, and residue buildup
    Frequency: monthly
  • Leave door slightly open after cycles: Trapped moisture and mold growth
    Frequency: After each use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Dishwasher odor during drying cycle?
Common causes include food residue in the filter, mold growth, or a clogged vent.
How do I fix Maytag Dishwasher odor during drying cycle myself?
You can clean the filter, deep clean with vinegar, and inspect the vent for blockages.
How much does it cost to fix odor during drying cycle?
Professional repairs can range from $100 to $400, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for odor during drying cycle?
Consider calling a technician if DIY fixes fail or if plumbing issues are suspected.

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

  • Food debris trapped in the filter or spray arms
  • Clogged air gap or drain hose
  • Faulty or malfunctioning air vent (AAV)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Clean the filter and spray arms. Remove the filter and rinse it under hot water to remove any debris. Check the spray arms for blockages and clear them if necessary.

  2. Inspect and clean the air gap and drain hose. Ensure that there are no clogs in the air gap and that the drain hose is properly positioned and free of obstructions.

  3. Replace the air vent (AAV) if it is found to be faulty. Disconnect the dishwasher from power, remove the old AAV, and install a new one according to the manufacturer's instructions.

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. Dishwasher smell ... should be easy to fix, but ... what's m...

Community Discussions

musty smell during drying cycle

Fixed the issue by replacing the AAV.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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