Maytag Dishwasher: Smells Like Burning
A burning smell often means an overheating pump motor, melted wiring, or a failing control board. Add a photo of your Maytag Dishwasher in the box below: the Triage Profile says what it is, how urgent it is, and who to call.
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In the next five minutes
Safe first steps, before the call. Nothing here needs a tool.
Smoke or flames: get everyone out and call 911.
No smoke or flames? Turn the dishwasher off and switch off its breaker; keep the door shut.
Don’t use it again until it’s checked, and keep people away from it.
Everything else about this problem
Is it an emergency?
Is a burning smell from a Maytag dishwasher an emergency?
Treat it as urgent. Turn it off and unplug it or switch off its breaker, and do not use it again until the cause is found. If you see smoke or flames, or smell gas, get everyone out and call 911.
Symptoms & causes
A burning smell from your Maytag dishwasher often indicates an electrical issue, such as a failing wash motor, a shorted heating element, or damaged wiring. You might also notice the dishwasher failing to start, stopping mid-cycle, or dishes not drying properly. The acrid odor is typically caused by overheating components melting plastic insulation or nearby parts, signaling a serious internal fault.
Tools & parts
You will likely need a multimeter for electrical tests. A replacement Maytag heating element or a new wash motor assembly may be needed. Essential hand tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and nut drivers are also necessary for accessing internal components.
Safety first
Immediately shut off the power to your Maytag dishwasher at the main circuit breaker to prevent further damage or potential fire hazards. Always wear insulated gloves and safety glasses when inspecting or working with electrical components to protect against shock and debris. Ensure the water supply valve is also closed before disconnecting any hoses to avoid leaks and water-related electrical risks.
When to call a pro
If the burning smell is accompanied by visible smoke, sparks, or extensive charring on wiring, it indicates a severe electrical short requiring professional intervention. Complex failures involving the main control board or the pump motor assembly, especially if multiple components appear burnt, are best identified and repaired by a certified Maytag technician. Intermittent electrical issues that are difficult to pinpoint or require specialized testing equipment also warrant a service call.
Questions people ask
What causes a Maytag dishwasher to smell like burning plastic?
A burning plastic smell often points to an electrical component overheating and melting nearby plastic parts, such as the heating element melting the lower spray arm or wire insulation burning. It could also be a foreign object like a plastic utensil falling onto the heating element and scorching.
Is it safe to run my Maytag dishwasher if it smells like burning?
No, it is absolutely not safe to run your Maytag dishwasher if you detect a burning smell. This indicates a serious electrical or mechanical fault that could lead to a fire or further damage, so immediately disconnect power at the breaker and cease operation.
Can a clogged drain cause a burning smell in a Maytag dishwasher?
While a clogged drain typically causes water pooling and poor cleaning, a severely restricted drain could overwork the drain pump motor, causing it to overheat and emit a burning smell. However, electrical component failure, such as a faulty heating element or wash motor, is a more common culprit for this specific symptom.
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What it is, how urgent, who to call
Add a photo of your Maytag Dishwasher in the box at the top. The Triage Profile says what it is, how urgent it is, and who to call.