Usually, a Maytag burner fails because of a burnt-out surface element or a loose connection at the terminal block. I recommend inspecting the element for visible pitting and swapping it with a known working burner to isolate the fault immediately.
Look, a dead burner isn't an emergency but don't ignore it. If a receptacle's arcing and you keep using it, that heat spreads to the wiring harness and a $15 fix turns into a $200 one real fast. Usually when I show up to one of these calls it's a cracked coil or a melted socket. Takes maybe 20 minutes to sort out if you catch it early.
OK here's the deal. Parts for this repair are cheap, usually $20-40 for an element or receptacle. Maytag coil stoves are honestly pretty bulletproof, so when a burner dies it's almost always one of three things: the element cracked, the socket melted, or the switch gave up. The tricky part is just figuring out which one failed first. Start cheap and work up the chain.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Surface Element Failure45%
Burner Receptacle Damage25%
Infinite Switch Failure20%
Wiring or Control Issues10%
Symptoms You May Notice
Burner stays stone cold no matter where you set the knob, even cranked all the way to high, while every other burner on the cooktop works fine
You smell something burning near the control knob area but there's zero heat coming from the coil itself
On a coil model, you can see a crack, blister, or a spot where the outer sheath has split open and looks scorched or discolored compared to the rest
Gas burner clicks continuously for 30+ seconds without igniting, or sparks at the wrong burner when you turn a different knob
Burner heats only on the 'High' setting and shuts off completely at any lower position
Can you reset a Maytag oven to clear the MAYTAG-BURNER-FAIL code?
There's no specific reset code for a burner failure on a Maytag range since it's a physical component issue, not a software fault. What you can do is cut power at the circuit breaker for 2 full minutes, then restore it. This clears any soft fault stored in the control board. If the burner still doesn't work after the power cycle, you've got a hardware failure and no amount of resetting is going to fix it.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriver (for terminal screws)Multimeter with continuity settingNeedle-nose pliersWire strippers (if replacing receptacle)Flashlight or headlamp
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range18–65 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is only one Maytag burner not working while the others are fine?
It's a localized failure, not a main power issue. The other burners working tells you your breaker's fine and the main power cord into the stove is fine. So now you're just looking at the circuit for that one specific burner, which is basically three parts: the element, the receptacle it plugs into, and the infinite switch behind the knob. Start with the element swap test I described above. You'll usually find the answer in about two minutes without touching a single tool.
Can I use a generic burner element on my Maytag stove?
Technically a lot of universal elements will physically fit, but I always tell people to get OEM Maytag parts if they can. Generic coils often have slightly different resistance values or prong dimensions. Here's the thing about using the wrong element: if it doesn't seat perfectly in the receptacle, you get arcing at the connection point. That arc generates heat, the heat melts the plastic receptacle, and now you've turned a $20 element replacement into a $20 element plus a $15 receptacle plus an hour of labor. Just get the right part.
Why does my gas burner click continuously but never light?
Moisture in the switches is probably your answer, especially if you recently cleaned the cooktop. Water seeps into the spark switches and keeps them triggering. I usually tell people to let it air dry for 24 hours with the burner caps off, or hit the area with a hair dryer on low for a few minutes. If that doesn't fix it, look at the igniter electrode. Take the grate and burner cap off and check if the ceramic tip is cracked or caked with grease. A contaminated electrode can't produce a reliable spark no matter how much it clicks.
How do I know if the infinite switch is the problem?
Swap the element and check the receptacle first. If both of those pass and the burner still won't heat, the infinite switch is almost certainly your problem. Dead giveaways: the burner only works on 'High' and cuts out at every other setting, or it doesn't turn on at all but the element and socket look perfect. You can confirm it with a multimeter checking for continuity across the switch terminals when it's turned to 'On'. If it reads open circuit with the knob on, you've got your answer.
Is it worth repairing an older Maytag range?
Yeah, honestly, usually yes. Maytag ranges from the early 2000s and 2010s are built solidly and these specific repairs are cheap. A replacement coil element is $15-25. A receptacle block is $12-20. Even an infinite switch, which is the priciest part here, runs $30-60 depending on your model. If you're doing it yourself you're looking at $20-60 in parts for most of these scenarios. A tech's going to charge $150-200 total with labor. Either way that's way less than a new range, and these old Maytags keep running forever once you sort the small stuff out.
How do I find my Maytag stove's model number to order the right parts?
It's on a label inside the oven door frame, usually on the left side when you open the door. Sometimes it's on the back of the drawer underneath the oven instead. Write it down before you go searching for parts because the exact same burner knob position on two different Maytag models can use a completely different infinite switch. Getting the model number right upfront saves you from ordering the wrong part and waiting another week for the right one to ship.
Models Known to Experience MAYTAG-BURNER-FAIL Errors
This repair applies to most Maytag ovens with this error code. Common model numbers include: