Maytag dishwashers (MDB, JetClean) share the Whirlpool platform. Won't-drain causes cluster on filter, pump, check valve, drain hose, and the most missed cause — an unbroken disposer knockout plug on a new install.
Reviewed by Mike Larson, Master Appliance Technician · 18+ yrs in-field · Last reviewed
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Quick answer
Maytag dishwashers fail to drain in this order: (1) clogged filter and sump (food debris over the screen), (2) drain pump impeller jammed (glass, label peel, fruit pit), (3) check valve stuck (water back-siphons from disposer), (4) kinked or clogged drain hose, (5) disposer plug still installed (new disposer installs). Most repairs land $185–$385 all-in. Flat $149 trip fee waived on approval. 1-year warranty.
Root causes, ranked by what we find
What it is: The cylindrical filter at the bottom of the tub is impacted with food. Maytag recommends rinsing it monthly; most homes haven't touched it in years.
Fix: Pull and clean filter, vacuum sump, verify drain flow.
Typical all-in: $185–$245 all-in
What it is: Broken glass, plastic label, fruit pit, or twist tie wedged in the pump impeller. Pump hums but doesn't move water.
Fix: Pull pump, clear debris, inspect impeller for cracks, replace OEM pump if damaged.
Typical all-in: $285–$385 all-in
What it is: The check valve in the drain assembly is supposed to prevent disposer / sink water from back-siphoning into the dishwasher. Stuck open = drain water comes right back in.
Fix: Replace OEM check valve / drain assembly, verify no back-siphon.
Typical all-in: $245–$345 all-in
What it is: Hose kinked behind the dishwasher or partly clogged with grease at the high loop / disposer connection.
Fix: Re-route hose with proper high loop, clear obstruction, verify drain flow.
Typical all-in: $185–$285 all-in
What it is: New disposer installs require knocking out the internal plug at the dishwasher inlet — installers miss this regularly. Dishwasher pumps water against a solid plug.
Fix: Knock out plug per disposer instructions, clear debris from disposer, verify drain.
Typical all-in: $185–$245 all-in
Diagnostic order
Pull bottom rack, unscrew the filter assembly. Heavy debris = clean and retest before any parts work.
Shop-vac the standing water and any debris in the sump cavity.
Run a drain-only cycle (cancel + drain). Pump hum without flow = jam or failed impeller.
Pull washer out 6 inches, check hose for kinks, verify high loop, confirm disposer plug is knocked out on new installs.
After draining, look for water creeping back in from the disposer side — stuck check valve.
FAQs
Most often a clogged filter (free to clean), a jammed drain pump, a stuck check valve, or — on new disposer installs — an un-knocked-out disposer plug. Repair lands $185–$385 all-in; filter cleans are often $185 service-call territory.
Disposer plug is still in place. Every new disposer has an internal knockout at the dishwasher inlet that the installer must remove with a hammer and screwdriver — easy to miss. We've seen this hundreds of times. $185–$245 to knock out and clear debris.
Maytag recommends monthly for heavy users, quarterly minimum. Unscrew the cylinder, rinse under hot water, scrub the mesh, reinstall. 5-minute job that prevents most drain calls.
Cleaning cycles (Affresh, vinegar) help with film and odor but won't clear a physically blocked pump or filter. Mechanical clean first, cleaner cycle as maintenance.
$185–$385 all-in. Filter / sump clean $185–$245, pump $285–$385, check valve $245–$345, hose / install $185–$285. The $149 trip fee credits to repair.
Yes — drain pumps, check valves, drain hoses, filter assemblies, and main control boards for MDB and JetClean Maytag dishwashers (shared Whirlpool platform).
Related coverage
See all Maytag repair services.
What will this cost?
Trying to decide repair vs. replace? These pages break down real all-in pricing by brand, model class, and failure mode — so you know the number before we knock.
