How do you reset a Whirlpool washer stuck on lid lock?

Author: Dr. Dahlia Rogahn III  |  Last update: Thursday, September 18, 2025

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 do I reset the lid lock on my whirlpool washer?

Cycle power to the control to reset the washer:

If your washer is plugged into an outlet, simply unplug the unit for one minute and then plug the unit back in.

How do you reset a whirlpool washer stuck on lock?

So the first thing you'll want to do is just unplug the washer for 60 seconds and see if the latch will reset. If that doesn't work, plug the washer back in and leave the washer plugged in for 20 minutes and it should unlock.

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?

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 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 I manually reset my washing machine top loader?

Unplug the washer for 1 minute from the electrical outlet. Plug the washer back in and lift and lower the lid 6 times within a 12 second period. You have 30 seconds to start lifting and lowering the lid. The lid must be raised a minimum of 2" to ensure the magnetic connection on the lid is interrupted.

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.

How do you reset a locked washing machine?

If the plug is difficult to reach, or is hard-wired to the power supply, shut it off at the breaker. 2. Wait for a minute: Wait for 1-5 minutes before plugging the washer back in to reset the internal systems. This allows any residual power to clear and can help reset the door lock mechanism.

Why is the lid lock light flashing on my Whirlpool top load washer?

The Lid Lock Light will flash if: Lid Lock has not moved into the Lock Position. The Lock Motor can not be powered. The lid is not closed completely due to interference.

Why is my Whirlpool washer stuck in lock mode?

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.

How do I turn off the lid lock on my washer?

The lid lock mechanisms on some washers are heat-activated, which means overriding them is as simple as letting them cool off. Let the washer sit unplugged for about 10 minutes, then try lifting the lid. If it opens, you're all set.

Why wont my control lock turn off on my Whirlpool washing machine?

The most common reasons your Whirlpool washer control lock won't turn off are a defective control panel, malfunctioning electronic control board, or a failed door switch.

How to release lid lock on 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.

How to hard reset a whirlpool washer?

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.

Can you manually unlock washer?

If you touch or press the door handle, you should see the door hook moving and releasing. Here, you can use a screwdriver to move the tip and manually open the door from the inside. And there you have it! How to open a stuck washing machine door.

How to unlock a Whirlpool washing machine?

Push the Start/Stop button to unlock the washer door during the spin cycle. Pause the machine by quickly pressing the Start/Stop button once. After a few seconds, the washer will halt and you'll hear the door unlocking. Add any extra garments into the washing drum at this time, if necessary.

Does unplugging a washer reset it?

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.

Why won't my Whirlpool top load washer start the cycle?

The most common reasons your Whirlpool washer won't start cycle are a malfunctioning electronic control board, jammed door lock assembly or a faulty user interface.

Why is my washing machine stuck on locked?

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.

How do you remove a stuck lock washer?

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. If you remove a split washer, place the screwdriver head under the washer or inside the split.

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