How To Fix Whirlpool Washer Lid Lock?

I can understand how frustrating it feels when you want to get your laundry done as soon as possible, but you cannot open the washer’s lid. If you are in such a situation, you must know that you can fix it yourself.

You can fix the lid lock issue in your Whirlpool washer by checking the power supply. If the power supply is fine, inspect the internal parts like the lid lock assembly, lid switch, lid lock wiring, and control board. If any of these parts are faulty, you should replace them.

In this article, you will learn how to fix the lid lock of your Whirlpool washer in detailed steps after diagnosing the root cause. So, read till the end.

How to undo the lid lock on the whirlpool washer?

Whirlpool washer is trusted for its quality and efficient laundry experience.

But it’s common to experience issues in the washer in the long run. 

People experience Whirlpool washer lid lock issues at times.

Worry not if you are in the same situation dealing with a lid lock issue in your Whirlpool washer.

It is an easy fix you can do yourself with clear guidance and the necessary tools.

There may be faults in the internal parts of the washer, causing the lid lock issues in your washer. 

But before inspecting the faults in the internal parts of the washer, you can manually unlock the lid lock.

Here are some tips to unlock the lid of your whirlpool washer.

Some may or may not work for you, but you can try these fixes before you jump on the complex fix process.

1. The first thing you have to do after realizing that you cannot open the washer’s lid is to wait for a few seconds for the washer to stop the motor completely. Once the motor stops spinning, a control panel receives a sensor signal to unlock the washer’s lid. If you try opening the lid before the motor stops, you may face this issue.
2. What if you cannot open the washer’s lid, even after you wait for the washer to stop completely? In such a case, locate the control lock button on your washer. Press it for 3 seconds. Often, a door latch will unlock after you hear a clicking sound.
3. If your washer’s door is still locked, press the end of the cycle button for 3 seconds to let the washer unlock the lid. Doing this will reset your washer to unlock the lid. Now, try opening your washer’s door.
4. Even after following all three steps, if you cannot unlock the lid, try doing a hard reset. Unplug your Whirlpool washer and wait for 5 minutes and plug it back. Doing this simple reset often unlocks the lid issues in your washer.
5. If the lid lock issue persists, you can unlock it manually. To do so, access the metal strip at the bottom of the whirlpool washer, also called a toe panel. Remove it by unscrewing the screws holding it in place. Once you detach the toe panel, you can reach the washer’s top panel. The lid lock assembly is located near the top panel. Access the lid lock assembly and gently pull the lid lock with your hands. You will hear a sound, and now you can open your washer’s lid.

If the first four fixes are unsuccessful and you have manually opened the washer’s lid, you must inspect the washer’s internal parts.

8 easy steps to fix the Whirlpool washer lid lock issue

Here is clear guidance with 8 easy steps to fix the whirlpool washer lid issue.

There are 9 fixes mentioned below.

It doesn’t necessarily mean all these faults would have occurred in your washer. 

There may be one or two faults that have occurred in your washer.

You must inspect for faults and follow the steps to fix the issues effectively.

1. Diagnose the problem

As I mentioned above, you must start the fixing process by diagnosing the issue in your washer. 

Lid lock issues in the washer can result from various reasons.

If you figure out the cause initially, it would be easy to replace any faulty part. 

Starting the fixing process without an idea of the cause of the issue will cost you money and time. 

The good thing is nowadays, washing machines come with a diagnosing option.

You can turn on the diagnose mode on your washing machine to find the faults. 

If it doesn’t work, you can consult a professional to find the root cause of the lid lock issues in your washer.

2. Check the power supply

You can start the fixing process by checking if your whirlpool washing machine has a good power supply. 

Here are some possible ways to inspect the power supply to your washing machine:

• Check the wall electrical outlet: 

Inspect if the electrical outlet to which your washing machine is plugged has any issues in supplying the power. 

You can check its condition by plugging in the other appliances.

Nothing is wrong with the electrical outlet if they turn on and work well. 

If not, there may be issues; you can consult a professional to troubleshoot the issue.

• Check the power cord: 

It is well-known that the power cord carries electricity to the washing machine.

Check if the power cord is plugged in properly to the electrical outlet. 

Also, check if the wires are damaged.

In such a case, replace the power cord. 

• Check the circuit breaker: 

Locate the circuit breaker to which your Whirlpool washer is connected.

If the circuit breaker is tripped, it won’t supply power to the washing machine. 

If the circuit breaker is turned off, turn it back on. 

If there are loose wiring connections, consult a professional to troubleshoot the issue.

• Check the voltage: 

Unplug your whirlpool washing machine from the electric outlet to check the voltage supply using a multimeter. 

When testing the multimeter’s electrical outlet, the voltage supply must be between 110 to 120 v. 

If the voltage supply is low or exceeds the range, it may be due to faults in the power supply.

Consider consulting a professional to fix the issues if you have found any faults in the voltage supply.

• Inspect if there is a power surge in your area: 

You can call your service provider to check if there is any power surge in your area.

You can also check yourself with the voltage tester. 

If you want to know the exact power requirement of your washing machine, consider referring to the user manual.

Compare the values in the user manual and the power supply you have. 

If your washing machine is not getting a good power supply, your washing machine won’t start.

You may face lid-locking issues if a power supply interruption is interrupted mid-cycle. 

If you find faults in your power supply, seek help from a professional to fix the issue because doing the fix yourself is risky and also costs you time.

3. Inspect the lid lock assembly

If there are no issues in the power supply, check the lid lock assembly. 

The lid lock assembly is the door-locking mechanism that is the safeguarding feature found on every model of the whirlpool washing machine.

The main purpose of the lid lock assembly is to lock the washer’s door during the washing and spinning cycle to avoid injuries and hazards.

It also prevents the washing machine from functioning when the door is opened. 

A lid lock assembly comprises solenoids, a locking mechanism, and a switch. 

Altogether helps keep the lid of the washer locked during the washing or the spinning cycle. 

Especially solenoid is the electromagnet which activates when power is supplied.

This solenoid pulls the lock mechanism to lock the washer’s door. 

At the end of the washing cycle, the control board signals a solenoid to unlock the lid. 

If a lid lock assembly is faulty, you must replace it. 

Here is how you can replace the lid lock assembly in your whirlpool washer:

• Disconnect the power supply to your washer by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker if your washing machine is hard-wired.
• Locate the lid lock assembly. It is commonly found near the top panel. However, based on your whirlpool washer’s model, it may differ.
• Detach the washer’s top panel by removing the screws and securing it in place.
• After detaching it, you can find the lid lock assembly secure with the screws on the right side.
• Using a screwdriver, remove the screws securing the lid lock assembly. You can see wires attached to the lid lock assembly.
• Consider taking a digital photo of the wiring connection for future reference.
• Detach the lid lock assembly after disconnecting all the wire connections.
• Purchase the new lid lock assembly based on the model of your whirlpool washer.
• Replace the new lid lock assembly and attach all the wire connections by referring to the digital photo you took.
• Secure the lid lock assembly with the screw you removed earlier.
• Ensure that the lid lock assembly is properly aligned in the center and all the wire connections are secure.
• Replace the top panel and secure it with the screws.
• Plug in your whirlpool washer and run the best washing cycle. Check if the lid lock is solved. 

If the issue persists, try out the below fixes.

4. Inspect the lid lock wiring

If there is nothing wrong with the lid lock assembly, check the wiring connection between the lid lock assembly and the control board. 

Communication between the lid lock assembly and the control panel is only through these wiring connections. 

Lid lock issues will often occur if the wiring connections are loose or the wires are damaged. 

So, as a next step, check the wiring connections to solve the issue. 

Here is how you can inspect the wiring connections between the control panel and lid lock assembly:

• Unplug your whirlpool washing machine to avoid electrical hazards while operating.
• Turn off the water supply to the washer.
• To check the wiring issues between the control panel and lid lock assembly, you must access the main control board and the lid lock assembly.
• The lid lock assembly is near the washer’s door next to the top panel.
• Detach the top panel by unthreading the screws securing it.
• You can find the lid lock assembly on the washer’s right side. However, the position differs based on the model.
• Manually inspect if any wire near the lid lock assembly is damaged or becomes loose.
• Next, remove the control panel by unthreading the screws securing it.
• Access the main control board. Using a user manual, locate the wires in the control board connecting to the lid lock assembly.
• Inspect wires from both the control board and the lid lock assembly.
• Check the wires with a multimeter. If the reading shows no continuity, you must replace the wires.
• After replacing the faulty wires, reassemble the washing machine.
• Reattach the control panel and the top panel. Secure it with screws.
• Plug in the washer and turn on the water supply. Run the test washing cycle and check if the issue is solved. 

5. Clean the dirt and debris in the lid lock assembly

Another possible cause of the lid lock issue in the washer is an accumulation of dirt and debris in the lid lock assembly.

Sticky dirt and other foreign particles may prevent the door from unlocking.

It also causes issues locking the lid, and your washer may not start. 

You can fix this issue by cleaning the dirt and debris accumulation in the lid lock assembly. 

To clean the lid lock assembly:

1. Access it by detaching the top panel.
2. Remove the cover of the lid lock assembly by removing the screws.
3. Use a brush to remove any foreign particles being stuck. 

You can also use dry cotton clothes to clean any dirt in the lid lock assembly. 

Use a mild detergent to clean the exterior of the lid lock assembly.

After cleaning with the detergent, dry the assembly before attaching it to your washer. 

While attempting to clean the lid lock assembly, try to be gentle, as some parts may break if the applied force may damage the assembly.

6. Check if the lid lock is aligned

Lid locks may become misaligned due to the constant vibration in the washing machine. 

If the lid lock is misaligned, the washer may be stuck locked, or you cannot lock the lid. 

So, it is important to realign the lid lock with the assembly as soon as you experience lid lock issues in your Whirlpool washer. 

To do so, unplug the washer.

Access the lid lock assembly by removing the top or back panel based on the model of your washer. 

Using flat head screws move the lid lock forward or backward based on misalignment. 

After adjusting the lid lock, ensure that it is aligned with the lock mechanism of the washer.

Once the process ends, reassemble your Whirlpool washer and plug it into the electric outlet. 

Check if the issue is solved. Else, try the other fixes mentioned in the article.

7. Check the lid switch

A lid switch in the washing machine helps to prevent the machine from operating when the door is left open. 

The lid switch is activated when the door is closed, sending the signal to the control board to start the washing cycle.

A lid switch is also a safeguarding feature to prevent hazards while operating the washing machine. 

If the lid switch is faulty, it will cause lid-locking issues in the whirlpool washer. 

In such a case, you must replace the lid switch: 

You can follow the steps below to replace the lid switch in your washing machine:

• Begin by disconnecting the electric supply to your washing machine.
• Turn off the water supply by turning off the hot and cold valves.
• To access the lid switch, you need to open the control panel of your washing machine.
• Locate the control panel at the top of your washer and unthread the screws securing it.
• Flip the control panel to access its internal parts.
• You can find the lid switch on the left side of your control panel. However, the exact location may differ based on the model.
• You can see that the lid switch is connected to the main control board with a wire harness.
• Detach the wire harness from the main control board without damaging the wires.
• The lid switch will be secured with screws and locking clips. Unthread the screws and remove the locking tabs to detach the faulty lid switch.
• Replace the new lid switch and secure it with screws and locking tabs.
• Reconnect the lid switch wire harness to the main control board.
• Reattach the control panel and secure it with screws and bolts.
• Plug in the washer and turn on the water supply. Run the test wash cycle and check if the lid-locking issue is solved.

8. Check the control board

If you tried all the above fixes and the lid locking issue continues in your washer, it will be due to the faulty main control board. 

The control board is rarely the cause of the lid-locking issue in your washer.

And replacing it is quite expensive. 

So, let’s understand the function of the control board and why it is important to replace it when it becomes faulty. 

It is a well-known fact that the main control board is the brain of the washing machine, as it controls almost all the functions and operations. 

Control boards are designed to receive and send signals to various parts like the drum motor, water inlet valve, actuator motor, and drain pump. 

Another important function of the main control board is to send and receive signals from the temperature sensors to ensure that the right water temperature is allowed inside the washer during the washing and rinsing cycle. 

It also receives signals from the lid switch when the door is closed to start the new washing cycle. 

If the control panel is faulty, you must replace it.

It causes lid lock issues and many other issues in the washing machine. 

Here is how you can replace the control board from your whirlpool washing machine:

• Unplug the washer from the electric outlet or turn off the circuit breaker if it is hard-wired.
• You need to remove the control panel to access the main control board.
• Detach the control panel of the washer by unthreading the screws.
• Flip the control panel to work on the main control board.
• You can see a control board secured with four screws with many wire connections.
• Consider taking a digital photo of the control board wiring connection for reference.
• Disconnect all the wiring connections from the main control board.
• Unthread the screws securing the main control board and detach it completely.
• Replace it with the new control board and secure it with the screws you removed earlier.
• Re-reconnect all the wire connections to the control panel by referring to the photo.
• Reattach the control panel and unthread all the screws to secure it tightly.
• Plug in your washer and check if the issue is solved. 

These are the common causes of the lid lock issues in the whirlpool washer.

If your issues are not solved even after checking all the faults mentioned, there will be faults in the actuator motor and the drain pump. 

Seek help from the professionals to check if these two are faulty and replace them with their help, as it may become more complicated to do it yourself. 

It is important to note that all the steps mentioned to replace the specific faulty parts are the general steps that suit whirlpool washers.

However, the steps may vary based on the specific model of the whirlpool washer. 

You can consult a user manual to see what works for your washer.

Final thoughts

Whirlpool washer is the best-known brand and gained people’s trust in delivering quality products. If you brought the whirlpool washer with such trust and now you are frustrated with the lid locking issue, you must remember it is common, and you are not alone. 

It is a normal issue; you can fix it yourself. To fix the issue, you must start by finding the cause of the issue. The common causes include faulty lid lock assembly, lid switch, power supply issues, and lid lock wiring issues. 

It occurs due to a specific faulty part. You can replace the part to solve the issue in such a case. All the common causes and detailed steps are mentioned in the article. Follow the detailed guidance to fix the issue. 

If you tried and couldn’t fix the issue by yourself, it is advised to seek help from a professional.

Related articles:

• Can You Put Detergent Directly On Clothes? (+The Correct Way)
• Can You Run A Washing Machine With A Generator?
• 6 Ways To Fix Loose Drum In Washing Machine
• 6 Reasons Your Washer Shake Really Bad (+Fix)
• 6 Reasons Your Washing Machine Makes Loud Noise At End Of Spin Cycle
• 6 Reasons Your Whirlpool Washer Stops At Spin Cycle (+fix)
• How To Fix Whirlpool Washer Lid Lock Clicking?

---

Reference: Whirlpool Official user manual, Whirlpool Frontload manual.

Sharing is caring!