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Maytag Dishwasher Sanitize Light Flashing
A flashing Sani light at the end of a cycle is Maytag telling you the dishes came out clean but not sanitized. Usually it is the water temperature.
What a Flashing Sani Light Means
Maytag says the Sani light flashes when the dishwasher detects that the temperature needed for sanitizing wasn’t met. Maytag’s minimum incoming water temperature is 120°F (49°C). Opening the door mid-cycle lets heat escape and can cause it, and a power interruption during the cycle is another possibility. If the water is hot enough and the door stays shut, the dishwasher’s own heating or temperature sensing is next to check. Source: Maytag Sanitize light flashing (opens in a new tab).
Based in Plano
Serving homes across Dallas–Fort Worth
Real Warranty
90 days, 6 months for members
Diagnostic Credited
Toward the repair if you go ahead
Evenings and Weekends
Open daily, 8–8
Signs That Go With It
You may also notice these.
Why the Sanitize Temperature Was Missed
Maytag’s causes first, then what a technician checks.
Maytag’s Steps for the Sani Light
These take a few minutes and often solve it.
Test the hot water
Run the kitchen tap on hot for about 30 seconds, then check the temperature. Maytag’s minimum is 120°F; running the tap first also helps the dishwasher start with hot water.
Keep the door shut
Opening the door during a Sanitize cycle lets heat escape. Add forgotten dishes before you start, not partway through.
Reset for 30 seconds
Unplug the dishwasher, or switch off its breaker, for 30 seconds. Restore power and run the cycle again.
When to Call a Technician
Schedule a repair if:
- The water is over 120°F and it still flashes
- Dishes stay wet on every cycle
- Cycles take much longer than normal
- The light flashes after a power cycle
More Maytag Dishwasher Help
Maytag dishwasher repairMore help, including other Maytag codes:
Maytag dishwasher Clean Light error codeMaytag washer LdL error codeMaytag dryer Check Vent error codeAll Maytag appliance repairMaytag dishwasher error codesWritten estimate first
Hot Water but Still Flashing?
We test the heating element, thermistor and control on Maytag dishwashers and give a written price first.
- Diagnostic fee credited toward the repair
- 90-day warranty, 6 months for members
- Open daily, 8 AM–8 PM
Maytag Sani Light Questions
Maytag says the dishwasher detected that sanitizing temperatures weren’t reached, so the load wasn’t sanitized. Dishes may still be clean.
Maytag lists a minimum of 120°F (49°C) at the dishwasher. If your tap water is cooler, the water heater setting may be the cause.
They have been washed but not sanitized to the Sanitize option’s standard. For baby bottles or anything that needs sanitizing, run the cycle again once the cause is fixed.
Yes. If the incoming water is hot enough and the door stayed shut, a failing heating element or temperature sensor is a likely cause, and a technician can test both.
ALAS Appliance Repair
Get Your Maytag Dishwasher Sanitizing Again
Written Estimate First- Diagnostic Credited
- Real Warranty
- Based in Plano