Maytag Washer Not Agitating: Proven Ways To Fix It!

No wonder, with the help of a high-tech Maytag washer, the laundry will never be a challenging chore for you. But sometimes the washer won’t agitate due to some reasons interrupting the way the laundry is done.

When your Maytag washer not agitating, the possible reasons can be power supply problems, motor coupling failure, damaged lid switch, clutch, and door belt, the defective motor, or the broken agitator itself.

However, whenever your washing machine is not working right, the solution can be as easy as checking the power supply or as hard as you require professional help. Whatever it will be, let’s try to know the matter in detail.

Troubleshooting And The Fixes For The Maytag Washer That Is Not Agitating

From our deep search and years of experience, we see that users generally face the Maytag washer not agitating problem in two situations, one where the Maytag washer is neither agitating nor spinning, and the other where the washer is spinning but not agitating.

To assist you the utmost, we will cover the matter in those two subsections comprehensively. So, go down reading.

Situation 1: Maytag Washer Not Agitating Or Spinning

First, let’s try to pinpoint the reasons and possible solutions for the problem where your Maytag washer is not agitating or spinning.

1. Faulty Incoming Power Supply

As a rule of thumb, your Maytag washer requires a proper power supply either to agitate or spin. So, whenever the problem happens, your first attempt should be checking the power supply. 

• Ensure your washer is properly plugged in and you are not using any extension cord. 
• Check whether the circuit breaker that controls your washer is tripped. If yes, reset it. 
• Replace the blown fuses if there are any.

2. Failed Motor Coupling

When you overload your Maytag washer, it won’t spin or agitate. That time motor coupling fails so as to protect the motor or transmission from burning out from load.

Moreover, sometimes motor coupling fails over time. So, behind the not agitating issue, possibly it can be an overload or the failed motor coupler. Check the load and inspect the motor coupling. If it has failed, replace it.

3. Damaged Lid Switch, Door Latch, Belt, And Clutch

These are the other potential components of your Maytag washer that commonly fail and make the washer neither to agitate nor spin. For instance, a lid switch triggers the washer to begin the spin cycle when you close the door. If that fails, the washer won’t agitate. The same happens when the door latch, belt, or clutch becomes damaged.

However, to deal with it out-

• Check the continuity of the lid switch and if it is bad, replace it. 
• The drive belt may be loose, worn out, or broken. Tighten the belt if loose or have an entire replacement. 
• As for the belt drive, it can break and fall off the pulley wheel. If possible, put the belt back on the pulley wheel. You need to replace the broken belt. 
• A worn-out clutch indicates it needs to call a professional to replace it.

4. Malfunctioning Timer

The timer of the Maytag washer is the component that controls the motor and indirectly connects the agitator to the motor. It supplies power to the motor allowing it to turn on and to function properly.

Now check whether the timer is to blame.

• Step 1– To do so, you first need to determine if the washer drive motor is running or getting enough power. 
• Step 2– If you see the drive motor is not getting any power but the door latch and lid switch assembly show appropriate in the multimeter test, the timer is damaged. 
• Step 3– Now you need to replace the faulty timer.

5. Faulty Drive Motor

If not the problem solved yet, the last possibility for the Maytag washer not agitating or spinning, it can be that the drive motor might be defective. But keep in mind that it is rare for this symptom.

So, before replacing the drive motor, check all the common parts that can be damaged. If everything is fine, consider replacing the drive motor. To determine its failure-

• First, ensure that the Maytag washer motor is getting power. 
• If the motor doesn’t run freely, hums but does not run, or is noisy, the motor is damaged. Replace it to solve the issue.

Situation 2: Maytag Washer Not Agitating But Does Spin

Now let’s see the possible reasons for your Maytag washer that is not agitating but spinning and the best possible ways to fix it. Here we go.

1. Broken Agitator

When you are about to do your laundry and see that your Maytag washer is spinning but not agitating at all, the agitator may have broken to perform its function anymore.

Due to regular use, the agitator gradually wears down leading to a break. However, to check whether the agitator is bad, you need to remove it from the washer and inspect it for wear and tear.

• First, try to turn the agitator manually. If you feel resistance while manually moving the agitator, the agitator is fine. 
• If not, you need to remove the agitator from the washer. 
• Unplug your washer and lift the lid. Then remove the fabric softener 
• Remove the agitator by completely loosening it. 
• Now replace the damaged one with a new one.

2. Transmission Problem

However, if the agitator and the other parts look in good shape, then malfunctioning transmission is to blame for the woes.

Transmission is the part of the machine which helps the agitator to move back and forth.

In case the Maytag washer spins but does not agitate, the transmission needs to be checked.

If it has gone bad you may need to replace it. But you should keep in mind that Maytag doesn’t sell separate transmission parts.

That’s why you need to replace the whole transmission assembly which is overall costly.

So, before embarking on getting the transmission replacement, you ensure whether you should buy a new one or go with the replacement process.

3. Timer And Lid Switch Failure

At those frustrating times when your Maytag washer is spinning but not agitating, the lid switch or the timer can also be at fault.

First, check these commonly damaged parts of the washer creating the issue. If any of them have gone bad, repair or replace them.

4. Damaged Drive Motor

When the Maytag washer is not agitating but spins, the last possibility can be that the dive motor is damaged. However, it is also very rare for this symptom.

It’s because you know when the washer spins properly, then generally it indicates that nothing is wrong with the motor.

But by chance, if it’s suspected, first check and ensure whether the motor is defective. If yes, go ahead to replace it. But it is always better to get the professional’s help. 

That’s all! Expect that you have made it this far with troubleshooting. Good job!

FAQs

Hope that you get all clear about the problem that you are facing with your Maytag washer. However, there are some mostly-asked queries that you should also be aware of. 

Final Words

Well, we’re all done. At last, when your Maytag washer not agitating out of nowhere, check out all the possible causes and pinpoint what has gone wrong. It will help you to solve the issue precisely.

If you can’t find a way to fix the problem, don’t be tense. Troubleshooting the problems that can go wrong with modern appliances is best to leave the professionals. That’s why Maytag customer service is there for you.