Generally, you only expect your Maytag Centennial washer to stay in the sensing phase for a few minutes as it senses the load. What if it doesn’t go past sensing fill? How do you explain a Maytag Centennial washer stuck on sensing mode for over 3 minutes?
Your Maytag Centennial washer won’t go past sensing mode due to an error code, load imbalance or overload, an open lid, a stuck key, drain pump clogging, low water pressure, or component failure.
And concerning component failure, the failed component could be the capacitor, actuator, water inlet valve, water-level sensor, motor, or control board. So, you may need to inspect all these components after ruling out the other seven issues.
This troubleshooting guide will help you determine which of the eight issues stops your Centennial washer from transitioning from the sensor to the wash phase. Let’s dive in!
In a hurry? See the quick fixes to the eight issues which could stop your Centennial washer from going past sensing fill.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide for A Maytag Centennial Washer Stuck On Sensing Fill
| – | Likely Cause | Recommended Fix |
| 1. | Error Code | Reset the washer |
| 2. | Load Imbalance | Stabilize the washer and move the load around evenly |
| 3. | Load Overload | Try fewer clothes |
| 4. | Open Lid | Close the lid and if it won’t, test the lid switch and replace it if it’s bad |
| 5. | Stuck Key | Clean around the stuck free and gently pat its side to free it |
| 6. | Drain Pump Clogging | Clean the drain pump, especially the filter |
| 7. | Low Water Pressure | Clear any kinks and adjust the water pressure from its main |
| 8. | Component Failure | Replace the capacitor, actuator, water inlet valve, water-level sensor, motor, or control board if faulty |
Why Is My Maytag Centennial Washer Stuck On Sensing?
A Maytag Centennial washing machine stays on sensing fill/mode for less than 3 minutes as it tries to sense the load. If it doesn’t, perhaps due to a malfunction, the washer will stay on sensing for some time and won’t start washing.
Overall, here are the eight probable reasons your Maytag Centennial washer won’t go past sensing:
1. Error Code
If there is an error code, it could stop the Centennial washer from transitioning from sensing fill to the washing cycle. As a result, the washer may only light up the sensing light but won’t run.
Fix
Consider resetting the washer to clear the error code and reset the control board. Here’s how to perform the Maytag Centennial washer reset:
Option 1 – Hard Reset
The hard reset involves these steps:
- Plug out the washing machine
- Wait for 60 seconds to plug it back in
- Then wait for 30 seconds to run it
If the washer doesn’t reset after the above steps, consider turning off the water supply and disconnecting the hoses before unplugging for 60 seconds. Then reconnect the water supply and hoses and plug back the washer before holding down the power switch for at least 10 seconds.
Option 2 – Sensor Reset
You can reset the washer’s sensors using these steps:
- Disconnect the water supply and hoses
- Wait for 60 seconds to reconnect the hoses
- Then turn on the water supply and run the washer
2. Load Imbalance
If the load is out of balance, the washer’s sensors may sense that, stopping the washer from starting. In that case, the washer will stay in the sensing fill. Often, the clothes go out of position because the washer is not leveled.
Fix
Check if the clothes are out of balance and move them around. While at it, ensure you stabilize the washer by adjusting its feet. You can even move it to a leveled ground if you can’t adapt its feet.
3. Laundry Overload
The Centennial washer may also stay on sensing fill if it detects a clothes overload. Ideally, you shouldn’t load the drum more than ¾ full. Not only will the washer fail to spin, but it may also stay in sensing mode.
Fix
Reduce the clothes in the washer and try running only a few clothes. The clothes, however, shouldn’t be less than ½ complete as the washer may fail to run again.
4. Open Lid
Your Maytag Centennial washer may fail to run if it detects an open lid. The sensor light may come on in such a case, but the washer won’t go past the sensing fill.
Overall, it could be that something obstructs the washer’s lid; if that’s not it, the chances are that the lid switch is defective. If so, it doesn’t allow the lid to engage and latch securely.
Fix
Scrutinize the lid and clean off any dirt obstruction. Then try to latch the lid securely. If it doesn’t lock, test the lid switch with a multimeter device to see if it has continuity. And if it doesn’t, replace it.
5. Stuck Key
If a key is stuck and the washer sensor senses it, it won’t start. It’ll only light up the sensing fill light but won’t transition into the wash cycle until you free up the stuck key.
In most cases, the cause is dirt clogging, which is one reason you should regularly clean the control panel. If it’s dusty or dirty, the filth may get trapped below or around a particular key, rendering it unresponsive.
Fix
Check around the stuck key and clean it to try and free it up. It may also help to gently pat the stuck key as you try to dislodge it.
6. Drain Pump Clogging
The drain pump, especially its filter, may clog up over time. Once that’s the case, the Centennial’s sensor may see it as a fault and stop the washer from running past the sensing phases.
Overall, the drain pump may clog up with dirt, gunk, sand, debris, or dried suds, and if so, the washer won’t start a new cycle.
Fix
If the drain pump, especially the filter, is clogged, you must clean it. Pay special attention to the filter while at it and ensure it’s clean. After that, try to run the washer.
7. Low Water Pressure
Your Centennial washing machine needs a water pressure of at least 20 psi to receive adequate water. If the pressure is too low, the washer won’t fill up; if it doesn’t, the washer sensor won’t detect the load. And if it doesn’t do so, the washer will stay in sensing mode.
Fix
Using a home water pressure gauge, measure your washer’s water supply pressure. If it’s less than 20psi, adjust it from the main. While at it, remove any kinks along the supply line.
8. Component Failure
Lastly, your Centennial washer might be stuck on sensing fill if one of the components below is malfunctioning or just defective:
- Capacitor – The capacitor may have burnt out, and if so, the washer will buzz to signal a struggling motor. The washer sill stays in sensing mode since all that points to an anomaly.
- Actuator – The actuator will also stop the washer from transitioning from sensing to washing when it stops working. Usually, you should check if the actuator is short-circuited, broken, or worn out.
- Water inlet valve – If the valve is clogged, damaged, or worn out, it won’t be able to control the amount of water flowing to the drum. In consequence, the washer is unable to go past the sensing fill.
- Water-level sensor – The work of the water-level sensor is to signal the water inlet valve to allow it to regulate water flow to the drum. Once it fails, it affects the inlet valve, stopping the washer from transitioning from sensing fill to wash cycle.
- Motor – The drum won’t spin if the washer motor is defective, and the washer will fail to detect the load. If it doesn’t do that, then it’ll stay on sensing fill.
- Control board – Lastly, if it’s none of the other parts and you can’t find why your washer won’t go past the sensing fill, it’s highly likely that the control board is defective.
Fix
Replace any of the above washing machine parts if defective.
Is Your Maytag Centennial Washer Stuck in Sensing Mode Still?
Have you explored all the above issues, and your washer won’t go past sensing mode? Perhaps you can’t pinpoint the problem and therefore can’t act.
If so, consider using the manual to put your Centennial washer in diagnostic mode. That’ll allow you to get an error code or several error codes, giving you an idea of what might stop your washer from going past the sensing mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Is My Maytag Washer Stuck On Sensing?
Your Maytag washer may stay in sensing mode for different reasons. It could be that there’s an error code, the lid won’t latch, or there’s a stuck key. It could also be that the load is out of balance or excessive, and if that’s not, it could be due to a defective capacitor, actuator, inlet valve, motor, water-level sensor, or control board.
2. How Do You Reset the Sensor On a Maytag Centennial Washing Machine?
You can reset the Maytag Centennial washing machine sensor by disconnecting its water supply and hoses for at least 1 minute. Then you should reconnect the hoses and turn on the water supply before running the washing machine.
3. Does A Maytag Centennial Washer Have a Reset Button?
No. A Maytag Centennial washer has no defined reset button like most Maytag washers. However, you can reset it using other means, such as the hard reset (where you unplug it briefly).
4. Where Is the Reset Button On a Maytag Centennial Washer?
You won’t find a defined reset button on a Maytag Centennial washer, meaning you cannot reset it using the reset button. What you can do, however, is hard reset it by unplugging it for about a minute or so.
Closing Remarks
Above are the eight probable explanations for a Maytag Centennial washer stuck on. Thus, consider all the issues when unsticking the washer and transition it from sensing fill to the wash cycle.
Remember, if that doesn’t happen, the washer won’t wash, and so you must act fast. But if you are not handy or can’t fix it, call a washer expert.
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