Maytag Washer Sense and Done Lights Flashing Fix

Quick Answer

When the Sense and Done lights flash together, your Maytag washer is stuck between cycles or cannot verify the position of the shift actuator. Try a hard reset by unplugging the unit for two minutes. If the flashing persists, the shift actuator or lid lock usually needs replacement.

Most of the time when I see this pattern, the shift actuator is the culprit. It's a $70 part and about an hour of work if you're comfortable tipping the machine back. Don't ignore it though. Keep running the washer in this state and you'll burn out the motor trying to shift between agitate and spin. That turns a manageable repair into a $300 nightmare.

MaytagWasherSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate88% DIY Success

Time to Fix

20–60 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

—

Tools Needed

5/16 inch nut driver, Phillips #2 screwdriver

What Does the SENSE-DONE-FLASHING Code Mean?

OK so here's the deal. Your Maytag tried to shift gears between wash and spin and got zero response back. Nine times out of ten it's that shift actuator sitting right under the machine near the drive belt. The good news is it's probably not the control board, which runs $180+. The actuator's usually $65 to $80 and honestly pretty straightforward to swap yourself.

Most Likely Causes

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

Shift Actuator Failure65%

Lid Lock Malfunction20%

Wiring/Harness Issues10%

Control Board Error5%

Symptoms You May Notice

Washer fills with water normally then just sits there with Sense and Done lights blinking, never moving on to agitate or spin.
You hear the motor hum for a few seconds at the start of the cycle, then it stops and the lights start flashing in a steady rhythm, about once per second.
Lid stays locked even after you cancel the cycle and unplug the machine for a minute.
Machine freezes right at the transition between wash and spin, sometimes with a full tub of soapy water still sitting in there.
Washer sometimes completes a cycle but starts flashing these lights randomly mid-load, like it forgot where it was in the sequence.

Can you reset a Maytag washer to clear the SENSE-DONE-FLASHING code?

Unplug the washer and wait five full minutes. While it's unplugged, open and close the lid six times within twelve seconds. Plug it back in, then immediately enter diagnostic mode with the knob sequence, turn to the Rinse light, and press Start. Let that four-minute calibration run all the way through before you attempt a real load.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

5/16 inch nut driverPhillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverMultimeterFlashlightNeedle-nose pliersMoving blanket or cardboard to protect floor when tipping machine

Service / Diagnostic Mode

Turn knob Left 1 click, Right 3 clicks, Left 1 click, Right 1 click (half second between each). All lights will flash to confirm entry. Turn to Done light and press Start to read stored fault codes.

Diagnostic Checklist

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use the washer if the Sense and Done lights are flashing?

Honestly, no. The machine's locked itself out on purpose. It won't fill, it won't spin, and the lid's probably staying locked as a safety measure. Running it repeatedly in this state can cause the motor to overheat trying to shift gears over and over. Don't keep hitting Start hoping it'll snap out of it. You'll burn out the motor and what was a $70 actuator repair becomes a $300+ motor job. Just unplug it and work through the diagnostic steps.

How much does it cost to fix a shift actuator on a Maytag washer?

The part itself usually runs $65 to $90. Part number W10006355 fits most of the VMW platform machines and you can grab it online for less than what a parts store charges. If you're doing it yourself, it's about an hour of your time. Hire a tech and you're probably looking at $175 to $225 total with labor. It's one of the most common repairs on this platform, I probably do five or six of these a month.

Why does the calibration cycle fail at the end?

If it fails, the board's still hitting resistance somewhere. First thing to check is whether something's stuck between the inner and outer tub, even a single sock can cause enough drag that calibration can't complete. Also check the drive belt. If it's glazed or cracking, it'll slip during calibration and the basket won't move at the right speed. Replace the belt if it looks shiny or cracked, then try calibration again. It's a $15 part.

Will a master reset fix the flashing lights permanently?

Only if it was caused by a power glitch. If a power flicker caught the machine mid-shift and scrambled the board's memory, a reset will fix it and you'll probably never see it again. But if the lights come back after one or two loads, something physical is failing. No amount of resetting will stop it. At that point you've got a bad actuator, a cracked lid lock, or occasionally a bad board that needs replacing.

How do I know if it's the shift actuator or the control board?

Almost always it's the actuator. The board fails too but way less often. Before you spend $180 on a control board, swap the actuator first. It's $70 and if that doesn't fix it, then you start looking at the board. The diagnostic mode will sometimes show a specific fault code pointing at the board, like an F7 or E1 code, but if you're just seeing Sense and Done flash with no other codes stored, start with the actuator every single time.

Is this error specific to certain Maytag models?

Pretty much any Maytag washer on the VMW platform from around 2010 to now can throw this. That covers a huge chunk of the MVWB and MVWC lineup. The design's been around long enough that the actuator part is cheap and easy to find, and there's tons of documentation on it. If you've got a Maytag Bravos or Centennial top-loader from the last decade or so, you're probably looking at this exact issue.

Models Known to Experience SENSE-DONE-FLASHING Errors

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

MVWC415EW1, MVWC465HW0, MVWB765FW0, MVWB835DW0, MVWB955FC0, MVWC555DW0, MVWB725BW0, MVWB865GC0

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026