Whirlpool Washer Locked And Won’t Turn ON [SOLVED]

Are you experiencing a Whirlpool Washer that is locked and will not turn on? This is a fairly common problem with the Whirlpool washer machine. We have a solution that lessens the number of trips to the repair shop.

No matter how much we like new washing machines, they do break down sometimes. There are a few things that can go wrong with your washing machine and when they do, you may notice your machine isn’t working properly or worse, not at all.

Whirlpool Washer Locked And Won’t Turn ON – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis

When your washing machine stops working, things can get pretty hectic. We want your Whirlpool washing machine to operate smoothly for as long as possible, which is why we provide an efficient solution for it.

If your Whirlpool Washer locks up, don’t force open the door. Look for one of the causes below and then fix it.

1. Control Lock Is Turned ON

Why is my Whirlpool washer locked? Control Lock is an optional setting that allows you to lock the start/pause and cycle buttons, as well as prevent any changes to the function of your Whirlpool washer. By locking these controls, you can help prevent accidental activation of any cycles or settings.

The most common reason is that the Control Lock button on the washer’s control panel has been accidentally activated. When Control Lock is enabled, all functions of the washer are disabled, so it will not turn on or off, or respond to any other buttons.

The process for deactivating the Control Lock on a Whirlpool washer is pretty easy. Simply press one key or a combination of keys to deactivate the lock.

There are various methods for deactivating the Lock Control feature on your Whirlpool washer. Refer to your user manual for the deactivation process for your particular model.

Once you have successfully deactivated Lock Control, LC or LoC will no longer be present on your washer’s control panel.

2. Reset The Washer

Unfortunately, Whirlpool washer can sometimes lock up.

Our engineers have found that all you need to do is unplug the washer, wait for 45 minutes, then plug it back in. After that, the machine’s programming should reset and you should be able to open the door.

This will reset the Whirlpool control panel and programing, which should re-open the door lock.

3. Water Is Still in the Drum

if the washer is still locked, then there is still water in the drum. On a front loader, you need to run a drain cycle to empty it. However, if there’s a blockage, you’ll need to drain it manually.

Don’t panic! On most front loader washers, there’s a small hatch right on the front that lets you access the drain hose.

4. Blocked Pressure Switch Hose

The pressure switch monitors water levels in the washer drum, turning off the motor when too much water is being used. But sometimes this mechanism sticks, making the pressure switch think there’s still water in the drum even when there isn’t.

If that happens, your washing machine won’t unlock.

This switch can be exposed to harmful lint and residue, causing it to malfunction and prevent the machine from draining properly. It is important that you clean your washer regularly, especially in areas surrounding the hose or where the main electrical components are located. You should also replace damaged hoses as soon as possible.

5. Manually Unlock The Whirlpool Washer

While your door is locked, try unlocking it with a flathead screwdriver. First, check over the door to ensure that the machine is not in a spin cycle.

If you are able to insert the screwdriver between the door and the washer, use it to turn the latch clockwise until it stops. This should unlock your door and allow you to open it.

6. Defective Lid Switch

Here’s how to fix the most common problem with your washing machine: a defective lid switch. When your washer door won’t close, that’s usually because the switch is faulty. Luckily, most of these switches are easily replaced and you can perform this repair yourself.

Let’s talk about how to fix a broken washer lid switch and striker.

Unplug the washer. In order to unplug a washing machine, you need to turn off the water and electricity. Simply turning the power off is not enough—otherwise you may end up with a shock when you touch the cable or make an electrical connection before turning it off.

If you are having a problem with your washing machine, the first thing to do is find the lid switch. Consult your manual if you’re unsure of how. After you find it, check that it is aligned correctly and isn’t loose.

If not, align it and then test if the problem has been solved. If it’s aligned correctly, you need to remove the switch from the washer so that you can test if it still is conducting electricity.

The Whirlpool washer door switch, which sits on the top of the washer, should be located when you take off the majority of the washer outer casing. Test this with a multimeter, and if you see continuity, the switch is working alright.

The next step is to put it back in place. If there is no continuity, you will need to replace the switch. Once replaced, check to see if the door lock now works. If not, move on to the next component.

7. Faulty Actuator Switch

The Whirlpool washer actuator motor is one of the most life-critical components on your appliance. If the components that drive the motors become damaged or worn, this can create all sorts of problems for both you and your washing machine.

If the wires that connect to these vital parts are loose or misshapen, your washer will be unable to open or close its door, which is a safety issue.

Before you test for a faulty washer actuator motor with a multimeter, the first thing you should do is turn on your washing machine and listen for a loud grinding noise coming from the actuator. If you can hear it, the motor is broken. You’ll need to replace it. If you don’t hear anything, unplug the machine and find the actuator motor (follow your manual).

Once you find it, make sure all the wires are attached securely. Then use a multimeter to test the continuity of the motor. If it has continuity, then the motor is working properly and you should move on to checking for faults in the drain pump. However, if there is no continuity when you test the motor, you’ll need to replace it.

8. Faulty Drain Pump

If your Whirpool washing machine’s door won’t unlock, there are a few possible causes for the problem. Your drain pump may be clogged or broken, or your washer may have lost power unexpectedly.

When any of these things happen, it could cause the door to lock up and remain locked, even though you can hear the rest of the machine running normally.

Here’s how to diagnose a Whirlpool washer pump:

Okay, so you want to make sure the power is still switched off to the washer before you go any further.

You’ll find this in your manual if you don’t know where it is already.

Locate the drain pump and ensure that the impellers can spin freely (like a fan). If not, this is a good sign that there is something wrong with the motor. Test the motor with a multimeter.

Test the Drain Pump Motor on the Whirlpool Washer. If there is already continuity in the circuit (measured with a multimeter), the pump motor is working correctly. If not, it will need to be replaced. Once you replace the pump motor and test to see if your issue has been solved, move on to the next step.

9. Defective Control Board

If you’re having trouble unlocking your washer door, this is most likely due to a defective main control board.

This can be very expensive and, depending on the age of your washer, may not be worth the repair.