It may take up to five minutes for the washer to stop spinning and draining before the door will unlock. You will hear the door click when it unlocks.
Please remember, most washing machines require up to 2 mins for the door to release open once the cycle has finished. Attempting to open the door or simply forgetting this simple fact may result in breaking the handle.
Unlock the Lid
Depending upon the speed at which the Washer is spinning when it is paused (and depending on the size of the load being washed), it can take as long as 3 minutes to coast to a stop and then unlock.
One reason is timing. Sometimes, the locks can take time to release as they need to cool down. Wait some time and come back to check if your door has unlocked after a few minutes – you should be able to hear the locks open when the laundry cycle is done.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Perform a Reset: Turn off the washing machine and unplug it from the power source. Wait for about 10 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on. This can sometimes reset the machine and release the door lock. Manually Drain the Machine: If there is water remaining in the drum, you may need to manually drain it.
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.
Reach down into the right lower front of the washer, where you will find the door lock assembly. Pull the lock release tab on top of the door lock upwards to manually unlock and open the door.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Timed or thermal lock: Most washing machines have timed or thermal locks that won't let you open the door for a couple of minutes after a program has finished. This is normal, so be patient.
Turning off the machine at the mains should allow the door lock to cool down, and after a few minutes, you'll be able to open the washing machine door. The interlocks can take some time to release at the end of the cycle, so be patient. The most common cause is water left in the machine. Try running a spin/drain cycle.
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.