How to Reset a Maytag Washer (3 Methods That Work)

Quick Answer

To reset a Maytag washer, turn the cycle selector right one click, right one click, right one click, left one click from the Start position within 6 seconds. All LEDs should light up confirming diagnostic mode entry. Alternatively, unplug the washer for 2 minutes.

Most of the time when I get called out for a 'dead' Maytag, it's a software hang and a reset fixes it in two minutes. But if you're seeing the same code come back right after resetting, don't keep resetting it. You're just buying time before a real part fails. The most common hardware culprits after a failed reset are the lid lock and the shift actuator.

MaytagWasher

How to Reset Your Maytag Washer

OK so basically your washer's control board is a little computer, and like any computer it can freeze up. Maytag Bravos and Centennial machines are especially prone to this because the software's pretty sensitive to power interruptions and lid-timing issues. Good news is that about 80% of the time, one of these reset methods clears it up completely and you're back to normal without touching a single part.

Most Likely Causes

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

Need to clear a temporary error code after fixing the underlying issue40%

Washer unresponsive after power outage24%

Recalibration needed after motor or actuator replacement22%

Cycle stuck mid-progress and needs to be cancelled14%

Symptoms You May Notice

The washer stops dead in the middle of a spin cycle, water still in the tub, clothes soaking wet, and hitting Start does absolutely nothing
Error code flashing on the display and no matter how many times you press Cancel it just won't clear
Machine powers up fine, you select a cycle, hit Start, and then it just stops immediately before even filling with water
All the cycle indicator lights are blinking at once or the display is frozen on a screen that doesn't respond to any button
Lid lock keeps clicking and clicking but the cycle never actually starts

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverBucket and old towels (in case you need to manually drain before the reset)Multimeter (only if the reset doesn't hold and you're chasing a sensor or electrical fault)

Diagnostic Checklist

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

Did the reset not work?

If the problem comes back after following these steps, a component has permanently failed and needs replacement. Check the specific error code your washer is showing:

HUB Error →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unplugging a Maytag washer reset it?

Yes, but you've got to wait the full minute. I've seen too many people plug it back in after five seconds and wonder why it didn't work. Those capacitors on the Maytag board are stubborn. They need a full 60 seconds to bleed off their charge completely. If you don't wait, the logic circuit stays hot and it just remembers the error state. Give it a full minute, or even two if you want to be absolutely sure the board's wiped clean before you try again.

What is the button sequence to reset a Maytag top-load washer?

There's no single Reset button, but the dial sequence is the closest thing we've got. On the VMW platform, that 3-1-1 turn is the standard procedure. If you've got a touch-screen model, you often have to press and hold the Power button for three seconds, then the Start button for five. Every generation's got its own quirk, but the dial sequence covers the majority of top-loaders built in the last decade. Worth knowing before you call a tech.

Will a reset clear error codes permanently?

Think of a reset like rebooting a frozen computer. It clears the current jam, but it won't fix a broken hard drive. If a sensor's sending bad data because it's physically broken, the machine's just gonna throw the same error again as soon as it tries to use that part. I use resets to figure out if a fault was a one-time fluke from an unbalanced load or a power flicker. If the code comes back, something's actually broken and you need to dig deeper.

How do I reset a Maytag washer that won't turn on?

If the lights are all off, a reset probably won't help because there's no power getting to the logic board in the first place. I always check the outlet first with a hair dryer or a lamp. If the outlet's good, look for a tripped GFCI, especially if your laundry room's near a bathroom or garage. Those trip way more often than people realize. If the machine has power but won't wake up, then the 60-second unplug is your best bet to force the control board to restart its boot sequence from scratch.

Is there a reset button on a Maytag washer?

Nope. Customers ask me where the reset button is all the time, and I always have to break the news that it doesn't exist. Manufacturers want you to use the diagnostic sequences so you don't accidentally wipe a fault code that a technician needs to see. The closest thing to a reset button is the Power/Cancel combo on some models, but for a true deep reset you've got to use the unplug method or the calibration dial sequence. No magic button, unfortunately.

Related Maytag Washer Error Codes

Code: HUBAll Maytag Washer Error Codes: Complete Lookup Guide

Same Fix on Other Brands

Whirlpool washerHow to Reset a Whirlpool Washer

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 RESET Errors

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

MVWC415EW, MVWC465HW, MVWB835DW, MVWB765FW, MVWX655DW, MHW5500FW, MHW7000XW, MVWB965HC, MVWC300BW, MVWC360AW

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026