Brand:Maytag Model Number:MED7230HW Main Symptom: New control panel not working What happens & when: New control panel replaced and power to dryer is restored at breaker box. Control panel flashes “Factory (4/5): Connecting to WiFi.” Then in a moment, “Factory: WiFi retrying (2)” and then continues to loop that message for as long as there is power to the dryer. All other buttons on control panel do not operate: On/Off, Pause, various selection buttons nor the Selection Dial! Nothing! I have to disconnect it at the electrical panel box to shut it down. This dryer also has a water hookup on the back; is it necessary to have it connected for the dryer to dry clothes? It know it’s for a ‘steam’ feature.
Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried:
Photos / video link:
That display is the key clue. The dryer is stuck in a factory setup/programming mode, not simply having trouble connecting to the customer’s home Wi-Fi. The fact that none of the controls respond while it continuously displays “Factory (4/5): Connecting to WiFi” strongly points to the replacement console/UI not completing its factory commissioning.
Maytag confirms that the MED7230HW does not require Wi-Fi to operate normally, so failure to connect to a home network should not make the dryer unusable.
What I would check first
1. Kill power at the breaker for 5–10 minutes.
While power is OFF, access the console and reseat every connector going to the new control panel. Pay particular attention to the communication connection between the console/UI and the main machine control.
Look for:
Connector not fully seated
Bent or pushed-back terminal
Harness pinched during installation
Connector accidentally installed one position off
Wrong replacement console/control for the exact model and serial number
Then restore power.
2. If it immediately returns to “Factory (4/5)”, I would not chase the house Wi-Fi.
The replacement UI is apparently trying to finish the factory commissioning sequence and isn’t getting through it. Since this started immediately after replacing the control panel, my first suspicion would be the replacement panel itself—particularly an incorrect, unprogrammed, or improperly configured service part—or a communication problem between it and the ACU/main control.
I would verify the part number printed on the new control panel against the original part and the MED7230HW’s complete model/serial information before replacing anything else.
Important distinction
I would not replace the main control board yet just because the new panel won’t operate.
If the old panel operated the machine and installing the new panel produced the Factory/Wi-Fi screen, the new panel/configuration is the much stronger suspect. The dryer normally doesn’t need an active Wi-Fi connection just to run cycles.
About the water connection
No—you do not need the water hookup for ordinary drying.
The water supply is for features that actually use water, including Steam Refresh, Wrinkle Prevent with Steam, and Reduce Static. Maytag specifically confirms that the MED7230HW can be operated without the water connection if you aren’t using its steam features.
So the missing water connection has nothing to do with the Factory/Wi-Fi problem.
If you give me the part number from the old control panel and the part number printed on the new one, I can check whether the correct console was installed and narrow down whether this needs programming or a different part.