‘Frustrating’ is the word that best describes a Maytag Centennial washer that won’t start. It means you cannot do your laundry unless you fix it. But why is your Maytag Centennial Washer Not Starting?
Your Maytag Centennial washer won’t start because of power failure, stuck start button, wrong setting, locked controls, unlocked lid, or failed water supply. But still, it could be due to a failed component such as the lid switch, control panel, wiring harness, main control board, timer, or motor.
Generally, there are different angles in troubleshooting a Maytag Centennial washing machine that won’t power on, and I’ll help you troubleshoot them.
We will look at the reasons and their respective DIY fixes. Moreover, we’ll look at quick steps for resetting /reprogramming your Maytag Centennial, just in case you cannot fix them.
Let’s get started:
Maytag Centennial Washer Not Starting- Quick Troubleshooting Guide!
Check out below a summary of the reasons your Maytag Centennial won’t start:
| Probable Cause | Fix | |
| 1. | Incoming Power Failure | Check the power supply, power cord, switch, wall socket, and fuse |
| 2. | Stuck Start Button | Dislodge foreign objects obstructing the start button |
| 3. | Wrong Setting | Deactivate ‘delay start’ and clear the error code |
| 4. | Lockable Controls | Deactivate the ‘control lock’ function on the control panel |
| 5. | Unlocked Lid | Remove the obstruction and fix wiring defects |
| 6. | Failed Water Supply | Unclog/unwind the water hose and adjust the water pressure to 30PSI |
| 7. | Component Failure (lid switch, control panel, wrong harness, control board, timer, or motor) | Replace the faulty washer component |
Why Your Maytag Centennial Washer Won’t Start
Below are seven possible reasons why your Maytag Centennial washer won’t start and how to troubleshoot them.
1. Incoming Power Failure
Just because your Maytag Centennial washer won’t start doesn’t always mean something is wrong with the machine. Remember, your washer depends on electricity, and so, if the current doesn’t flow to it, it won’t start.
Here are the things to check:
- Power supply
Do you have power? Your Maytag Centennial washer won’t power on if there is no power supply. So, check that!
- Power cord plugging
Have you plugged in the power cord correctly? If not, you should do it. You cannot expect the washer to power on if the power cord is not plugged in correctly.
- Power switch
It’s possible to plug in the power cord and forget to switch it on. So, ensure you switch on the power supply to your washer.
- Wall socket
Yes, the power could be there, and you might have plugged in the power cord correctly, but if the wall socket is faulty, you need to replace it.
Using a multimeter, you can tell if your wall socket is okay. If it shows no continuity on the multimeter, it’s defective, and as a result, you should replace it.
- Circuit breaker/fuse
Your washer power supply has a circuit breaker or fuse that protects it during an electrical fault. If this self-sacrificial feature is faulty, your washer won’t power on.
Sometimes the circuit breaker only tips over, and you only need to reset it. However, if the fuse is blown, you should replace it.
2. Stuck Start Button
If the start button is stuck, you cannot expect your Maytag Centennial washer to power on. It sometimes, however, happens, especially when a foreign object such as dust or small stone gets trapped there.
Fix
Look at the start button to see if it’s working. If you cannot press it, it could be stuck. In such a case, you should identify any foreign object obstructing it and dislodge it. You can gently tap around the start button to dislodge the object.
3. Wrong Setting
Is your Maytag Centennial washer not starting cycle? If that’s the case, you should check the settings. Sometimes it takes a simple mistake like not selecting the right setting for your washer to fail to turn or start a new cycle.
For example, your washer won’t turn on if you’ve activated the ‘delay start function.
Also, if your Maytag Centennial displays a particular error code, it may fail to start a new cycle until you clear it.
Fix
Ensure you pick the right setting for your Centennial washer. And if the ‘Delay-Start’ function is on, you should turn it off from the main menu.
What’s more, check and clear any error code if your Maytag washer won’t start the cycle.
4. Locked Controls
The ‘Control Lock’ feature is a safety feature that locks all control panel functions, including the start function. Generally, your Maytag Centennial washer won’t turn on if this feature is on.
Fix
Check to see if the ‘Control Lock’ display light is on. If it is, you should turn it off to unlock the controls and enable the washer to start.
Press the ‘Control Lock’ switch and hold it for 3 seconds to unlock the control panel.
5. Unlocked Lid
The washer’s lid should be closed appropriately before starting the machine. So, if something is preventing the lid from locking, the washer may not start running until you fix it.
Sometimes, the lid won’t lock because of a wiring issue. If a wire blows up or loosens, the lid won’t close. More often, the problem is an obstruction such as trapped cloth.
Fix
If the lid is not shutting correctly, look for an obstruction or wiring defect. In the case of the former, you should remove the obstruction.
But if it’s the latter, you should try fixing the wiring. If that doesn’t work, replace the washer’s lid lock assembly.
6. Failed Water Supply
Your Centennial washer won’t start running if there is no water supply. The machine has to fill with water, but if that’s not the case, then you should check for the following:
- Obstructed/kinked water hose – Check the water hoses for any obstructions or kinks. In the former case, remove the block, and in the latter case, straighten the hose to eliminate the kinks.
- Leaky hose – if the hose is broken, water will leak and may not fill the washer.
- Low water pressure – Check your water pressure with a pressure gauge to ensure it’s not below 30psi. If it is, then you should adjust it at the main valve. It may also help to unclog the hose.
More on Maytag Washer Troubleshooting Will Not Start
7. Component Failure
Lastly, there are several components of the Maytag Centennial washer that you should check for fault. If any of these components fail, your washer won’t power on. I’m talking about the following five:
a) Lid Switch
Your washer’s lid won’t close if the lid switch is faulty. You can tell that your lid lock is faulty by listening to it click when you press it after powering the washer. If there is no clicking, the lid switch is defective.
Fix
The only fix to a defective lid switch is a replacement. Remember, you can also test the button for faults using a multimeter.
b) Control Panel
Your washer’s user interface, popularly known as the control panel, controls all of the washer’s settings, including the power button.
As a result, if this part is faulty, the washer won’t turn on. In most cases, the control panel fails when it corrodes from steam exposure or natural wear.
Fix
If the control panel contact points are rusty, use rubbing alcohol. However, replace the control panel if it’s worn.
c) Control Panel’s Wiring Harness
The control panel has a wiring harness that connects it to the control board. This harness is pivotal in relaying information between the control board and the control panel.
So, if it’s damaged, twisted, or pinched, it won’t do its job, and the washer won’t turn on.
Fix
Check the wire harness for damage, pinching, or twisting, and replace it if that’s the case.
d) Main Control Board
The washer’s main control board controls every electronic and electrical part. It’s fundamentally its brain which means that if it fails, the entire machine fails.
Fix
Check for signs of rusting or wear on the main control board. If present, replace the control board.
e) Timer Knob
Also, examine the timer knob for fault. If the timer knob is faulty, the washer won’t start. So, you’ve to check for any signs of breakage.
Fix
If your timer knob shows any signs of damage, replace it. However, take it to a washer technician if you cannot fix it.
f) Motor
Lastly, check the motor for malfunction. If the motor is defective, your Maytag washer will fail to spin, but it may also fail to start.
Fix
If the motor only makes a buzzing sound when you power the washer, but nothing else happens, it is defective. Therefore, you’ll need to replace it.
How to Reprogram Maytag Centennial Washer?
Here are quick ways to reprogram or reset your Maytag washer:
- Unplug your Centennial washer and wait for 3 minutes before plugging it back and restarting it
- Press power off, then cancel and change your wash cycle before pressing the start/stop
- Unplug the washer for one minute. Plug it back and quickly lift and drop the lid. (Do it six times under 30 seconds)
People Also Ask
1. Why Does My Maytag Washer Not Start?
Your Maytag washer will not start because there’s an issue with the power or water supply, a stuck start button, wrong setting, locked controls, unlocked lid, or a malfunctioning component. These components include the lid switch, control panel, motor, and timer.
2. Does A Maytag Centennial Washer Have a Reset Button?
Unfortunately, the Maytag Centennial washer doesn’t have the reset button. However, you can reset it using different means such as:
- Unplugging it and then plugging it back after 3 minutes
- Press the power button, choose a new cycle, and then press a start/pause
3. Why Is My Maytag Centennial Washer Stuck On Sensing?
If your Maytag Centennial washer is stuck on sensing, one of its major components might be faulty. I’m talking of the water valve, water sensor, lid lock, timer, motor, or shift actuator. Once you find the defective component, replace it.
Closing Thought On a Maytag Centennial Washer Not Starting!
Generally, if your Maytag Centennial washer is not starting, something must be wrong. While the biggest fear is a component failure, start by checking the power and water supply and washer setting to ensure they are all well.
After that, inspect the start button, lid lock, and controls before assessing the lid switch, control panel, wiring harness, control board, timer, and motor for fault.
Also Read: