We’ve all been there—standing in the kitchen, eagerly waiting for the dishwasher to finish its cycle so we can get on with our day, but instead, it just keeps running. You check the cycle, and it’s still going. And going. And… yep, still going. But why on earth does your Maytag dishwasher keep running, and more importantly, how can you fix it?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. If your Maytag dishwasher is running longer than it should, there are a few common culprits behind the issue. But before you panic, let’s dive into it and explore the possible reasons for this mysterious dishwasher behavior.
Imagine this: You’ve just loaded up your dishes after a big dinner, hit start, and—poof!—it’s supposed to be done in under two hours. Yet, here you are, 4 hours later, wondering if your dishwasher is secretly running a marathon.
So, let’s break this down and find out what’s really going on!
A Few Things You Should Know
First, let’s talk about why dishwashers have cycles that sometimes feel like they take forever. It all comes down to the fact that modern dishwashers are designed to be energy-efficient, which means they’re built to run longer but use less water and electricity. Sounds good, right? But when they don’t shut off as expected, it can definitely be a little annoying.
Now, let’s consider some reasons your Maytag dishwasher could keep running:
- Cycle Type or Settings: It’s possible that your dishwasher is simply set to a longer cycle like a heavy wash or sanitize cycle. These settings are designed for particularly stubborn messes or extra hygiene, but they can take much longer to complete. So, take a look at your cycle settings—are you in the “Heavy Wash” zone?
- Dirty or Blocked Drain: Another sneaky reason why your dishwasher might be running longer than usual is a blocked drain. If there’s a clog or debris preventing the water from draining properly, the dishwasher could keep running in an attempt to complete the cycle. A slow drain is often a sign that something’s wrong under the hood.
- Faulty Door Latch or Seal: A malfunctioning door latch or seal can also cause your dishwasher to run longer than necessary. If the dishwasher senses that the door isn’t sealing properly, it might keep running, thinking it hasn’t completed its job.
- Malfunctioning Timer or Control Board: Like any appliance, the timer or control board in your dishwasher can fail. If these components aren’t sending the right signals, the cycle could extend much longer than expected. The fix might be a bit trickier here, but it’s worth considering if other options don’t seem to solve the problem.
Troubleshooting Your Maytag Dishwasher
So, how do you go about fixing this? Well, lucky for you, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to get your Maytag dishwasher back on track. Let’s tackle each one:
- Check the Cycle Setting:
- Make sure the cycle you’ve chosen isn’t one of those extended cycles like the “Heavy Wash” or “Sanitize” settings. If it is, no worries—just select a regular cycle and let it do its thing.
- Make sure the cycle you’ve chosen isn’t one of those extended cycles like the “Heavy Wash” or “Sanitize” settings. If it is, no worries—just select a regular cycle and let it do its thing.
- Inspect the Drain and Filter:
- Open up the dishwasher and check the drain and filter for any blockages. If you find any food particles or debris, carefully clean them out. A clogged filter could easily cause drainage issues, leading to your dishwasher running forever.
- Open up the dishwasher and check the drain and filter for any blockages. If you find any food particles or debris, carefully clean them out. A clogged filter could easily cause drainage issues, leading to your dishwasher running forever.
- Check the Door Seal:
- Close the door, but don’t just assume it’s sealed tight. If the door latch or the seal around the door is worn out or cracked, it could prevent the dishwasher from sealing properly. In that case, you might need to replace the latch or seal to avoid any further issues.
- Close the door, but don’t just assume it’s sealed tight. If the door latch or the seal around the door is worn out or cracked, it could prevent the dishwasher from sealing properly. In that case, you might need to replace the latch or seal to avoid any further issues.
- Reset the Dishwasher:
- Sometimes, the simplest solutions work best. Try resetting your dishwasher. You can do this by unplugging it for about 10 minutes or switching off the power from the circuit breaker. After a short break, turn it back on and see if the cycle issue persists.
- Sometimes, the simplest solutions work best. Try resetting your dishwasher. You can do this by unplugging it for about 10 minutes or switching off the power from the circuit breaker. After a short break, turn it back on and see if the cycle issue persists.
When to Call a Pro
If you’ve tried all these troubleshooting steps and your Maytag dishwasher still refuses to cooperate, it might be time to call in the professionals. Problems with the timer, control board, or motor can require a little more technical know-how.
In some cases, the repair could be as simple as replacing a faulty part, but if your dishwasher is still under warranty, be sure to reach out to Maytag for assistance.
Final thoughts
If your Maytag dishwasher keeps running, it’s definitely frustrating, but the good news is, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a long cycle, a drainage issue, or a malfunctioning component, there are several easy things you can check before calling in a repair tech. And, if all else fails, a quick reset might just be the trick to get your dishwasher back to normal.
Try thinking of it this way: your Maytag dishwasher is like a little overachiever—sometimes it just wants to make sure it does the job right. But when it runs too long, you deserve answers. So, now that you have a few tips up your sleeve, go ahead and troubleshoot away. If the issue persists, you’ve got the knowledge to tackle it head-on or call in the experts for help.