Easy Ways to Fix a Maytag Washer that is Not Dispensing Detergent

Is your Maytag washer not dispensing detergent or not dispensing soap at all? Finding the drawer full of water or the washer leaving detergent in the drawer is annoying, but dried soap and weak water flow are common causes.

Luckily, I have found several checks you can do without opening the washer cabinet, and a thorough drawer cleaning is the best place to start.

Why Is My Maytag Washer Not Dispensing Detergent?

To fix a Maytag washer not dispensing detergent, use the right soap, clean and refit the drawer parts, check water flow, and level the machine properly.

The drawer design differs by model. Check the labels and removal directions in your manual, and never force a drawer that is stuck.

Use the Correct Detergent and Compartment

Put detergent in the compartment marked for the main wash, not the bleach or softener section. Use the detergent type required by your washer and measure it for the load and water hardness.

Too much soaps can turn into a thick paste that the rinse water cannot carry away. Liquid poured above a fill line may also drain too early or leave a mess.

Remove and Clean the Drawer

Dried soap can stop the drawer moving and block the small water openings above it. Unplug the washer before you clean this area.

Follow these steps to clean the detergent drawer:

1. Pull the drawer out until it stops.
2. Press the release shown in your washer manual and remove the drawer without forcing it.
3. Take out removable inserts and soak them in warm water.
4. Scrub away detergent with a soft brush, then rinse every channel.
5. Wipe the empty drawer housing with a damp cloth and dry all the parts.

Small water holes sometimes gets coated with detergent. Clear only loose residue with a soft brush, and do not push a sharp object into them.

Refit the Inserts and Siphon Parts

Push each clean insert fully back into its matching compartment. A loose softener or bleach siphon cap can leave the drawer full of water or stop that product from dispensing.

These pieces is small but important. Compare their position with the picture in your manual if the drawer does not slide smoothly after cleaning.

Check the Washer's Water Flow

Open both water taps fully and straighten any kink in the inlet hoses. Weak flow may not rinse detergent out of the drawer.

Turn off the taps and unplug the washer before removing a hose. Clean the inlet screens gently if your manual allows it, then reconnect the hoses and check carefully for leaks.

If the washer also fills slowly, our guide about a Maytag washer that is not filling with water explains the supply checks in more detail.

Level the Washer and Test the Inlet Valve

A badly tilted washer can leave water sitting at one side of the drawer. Adjust the feet so the cabinet is steady and level.

If water never sprays into a clean drawer, there may be a clogged passage or failed inlet valve. There are several part that need testing, so ask a technician to inspect them and contact Maytag first when the washer is under warranty.

For an odor that remains after the drawer is clean, see how to clean a Maytag washer that smells bad.

Conclusion

A clean, correctly fitted drawer should empty during the wash. Try these five fixes:

• Use the correct detergent and compartment
• Remove and clean the drawer
• Refit the inserts and siphon parts
• Check the washer's water flow
• Level the washer and test the inlet valve