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.
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 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.
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.
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.
The most common cause of a Whirlpool washer door being locked and not being able to open is a faulty lid switch (including the striker). The door switch locks and unlocks your door depending on which stage your wash cycle is at. When it becomes defective, your washer door may not unlock when it's supposed to.
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.
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 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.
For front-load washers, you may need to perform a master reset. This involves unplugging the washer, waiting for one minute, and then plugging it back in.
Make sure that the drain hose is not kinked or clogged. Straighten the hose for adequate water flow. Remove any blockage from the drain hose, drainpipe, or utility sink. Use the U-shaped drain hose form on the drain hose, and secure the drain hose.
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.
To reset the washer control panel, it needs to be disconnected from the power source for one minute. If your washer is plugged into an outlet, simply unplug the unit for one minute and then plug the unit back in.
There are several reasons why your Whirlpool washing machine door locked light might be flashing: Water Fill Delay: The washer may take too long to fill with water, triggering a safety lock to prevent flooding. Electronic Glitch: A minor glitch in the washer's electronics can cause the door lock light to flash.
Overriding the Locking Mechanism with a Magnet
Placing a separate magnet there will create a stable electromagnetic connection with the solenoid and “trick” the machine into thinking that the lid is closed when it's really open. Any type of small magnet should do the trick.
Inspect the lid switch
The most likely culprit when your Whirlpool washer door can't open is a faulty lid switch. The lid switch has a striker that needs to work correctly for the door to be able to be opened at the end of a cycle. When it becomes faulty, the door might stay locked and you won't be able to open it.