Why is my washing machine lid not locked?

Author: Mr. Guido Fahey II  |  Last update: Thursday, January 15, 2026

If the washing machine's lid strike or door strike does not line up with the lock or latch when you attempt to close the lid or door, it's likely the lid hinge or door hinge is bent or misaligned. This can prevent the door or lid from locking. Inspect the hinge for damage and replace if necessary.

What to do if the washing machine door won't lock?

Try unplugging the washer for 5 minutes and the lock should unlock if it's stuck in the lock positon. If not, then you just need a new door latch assembly. (assuming your door is not bent down and the door striker isn't hitting the door). If your door is bent, pull up on it and bend the door hinge back up.

How do I reset my washing machine lock top loader?

Reset the washer door lock

Unplug the washer: Unplug the washer from the power source. 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.

When should the lid lock on a washing machine?

Starting in the year 2015, Top-Load Washers feature a lid lock that engages when the Washer is either load-sensing before and during the water fill portion of the cycle or when it is spinning above 50 RPM. You cannot set the Washer to lock the lid for the entire wash cycle.

Why won't my Whirlpool washer lid lock?

Most likely the lid lock assembly has failed and will need to be replaced. If the striker on the lid that engages the latch is intact, then I would be looking at the lock assembly, I have replaced many of these for this issue.

Maytag Washer Repair - Lid Will Not Unlock - Lid Lock

How do you reset the door lock on a Whirlpool washing machine?

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.

How long does it take for a washing machine to lock?

Most washing machines use a thermal lock that releases the door two minutes after a cycle is complete.

Can I bypass the lid lock on my Whirlpool washer?

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.

How do I manually reset my washing machine?

1. Unplug the washing machine: First, unplug the machine from its wall outlet. 2. Reconnecting: After about a minute, replug the machine into the wall outlet, which will restart the washing machine.

Can you turn off the lid lock on a washer?

The lid lock can not be disabled on the machine, since the computer needs to check the lock function. It locks it, then unlocks it then relocks it for function so there is no way to bypass it since it will fail a lock check and then not work if you have it bypassed.

How do I reset the lid lock on my washing machine?

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.

How to fix a door lock that won't lock?

How to Fix a Door That Won't Latch
  1. Inspect.
  2. Gather Tools.
  3. Tighten Hinges.
  4. Shim the Hinges.
  5. Sand the Jambs.
  6. Enlarge the Strike Plate Hole.
  7. Move the Strike Plate.

Why won't my GE washer lid lock?

The most common reasons your GE washer lid won't lock are a broken lid lock assembly, a defective lid switch, or a malfunctioning PCB.

Will unplugging a washer unlock the door?

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.

Will the washer work if the door lock is broken?

If your door lock is malfunctioning, it can lead to issues with the control board not detecting a locked and sealed door, so your washer won't start.

How to fix a washer that won't lock?

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.

Why is my Whirlpool washer lid not locking?

If the washing machine's lid strike does not line up with the lock or latch when you attempt to close the lid, it's likely the lid hinge is bent or misaligned. This can prevent the lid from locking. Inspect the hinge for damage and replace if necessary.

How to unlock a lid in a whirlpool washer?

The first thing to try is pressing the “control lock” button for three seconds. After the three seconds have passed, the door should unlock allowing you to open it. If the control lock button doesn't work, next is to try the “end of cycle” button if your machine has that option.

How do I reset my washing machine?

Turn the machine off at the powerpoint, wait for one minute, and then turn it back on. If you see no change, you can try a Master Reset. This will reset all of the onboard componentry and is often successfully used by appliance technicians. Open and close the door of the washing machine 6 times within 12 seconds.

Why is my Whirlpool washer door locked not working?

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.

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