How do I reset the lid lock on my Whirlpool washer?

Author: Yasmine Morar  |  Last update: Saturday, November 1, 2025

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.

How do you reset the door lock on a Whirlpool washing machine?

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Issue
  1. Step 1: Unplug the Washer. The first and simplest step is to unplug the washer. ...
  2. Step 2: Wait and Replug. If unplugging the washer for 60 seconds doesn't work, try this: plug the washer back in and leave it for about 20 minutes. ...
  3. Step 3: Manual Latch Reset. ...
  4. Step 4: Replace the Door Latch.

How do I reset the lid lock on my washing machine top?

  • Turn off the Washer and unplug the appliance
  • Locate the retaining tabs and/or screws that hold the top horizontal panel down
  • Look for the Lid Lock SWITCH on the underside of the top panel and where it fits into the appliance.
  • Put the Lid back down and plug the Washing Machine back into the electrical outlet.

Why is my washer stuck on the lid lock?

typically the lid remains locked when its either a bad lid lock, the drain pump thinking there is still water inside of the unit, or a bad control board needing replaced.

How do you reset a whirlpool washer stuck on the lid lock?

This is the classic “turn it off and back on again” method. To do this, unplug your washer and leave it for about an hour. After an hour, plug your washer back in and turn it on. If you still can't open the door or lid after this, you will need to manually unlock the washer.

How to Do a Whirlpool Washer Reset & Recalibration

How do I get my washing machine out of lock mode?

Turn the washing machine off and unplug it.

Then, unplug the machine and wait 5-10 minutes. Try pulling the handle again to see if the door opens. Some locks automatically flip into the unlocked position after 5-10 minutes so that you can get your clothes during a power outage.

How do you unlock the lid on a Whirlpool washer?

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.

Can I bypass the lid lock on my Whirlpool washer?

Access the lid lock switch by unplugging your washer from the wall and turning off the water. Press a magnet against the lid lock mechanism for a quick, easy way to bypass the lid lock. Cut the 1st and 3rd wire (or 1st and 4th wire if there are 4 wires) that attach to the lid lock to permanently bypass it.

Will unplugging washer unlock lid?

If the power is removed, the lock should open automatically because it is spring-loaded. If there is no power to your washer and the lid is locked, your washer has malfunctioned. You will need to service to find the fault and get it repaired.

How much does it cost to repair a lid lock on a washing machine?

Washer lid switch repair costs $100 to $300 on average to replace the lid-lock and switch assembly. The door latch costs $20 to $130 for the part alone, depending on the model. Most washing machine door-lock repairs take 20 to 30 minutes. Top-load washers run without spinning or draining when the lid switch breaks.

What do you do when your Whirlpool washer won't lock?

If the washer door or lid won't lock, the control board may be defective. However, this is rarely the case. Before replacing the control board, first check all of the components of the lock mechanism. If none of these parts are defective, consider replacing the control board.

What does F5 and E3 mean on my Whirlpool washer?

The F5 E3 error code indicates that there is an issue with the lid lock on top load Whirlpool washers, or the door lock on front load washers. For top load washers, it specifically means that the lid is failing to unlock as expected.

How do I reset the lid switch on my Whirlpool washer?

To reset the washer control panel, it needs to be disconnected from the power source for one minute.

Why is my washer stuck on lid locked?

If the door or lid won't open at the end of the cycle, then the lock mechanism may be at fault. 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.

How to reset Whirlpool washer door lock?

Press the “Control Lock” button on your Whirlpool washer for three seconds. After three seconds, you should be able to open the door. If the door still doesn't open, press the “End of Cycle” button (if your washing machine has one) for five seconds.

Will unplugging a Whirlpool washer reset it?

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.

How do I reset my top load washer?

Similar to front load washers, you can use these simple steps to help reset a top load washer:
  1. Unplug the washer.
  2. Wait a few minutes. This allows residual power to clear to help prevent glitches.
  3. Plug your washer back in.

What is the most common problem with Whirlpool washers?

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.

Will unplugging a washing machine unlock it?

If the cycle has finished and the door is still locked, it may be due to a power outage or a fault in the machine's electrical system. In this case, try unplugging the machine and waiting for a few minutes before plugging it back in.

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