Make sure the Washer is paused (press the Start/Pause button). During the spin cycle, this can take up to 3 minutes for the basket to stop spinning and allow you to open the lid. Unplug the Washer for a minute to reset the appliance.
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.
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 the Washer is running, press the START/PAUSE button once it will pause the Washer and unlock the door. It will take a few seconds for the door to unlock after pressing PAUSE. Press again to restart the wash cycle. In some cycles the Washer will drain first, and then unlock the door when it is paused.
Fix: Try resetting the machine by unplugging it from the power source for a few minutes, then plugging it back in. This might reset the control board and release the door lock. If the problem persists, contacting a technician for further diagnosis might be necessary.
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.
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.
Make sure the Washer is paused (press the Start/Pause button). During the spin cycle, this can take up to 3 minutes for the basket to stop spinning and allow you to open the lid. Unplug the Washer for a minute to reset the appliance.
Locate and clean your door lock to remove any films or debris that may have built up. It is usually located along the frame of the washing machine, under the lid. If cleaning it does not resolve the issue, remove the door lock from the appliance to inspect it for damage, cracking or wear.
Some washers have lid locks that are heat activated. So before diving into further steps, wait 15 minutes after the wash cycle has completed to let the machine cool. If the lid still won't unlock, then you may have a bigger issue. If in doubt, make sure to call a GE appliance repair professional.
Turn off the machine for 5-10 minutes and try opening it again: This method works in most cases when the door lock is stuck. Turning off the machine for a few minutes gives it time to reset and release the door lock. After a few minutes, try opening the door again.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check the latch mechanism: The first step in fixing a washer door that won't lock is to check the latch mechanism. If the latch mechanism is broken or jammed, it will need to be replaced. Adjust the door strike: If the door strike is out of alignment, it can be adjusted.
On a Front Load Washer or the UltraFast Combo Washer/Dryer, press and hold either the Control Lock or Light-Control Lock pad for 3 seconds to lock or unlock the controls. Some older Front Load Washer models simply had a Lock button. You press and hold the Lock button for 3 seconds to use the feature.