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ErrBase

Maytag Washer RL Code: Items Detected During Clean Cycle

Quick Answer

Maytag RL simply means the washer detected items in the drum when you started a Clean Washer cycle. Remove everything from the drum (check corners and the door gasket fold), then restart the clean cycle. This is not a malfunction - the washer is doing exactly what it should by refusing to run a cleaning cycle with laundry inside.

RL is a simple code: the Clean Washer (Affresh) cycle detected weight in the drum. Remove all items and restart. The rare case is when RL appears with a genuinely empty drum - this indicates a faulty load sensor or the washer needs a recalibration. To recalibrate: run the Centennial or Bravos calibration reset sequence. The correct way to run a Clean Washer cycle: empty drum, add 1 Affresh tablet OR 1 cup of white vinegar (not both), select Clean Washer cycle, select hot water if option available.

MaytagWasherSeverity: low99% DIY Success
Time to Fix
1–15 min
Difficulty
beginner
Parts Cost
—
Tools Needed
None
Wrong code?

Not seeing RL on your display?

Select what your appliance is actually doing and we'll take you to the right guide.

error code lookup
HUB
recalibration reset for load sensor
RESET
load sensor test in diagnostics
DIAG
identical code on Whirlpool platform
WhirlpoolrL

What Does the RL Code Mean?

RL is displayed when the load sensing system detects weight in the drum at the start of a Clean Washer cycle. The Clean Washer cycle requires an empty drum to run its high-temperature sanitizing protocol. On rare occasions, a miscalibrated load sensor will trigger RL even when the drum is genuinely empty.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Laundry left in drum80%
Wet residue triggering moisture sensor15%
Sensor fault (rare)5%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • RL code displayed when starting Clean Washer cycle
  • Machine stops immediately after Clean cycle is selected
  • Display shows load detected before any water has entered

Can you reset a Maytag washer to clear the RL code?

Remove all items from drum and restart Clean Washer cycle. If RL persists with empty drum, run calibration reset: open lid, dial 3 right - 1 left - 1 right within 6 seconds, close lid, press Start.

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

1

Empty the drum

Open the washer door and remove all clothing, towels, or any other items from the drum. Check inside the drum rim for small items like socks or cloths that might have been missed.

2

Restart Clean Washer cycle with empty drum

3

Run calibration reset

4

Run diagnostic mode to check load sensor

Frequently Asked Questions

What does RL mean on a Maytag washer?
RL stands for Reload. It appears exclusively during the Clean Washer cycle when the washer detects that the drum is not empty. The Clean Washer cycle is designed for drum-only cleaning and requires an empty load. Remove all laundry from the drum and restart the cycle.
Can I put an Affresh tablet in with clothes?
No. Affresh tablets are concentrated cleaning agents designed to run in an empty drum. Running them with laundry will not clean your clothes and may irritate skin. Use Affresh in the Clean Washer cycle only, with an empty drum. If you want to freshen laundry, use a standard laundry deodorizer or baking soda during a normal cycle instead.
RL appears even with an empty drum - what do I do?
A phantom RL with a confirmed empty drum points to load sensor miscalibration. Run the calibration reset sequence: open the lid, rotate the cycle selector dial 3 clicks right, 1 click left, 1 click right within 6 seconds, close the lid, and press Start. The washer will run a short self-calibration. After calibration, retry the Clean Washer cycle. If RL still appears, enter diagnostic mode to check the load sensor directly.

Related Maytag Washer Error Codes

Code: HUBAll Maytag Washer Error CodesCode: RESETHow to Reset a Maytag WasherCode: DIAGMaytag Washer Diagnostic Mode

Same Fix on Other Brands

Whirlpool washerrL: Whirlpool Washer rL Code: Items in Drum

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Maytag shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

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Models Known to Experience RL Errors

This repair applies to most Maytag washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

MVWC415EW, MVWC465HW, MVWB835DW, MVWB765FW, MVWX655DW, MVWB965HC, MVWC360AW, MVWC416FW

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026