Maytag dishwasher not filling with water

A dishwasher that won't fill is checked at the supply first: the shutoff valve under the sink and the supply line. Next come the float, which blocks filling if it is stuck up, and a drain connection that siphons water out as it comes in. If those are fine, the inlet valve, its wiring, the flow meter or the control need professional testing.

Quick checks first

• Check that the hot water shutoff under the sink is fully open.
• Make sure the door is fully latched; the dishwasher will not fill with it unlatched.
• Lift the float in the front corner of the tub gently and make sure it moves freely and is not stuck up.
• Remember that a normal fill only covers the bottom of the tub to just above the filter.
• Check that the dishwasher is level and not tilted so the float rises early.

Water supply Owner check

The documentation lists water supply first: the valve under the sink turned on and a supply line adequate for the flow. A valve partly closed during other plumbing work, or a kinked supply line behind the dishwasher, are easy to miss after plumbing work. If the house has low pressure, fill takes longer and may trigger a low-water code.

Float and level Owner check

The float is an overfill safety. When it is lifted, the float switch tells the control the tub is full and the valve stays closed. Food or a utensil wedged under the float, or a dishwasher tilted forward, can hold it up. The documentation asks to free the float, listen for the switch click, and check that the unit is level.

Siphoning drain connection Technician

If the drain hose is not looped high or is connected incorrectly, water can siphon out as fast as it comes in, so the tub never reaches its level. The documentation describes letting the dishwasher fill, draining briefly, and checking whether water keeps leaving. A drain loop that has come loose from the side of the dishwasher causes the same thing.

Inlet valve and its screen Technician

The inlet valve opens when the control powers its solenoid. The documentation checks the valve coil and its connections, and an inlet screen on the valve that can plug with sediment. Reaching the valve means removing the lower panel with power and water off, so this is service work.

Flow meter and control Technician

Newer models measure incoming water with a flow meter rather than timing the fill. A faulty meter can stop the fill early or trigger a fill error. The control's drive circuit for the valve is checked last, using the service diagnostic cycle and the error history.

Error codes linked to this problem

If your Maytag dishwasher shows one of these codes, start with its page:

• F6E1
• F6E2
• F6E4
• F8E1
• F8E2
• F8E3
• 6-1
• 6-2
• 6-4
• 6-7
• 8-3

Repair cost

Typical total ranges for the Las Vegas area, parts and labor included. The final cost depends on diagnosis, the exact model, parts availability and whether other damage is found.

When to call for diagnosis

Call for service if water is on and the float moves freely but the dishwasher still does not fill, or if a fill or float code appears.

Model-specific information

Causes and codes differ by platform. Look up your model for its exact fault-code list, or start from a popular model:

• MDB8959SKB
• MDB8959SKK
• MDB8959SKW
• MDB8959SKZ
• MDB9959SKZ
• MDB9979SKZ
• MDTS4224PZ
• MDB4949SDZ
• MDB4949SHB
• MDB4949SHW
• MDB4949SHZ
• MDB7949SDZ