Whirlpool Washer Stuck On Lock? Easy Fix

Whirlpool washing machine is an extremely beneficial investment that you may purchase as it is best suited in multiple ways to be used at your home. The Whirlpool washer is a high-quality, highly durable, and efficient washer designed to be reliable to customers. However, there are certain errors or issues that you might face, even with Whirlpool washers. We will explain the causes and easy fixes behind this issue in this article below so make sure to sit back and carefully read through our guide.

One such issue is the Whirlpool washer getting stuck on Lock time and time again. This can get frustrating if the problem persists without any solution, but do not worry! Our article is here to guide you through a series of simple, brief, and easy-to-follow steps. 

Some quick ways to fix this problem would be to try and reset the washer so that you can stop the current wash cycle to unlock the door. Alternatively, you could also try manually unlocking the door. Other solutions range from replacing defective components of the washer to inspecting the control board. The different fixes depend on the fault and where it is occurring. 

Why Is Your Whirlpool Washer Stuck On Lock?

Your whirlpool washer comes equipped with a safety system that does the job of locking the door during a wash cycle so that the door does not burst open in the middle of the process. In case there are some issues in the locking mechanism, it may cause some problems and that could be the reason behind your Whirlpool washer being stuck on the lock. This means that when the wash cycle is over, you may be unable to unlock the door.

Try pressing and holding the unlock button. If that doesn’t work, unplug it and leave it overnight. That may help to reset it.

If the above fix doesn’t work then we need to troubleshoot this problem, read further to identify the different causes, and follow the solution accordingly. 

1) Reset The Washer

This is the first step you can follow if your Whirlpool washer is stuck on lock.  Firstly, check if the washer is currently performing a wash cycle. When you have checked that there is no wash cycle at the moment, you can proceed by holding down the ‘start’ or ‘control lock’ button for 5 to 10 seconds. This shall pause the cycle to unlock the door. If your whirlpool washer is still stuck on the lock, then press the ‘end of cycle’ button.

If this happens, you can try an alternate method by resetting the control board to allow a new wash cycle. This can be done by unplugging the washer from the power source and waiting for a good thirty minutes before replugging it.

2) Unlock The Door Manually 

You can also solve the problem of your Whirlpool washer being sucked on the lock by manually unlocking the door. To do this follow these steps:

1. Ensure there is no water in the tubs from before 
2. Unplug the washer from the power source for safety reasons
3. Use a screwdriver to remove the toe panel and release any clips if you want to access the door latch mechanism
4. Pull the door release handle to unlock the door of the washer
5. When the door is released, there will be a clicking sound confirming that the door is unlocked.

3) Assess The Lid And Switch Assembly.

The third fix you can try when your Whirlpool washer is stuck on the lock is to examine the lid switch and the door lock assembly for any technical failure. In case the switches are faulty, it may seem like it is working but this is the cause behind your door not unlocking. To confirm whether the switch is working or not, you can use a multimeter to check for the continuity of the readings. If the readings are wrong, it is time to replace the switch. 

4) Examine The Filter 

Sometimes the reason behind your whirlpool washer being stuck on the lock is a blocked filter. It may not be this obvious but if there are signals of the filter showing error because of blockages, it may cause the door to remain unlocked. To fix this, gently clean the filter using a soft brush to remove any clogged particles or debris. If the filter is damaged or old, get it replaced.

5) Check The Door Latch

It is important to ensure that the door latch is engaged with the strike such that nothing is blocking the mechanism. If, for any reason, the latch or the strike is faulty or damaged it is best to replace it as soon as possible to avoid your Whirlpool washer getting stuck on lock. Make sure to keep checking on the latch and strike regularly to avoid any defects. 

6) Faulty Actuator Motor.

One major reason why your whirlpool washer is stuck on the lock is a defective actuator motor. This problem could cause disruptions in the communication between the washer and other components of the machine. The defects usually arise due to loose wirings and connections which lead to the actuator motor failing and causing the door to remain unlocked. To fix this, get your actuator motor examined for any issues, if the fault is permanent, you may need to get it replaced.

9) Blocked Drain Pump.

The next thing to check for is your Whirlpool washer’s drain pump. If the drain pump is blocked by any obstruction, it may be what is causing your Whirlpool washer to be stuck on the lock. To tackle this, examine your drain pump for any physical damage or electrical issues. Make sure to also check the drain filter to remove any objects that may be clogging and causing a blockage. 

10) Analyze The Control Board

One of the last things you can opt for is to inspect and study the control board of the Whirlpool washer. This is the most important core component of the machine so it is required to look for any signs of wear and tear, burn signs, or loose wirings which may be causing your whirlpool washer to be stuck on lock. If the damage can not be reversed, you may have to get the control board replaced entirely which can be expensive. 

Conclusion:

Above are some of the various ways you could solve the problem of your whirlpool washer being stuck on the lock. We hope that the above fixes were easy to understand so that you can follow them in the blink of an eye in the comfort of your home. In case the problem persists, try going through the user manual to make sure you have understood everything correctly. Additionally, you can approach Whirlpool customer service for professional repair of your washer.