If the door doesn't open as it should after the cycle has ended, the next step is to hold the “control lock” button down for 3 seconds. You should be able to hear an unlatching sound followed by being able to open the door.
First, try to unplug the washer for 5 minutes or flip the breaker off to the washer for 5 minutes to see if the electronics will reset. If that doesn't work, press and hold the start button for 5 seconds to try to reset the controls and unlock the lid.
If unplugging the washer for 60 seconds doesn't work, try this: plug the washer back in and leave it for about 20 minutes. This gives the machine time to complete any unfinished cycles and unlock the door.
So the first thing you want to do is unplug the washer for 60 seconds and plug it back in to see if the latch will reset. If that doesn't work, listen closely and if you hear a motor running/humming--just leave the washer plugged in for 20 minutes and the washer should reset on it's own and unlock.
If you need to open the lid, press and hold START/PAUSE. The lid will unlock 1 minute after the washer movement has stopped. This may take several minutes if the load was spinning at high speed. Press the START/PAUSE button again to restart the cycle.
Unplug the machine and wait a few minutes. Most doors will open once the power is off and the temperature cools off. Try knocking gently on the handle or pressing the pause/start button. Loop fishing line around the locked door and pull away from the door to manually unlock the locking mechanism.
The most likely cause is an inoperative drain pump, or a clogged debris filter. If your washer has water inside the Drum, the door will not open to prevent a flood. If you are using to sanitize the cycle and the water is extremely hot, the door will not open to prevent injury.
To reset the electronic controls on your washer, shut off the circuit breaker or fuse to the washer or unplug the washer for 2 minutes. For models that have a timer control knob, turn the knob around and back to any position other than final spin for the interrupted cycle. Then, restore power.
To fix a stuck key, apply a lubricant such as graphite powder or a silicone-based spray to the keyhole. Gently wiggle the key while pulling it out. If this doesn't work, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to grip the key and carefully work it out.
A start button on your washer's control panel not working despite the rest of the lights coming on is the most common Whirlpool washer issue you will encounter. Taking off the control panel to try and find the cause will let you see if the solution can be DIYed, or a professional needs to be called.
Troubleshooting a Locked Whirlpool Washer
Press the "control lock" button for three seconds. The door should unlock. If the control lock button doesn't work, try the "end of cycle" button to reset the washer. If the above steps fail, completely reset the machine by unplugging it for an hour.
If you want to try resolving issues with your washing machine, such as power surges or error codes, it's possible you might need to perform a quick reset. One way you can reset a washer is by unplugging the unit for at least one minute, then plugging it back in and restarting the appliance.
Sometimes, when using the machine, people accidentally hit the control lock or delay start button. Try opening and closing the washing machine door, and then try another cycle. If that doesn't work, you may want to completely restart and reset the wash cycle.
To reset the washer's control panel:
If your washer is plugged into an outlet, simply unplug the unit for one minute and then plug the unit back in. If the washer is hard-wired to the power supply, turn the breaker off at the home electrical panel that powers the washer for one minute and then turn the breaker back on.
Most washers will have a manual release to unlock the mechanism and allow you to open the door or lid. The release is normally accessible from below the door lock, or on some models, from inside the soap dispenser housing.
Power Off/On: Turning off the machine and unplugging it for a few minutes, then plugging it back in and restarting it, could reset the machine and unlock the door.
The most common cause is water left in the machine. Try running a spin/drain cycle. If this fails, the machine can be drained by placing the washing machine drain hose lower than the drum (into a bucket or tray). The door interlock has simply jammed.
Perform a Reset: Turn off the washing machine and unplug it from the power source. Wait for about 10 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on. This can sometimes reset the machine and release the door lock. Manually Drain the Machine: If there is water remaining in the drum, you may need to manually drain it.