The control lock on a dishwasher is intended to "lock" the control from unintended use. It can be used while the dishwasher is operating or not. This is perfect for households with children who like to touch buttons so the dishwasher cannot be turned on accidentally or turned off when running.
To remove the control lock on your dishwasher, press and hold the ``Air Dry'' button for 5 seconds. That should remove the control lock. If it's not working, try to flip the breaker off to the dishwasher for 5 minutes and see if the electronics will reset. Then hold the Air Dry button again for 5 seconds.
1-199: the number of minutes left in a cycle. L0-L6: the level of rinse aid dosage on some models. CL or Close the door: reminds you the door need to be closed to start the cycle. LOC: indicates the door is locked.
Attempt a natural fix – you could pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar into the standing water at the bottom of your dishwasher, then leave it for about 20 minutes. If the mixture has started draining, rinse it with some hot water and run the dishwasher's rinse cycle.
Make sure the dishwasher is in Standby mode (no cycle running). Press the "Heated Dry," and "Normal," buttons one after the other, twice. After entering the correct button sequence, the control panel should light up as the dishwasher begins the reset.
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.
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.
The control lock light will stay on for a short time, indicating that it is activated and all buttons are disabled. If any buttons are pressed while the dishwasher control is locked, the light will flash three times. The door can still be opened/closed while the controls are locked.
Turn off your dishwasher – To do this, you can either press the “Off” button, unplug the machine, or flip the circuit breaker.
The Control Lock function will lock all buttons except for the POWER button, in order to prevent children from playing with the dishwasher. You will need to disable Control Lock so you can use your dishwasher's buttons and cycles again. If you cannot disable Control Lock, you can also try resetting your dishwasher.
If your dishwasher isn't starting, it could be that the dishwasher's control keys are locked, the dishwasher could be in demo mode or the door switch isn't working as it should. First, push in firmly on the front of the door near the top to make sure it's shut tight.
This can be done by using a flathead screwdriver to unclip the panel, allowing it to be pulled off. Next, reach up through the panel area and find the door latch. Once located, find the tear-drop shaped tab on the door latch and pull it. You should hear a clicking sound and the door should be able to be opened.
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.
Most common problems with Whirlpool dishwashers
The dishwasher does not drain properly. The detergent cup is not working properly. The dishwasher is not filling with water. The dishwasher door is leaking.
How can you tell if your dishwasher is clogged? If it's not draining very well or if an inch or more of standing water consistently collects in the bottom of the tub, you likely have a clogged dishwasher.
Press and hold the cancel button for at least three seconds—or the amount indicated—to activate the draining mechanism. Once the drainage sound completes, and your dishwasher shuts off, check the inside of the unit for standing water.
Occasionally, a dishwasher may have standing water remaining if the cycle has been interrupted before the draining process has been completed. Excessive standing water that fills the bottom of your dishwasher after a complete wash cycle is likely due to a clog in the drain or nearby garbage disposal.