7 Reasons Maytag Centennial Washer Not Starting (Fixed!)

Is your Maytag Centennial washer not starting after plugging it in? And are you considering calling Maytag or your local washing machine expert? Don’t just yet!

Your Maytag Centennial washer won’t start because of the lack of power, a non-responsive start button, a delayed cycle, locked controls, an unlocked lid, or failed water supply or component.

And while mentioning a failed component, it could be the control panel, timer, motor, or control board. One of the components could be damaged or just worn out and thus unable to execute its job.

Ideally, the check starts with the power, but as you’ll notice, there is more to consider than just the washer’s power supply when running it. As I’ll explain, the washer could have power and still fail to start. 

Let’s dive in!

Maytag Centennial washer not starting

In a hurry? This table matches the seven earlier mentioned issues and their fixes regarding a non-starting Maytag Centennial washer.

Maytag Washer Troubleshooting Will Not Start – Quick Guide

Likely CauseFix
1.Lack of PowerCheck your washer’s incoming power supply
2.Non-Responsive Start ButtonPress the start button long enough (at least 3 seconds), clean it if it’s stuck, and replace it if it’s broken
3.Delayed CyclePower off the washer to turn off the Delay Wash setting
4.Locked ControlsDisable Control Lock (hold it down for a few seconds)
5.Unlocked LidClean off dirt obstruction and replace a faulty lid switch
6.Failed Water SupplyTurn on the tap, unkink the water supply tube, and improve the water pressure if it’s lower than 20psi
7.Failed ComponentReplace a defective control panel, timer, motor, or control board

Why is Maytag Centennial Washer Not Starting Cycle?

Here are the most likely reasons why your Maytag Centennial washer will not start:

1. Lack of Power

Does your Centennial washer have power? Does it turn on? If not, it won’t start because of the lack of power.

Essentially, here are the issues that could stop it from powering on:

  • Power loss – It makes sense to first check for a power loss. If there is, then that’s likely why your Centennial washer won’t turn on.
  • Loose or damaged plugging – If the power cord is loosely fixed into the power socket, it may disrupt the washer’s power supply, and in consequence, the washer may fail to turn on. The same could happen if the power cord is damaged.
  • An off power switch – You must turn on the power switch before the washer can turn on. If you don’t, then the washing machine won’t run.
  • Wrong outlet – Ideally, Maytag washers require a 3-prong outlet. It should be a wall socket and not an extension. If that’s not the case, the washing machine won’t start.
  • Defective outlet – Yes, the outlet might be correct, but the washer won’t power on if it’s faulty. The electric outlet usually fails to work when it blows up.
  • Tripped breaker – A power surge will trip up the circuit breaker, and once that’s the case, the washer won’t have the power it needs to turn on.
  • Faulty fuse – The thermal fuse may blow up during a power surge and like a tripped circuit breaker, it stops the washer from turning on.

Fix

First, check if you’ve power at home. If yes, check if the washer is plugged in firmly and if the power switch indicates ON.

Then check the outlet to ensure it’s 3-prong and working. Try to fit another working home appliance or portable lamp into it to see if it works. If it doesn’t, replace the socket as it’s defective.

Check the circuit breaker for tripping, reset it if that’s the case, and check the fuse with a multimeter to determine if it has continuity. If it doesn’t, replace it.

2. Non-Responsive Start Button

If the start button doesn’t engage the washer when you touch it, the washer won’t start. That could be due to any of these three reasons:

  • Not holding down the button long enough – You cannot expect the start button to engage the washer by only tapping it. No, you’ve to hold it down for at least 3 seconds.
  • Dirt obstruction – The start button could have accumulated dirt and is stuck. If so, it won’t be responsive when you start it.
  • Physical damage – The start button will also become non-responsive if physically damaged. So, you’ll need to check for signs of breakage.

Fix

Hold the start switch for at least 3 seconds to engage the control panel fully. If there are dirt obstructions around it, clean it off, and if the start button is broken, replace it.

Why does my Maytag washer not start

3. Delayed Cycle

Maytag washers typically have the Delay Wash function, delaying the washer’s starting time. In such a case, the washer only begins at the pre-scheduled time. It won’t immediately start when you hit start.

Fix

You should turn off the Delay Wash setting if it’s active to allow the washer to start immediately.

4. Locked Controls

Is the Control Lock on? If yes, then that’s why your Maytag Centennial washer won’t start. The Control Lock disables the control panel and prevents unintended operating.

So, ideally, it’s a safety feature for preventing kids from accessing the washer. But before you can use the washer, you’ve to disable this function.

Fix

Disable Control Lock by holding down the switch for a few seconds until the light goes off.

5. Unlocked Lid

Your Centennial washer will detect an unlatched lid, even if it’s only slightly open. When it does, the washer will stop running if it is running. If it isn’t, it won’t start.

So, carefully inspect the lid to see if it’s open. If it is, then you’ve to find out why. It could be that something like a piece of cloth obstructs it, or perhaps the issue is with the lid switch, which won’t engage the lid.

Fix

Remove anything impeding the washer lid. And if the lid won’t lock tightly, test its lid switch with a multimeter to see if it has any continuity. If it doesn’t, replace it.

6. Failed Water Supply

Your Centennial washer may also fail to start because of the lack of water. In such a case, it could be that the tap is off or not fully open, the water supply tube is kinked, or the supplying water pressure is inadequate (under 20 psi).

Fix

Ensure the tap is fully open; if not, open it. If the water supply tube is kinked, straighten it out. And if the washer still won’t fill up with water, use a water pressure gauge to check the supplying water pressure.

If the pressure is less than 20psi, again check for kinks on the supply tube and clear them. Then try to adjust the water from the main to improve the water pressure.

7. Failed Component

Lastly, consider that your Centennial washer might not be starting because of a failed component. The components to focus on include the following:

  • Control panel – If the control panel is defective, some of its buttons won’t be responsive, and if it happens to be the start button, your washing machine won’t start.
  • Timer – The timer should function correctly. If it does, it may fail to relay the signal to the control board to start the washer.
  • Motor – For the washer to run, the motor has to run. In that case, you’ve to check if the motor is faulty. It could be worn out.
  • Control board – If the control board is defective, no buttons will be responsive, and your washer may even fail to light up. This component doesn’t fail often, but when it does, the entire washer operations fail.

Fix

Replace any of the four washer components if they are faulty. If you’ve doubts, have a washer expert inspect them.

Maytag washer troubleshooting will not start

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Does My Maytag Washer Not Start?

Your Maytag washer won’t start for different reasons. It could be because the washer lacks power, and possible explanations include an outage, tripped breaker, loose power plug, faulty socket, or a blown-up fuse.

If your washer has power but won’t start, it could be because of an enabled Control Lock, a Delay Wash setting, or an open lid. And if that’s not the case, it could be due to a malfunctioning timer, motor, or control board.

2. Does A Maytag Centennial Washer Have a Reset Button?

Sadly, Maytag Centennial washers don’t have a dedicated reset switch. You have to use other means to reset them. One way to reset your Centennial washer is to unplug it for about 3-5 minutes. If that doesn’t work, unplug it again but make it 10 minutes this time.

3. How Can I Reset a Maytag Centennial Washer?

You can hard reset a Maytag Centennial washer like other washing machines. That requires you to plug it out for about 3-5 minutes and then back in. If it doesn’t reset after that, plug it out again but now for 10 minutes.

4. What are Common Problems with Maytag Washers?

Maytag washers, like other washing machines, are not perfect. They suffer a few problems from time to time that you can troubleshoot. Common Maytag washing machine problems include not starting, not draining, not filling up with water, not spinning, not agitation, and spin cycle noise problems.

Concluding Thoughts On Maytag Centennial Washer Not Starting:

Now you know the seven things to consider when your Maytag Centennial washer won’t start. That includes the lack of power, a non-working start button, an active Delay Wash or Control Lock, an unlatched lid, and failed water supply. And if none of those, see if the control panel, timer, motor, or main control is faulty and replace it.

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