Maytag Washer ERROR Error Code: Causes and Fixes

The Start Button Flashing error on your Maytag dishwasher means the control panel has detected that a cycle was interrupted or that the door was opened before the cycle finished. The blinking light is the dishwasher’s way of telling you it’s paused and waiting for you to close the door and press Start again to resume.

What the Start Button Flashing error means

Maytag dishwashers don’t have a numbered fault code for a flashing Start button — instead, this blinking light is a built-in safety pause. It tells you the machine stopped mid-cycle, usually because the door was opened, there was a power interruption, or the control board didn’t get a clean signal that the door latched shut.

In most cases the dishwasher hasn’t actually failed. It’s simply waiting for confirmation that the door is closed properly and for you to press Start again to pick up where it left off.

Common causes

• Door was opened during the wash, dry, or rinse cycle
• Door not latched fully shut, so the door switch doesn’t register closed
• Short power outage or a tripped breaker mid-cycle
• Child lock or control lock enabled, blocking new button presses
• Worn or misaligned door latch assembly not making contact
• Control board glitch after a power surge

How to fix the Start Button Flashing error

1. Close the door firmly: Push the door until you hear or feel it latch, then press Start. Many blinking-light cases are simply an unlatched door.
2. Check for a child lock: Look for a lock icon on the panel. Hold the “Heated Dry” or “Lock” button (check your model’s manual) for 3 seconds to disable it, then try Start again.
3. Power cycle the dishwasher: Turn off the breaker for 60 seconds, or unplug the unit, then restore power. This resets the control board and clears a stuck flashing light.
4. Inspect the door latch: Open the door and look at the latch and strike plate. If it’s bent, loose, or doesn’t click firmly, tighten the screws or replace the latch assembly.
5. Restart the cycle manually: After closing the door and confirming no lock is active, press Start once and hold the door shut for a few seconds to let the switch register.
6. Call for service if it persists: If the light keeps flashing after these steps, the door switch or control board may need professional testing and replacement.

FAQ

Why does my Maytag dishwasher’s Start button keep blinking?
It usually means the cycle was interrupted — either the door was opened, power was lost briefly, or the door isn’t latching correctly. Closing the door firmly and pressing Start again resolves most cases.

Do I need to restart the whole cycle from the beginning?
No. Once you close the door and press Start, the dishwasher resumes from where it paused rather than starting over.

Is a flashing Start button the same as an error code?
Not exactly. Maytag washers use numbered fault codes like those covered in the Maytag Washer F1 Error Code: Causes and Fixes guide, but dishwashers typically use a flashing light as a simple pause indicator rather than a diagnostic code.