Maytag Washer PF Error — Power Failure Restart Fix

What it means

Maytag washer PF is the Power Failure code.
Maytag's exact wording: 'A PF (Power Failure) error code indicates that the wash cycle was interrupted by a power failure.'
The fix is the simplest of any code on the Maytag washer list: hold START to resume from where the cycle stopped, or press POWER to clear and start fresh.

Affected Models

Maytag Bravos and Bravos XL top-load washers (MVWB, MVWX series)
Maytag Centennial top-load washers (MVWC series)
Maytag Maxima front-load washers (MHW series)
Maytag Commercial-Grade top-load washers (MVW series)
Same codes appear on Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Amana washers (shared platform)

Common Causes

Brief household power outage during a wash cycle
Breaker tripped on the washer's dedicated circuit and was reset
Power strip switched off or unplugged mid-cycle
Voltage dip from a major appliance (HVAC, electric oven) starting on the same circuit
Plug worked loose from the outlet (rare; usually a one-time event)

How to Fix It

Touch and hold START to resume.

Maytag's exact instruction: 'Touch and hold START to restart the washer cycle.'
Press and hold the START button for about 3 seconds.
The washer picks up the cycle from where it stopped — wet clothes don't need to start the wash from the beginning.
Or press POWER to clear.

Maytag: 'press POWER to clear the display.'
If you'd rather restart with a fresh cycle (or if the wash was nearly done and you'd prefer to just drain and spin), press POWER.
The display clears and you can select any cycle from the pad.
Check for repeat outages.

If PF appears multiple times in a single day, the household power is interrupting more than once.
Check that the washer plug is fully seated in the outlet, that no other large appliance is tripping the breaker, and that the breaker for the washer's circuit isn't loose.
Schedule service for repeating PF with no outage.

If you're certain there has been NO power interruption and PF still appears spontaneously, the internal control may be reading a momentary voltage dip as a full outage.
This is a service call — the control would need diagnostic to confirm.

When to Call a Professional

PF clears with a button press.
Only schedule service if PF appears repeatedly with no actual power interruption — that would point at an internal control issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

My power didn't go out but I'm seeing PF — what's happening?

Something on the same circuit briefly drew enough current to dip the voltage seen by the washer.
Common culprits: a microwave starting, an electric oven kicking on, a large HVAC unit starting up, or a hair dryer on a shared bathroom circuit.
If the dip lasts even a fraction of a second, the washer's control sees it as a full power failure and logs PF on recovery.
Holding START gets you back on track, but if it keeps happening, ask an electrician to check whether the washer should be on its own dedicated circuit.