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.
Unplug the washer and remove the bottom front service panel. You can then carefully reach up along the inside of the front panel and pull down on the manual release tab that is on the bottom of the door lock assembly and open the washer 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 it still won't work, then unplug the washer and remove the screws coming in from the back of the top panel. The top panel will then pull straight back, up, and off. Now you can reach down to the bottom of the door latch where there is a 1" round plastic tab. Pull on this tab to manually unlock the door.
Normally waiting for the cycle to end is all you need to do to unlock the door, or turn your washer on if it's off. If you get stuck, though, you can drain the water from front load washers using the emergency drain hose; once the water is gone, the door will unlock.
Lock washers offer secure connections that can be removed or separated more easily than welded connections. To remove a lock washer, use a wrench or a similar tool to remove the nut or threaded fastener that holds the lock washer in place. Next, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the lock washer loose.
Leave it unplugged for a few minutes to allow any residual power to dissipate. Then, plug it back in and try opening the door. If the control panel continues to malfunction or the door remains locked, consult the manufacturer's manual or contact a professional technician for further assistance.
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.
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. Straighten the drain hoses.
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.
Washer Control Reset
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.
On a Top Load Washer, depending on the model, to Lock or Unlock the washer controls, you press and hold either the Warm Rinse and Auto Soak buttons for 3 seconds or the Rinse and Spin buttons for 3 seconds.
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.
Water left in the machine is also a common cause of a locked washing machine door. Running a spin/drain cycle can often fix this issue, but if it fails, the machine may need to be drained manually. The door catch, handle, or some part of the door catch mechanism may be broken, preventing the door from opening.
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.
First, try keeping the machine turned off for five minutes, then try opening the door again. If this doesn't fix the issue, you can gently strike the door over the area where the lock is with the palm of your hand. This can sometimes activate and release the 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.