The Clean Light Blinking error on your Maytag dishwasher means the control board has detected a cycle interruption or fault and is signalling that it could not complete the wash properly. In most cases this is caused by a power blip, a door latch issue, or a control lock glitch, and it can often be cleared with a simple reset.

Error code Clean Light Blinking
Meaning The dishwasher cycle was interrupted or the control board detected an error before the cycle finished
Severity Low — usually fixable without a technician
Time to fix 5–20 minutes
Tools needed None (occasionally a screwdriver to check the door latch)

What the Clean Light Blinking error means

On most Maytag dishwashers, the Clean light is supposed to glow steadily once a cycle finishes to tell you the dishes are done. When it blinks or flashes instead, it usually means the last cycle did not complete normally — often because of a power interruption, a door that didn’t latch fully, or the control board sensing an internal fault like a heating or drainage issue.

This blinking light is a general alert rather than a specific diagnostic code, so the fix is often as simple as clearing the memory with a reset. If the blinking continues after a reset, it usually points to a mechanical problem such as the door latch switch or a water temperature sensor.

Common causes

  • Power outage or brief power surge during a wash cycle
  • Door not latching or closing fully, tripping a safety interlock
  • Control lock or child lock feature engaged and misread as a fault
  • Faulty door latch switch or wiring connection
  • Water not reaching the correct temperature, triggering a cycle abort
  • Control board glitch needing a manual reset

How to fix the Clean Light Blinking error

  1. Check the door latch: Open and firmly close the dishwasher door, making sure it clicks and locks. A loose or misaligned latch is the most common cause of this issue.
  2. Power cycle the dishwasher: Turn off the circuit breaker for 5 minutes, or unplug the unit, then restore power. This clears the control board’s memory and often stops the blinking.
  3. Cancel and restart the cycle: Press and hold “Cancel” or “Start/Reset” for 3 seconds, wait for the light to stop, then close the door and start a new cycle.
  4. Check for control lock: Look for a small lock icon on the control panel. If enabled, hold the control lock button for 3 seconds to disable it, as this can sometimes be mistaken for an error.
  5. Inspect the door latch switch: If blinking continues, examine the latch assembly for visible damage or a loose wire connector. Replace the switch if it’s cracked or doesn’t click firmly.
  6. Call for service if it persists: If the light keeps blinking after these steps, the control board or a sensor may need professional diagnosis and replacement.

FAQ

Why is my Maytag dishwasher’s Clean light blinking instead of staying solid?
It usually means the last cycle was interrupted by a power loss, an open door, or a control fault, rather than finishing normally.

Will a power reset fix the blinking light for good?
In many cases yes — a full power cycle clears the control board’s memory and resolves the issue if it was a one-off glitch.

Is it safe to keep using the dishwasher while the light blinks?
Yes, but the current cycle likely did not finish properly, so it’s worth rerunning the wash to be sure your dishes are actually clean before use.