How Do You Unlock A Whirlpool Duet Washer? Everything You Need To Know!

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
18 min read

If your Whirlpool duet washer is locked and you need to unlock it, this guide will show you how. Well, hooking the washer into a switchboard is all that is required to unlock it. To unlock your washing machine, continue reading this guide.

The duet washer from Whirlpool has a lot to offer in terms of features and functionality. EPA’s Energy and Environmental Protection Agency’s energy star criteria aren’t met because it uses less water and power when washing clothing.

The Whirlpool duet washer uses 68% less water and 67% less electricity to thoroughly clean your clothes of filth and dust. This washer employs both gravity and electricity to agitate the cloths. The Whirlpool Duet Washer occasionally receives indications to continue the wash cycle owing to a system issue. As a result of this, the door remains locked even after the cycle is finished. However, a simple reset or manual unlocking approach is all that is required to open the door. You can use these instructions to rapidly unlock your Whirlpool duet washer if it has been locked.

Whirlpool Washer Door Locked? How to Fix It

You may not be able to open the door of your Whirlpool washing machine if it has locked itself. If this occurs, it’s a sign that one of the washer’s components is broken.

Whirlpool Washer Door is Locked - How to Unlock - What to Check

Following these five steps will help unlock the washer before you inspect its internal components.

  1. Try unlocking the door a few minutes after the cycle has finished. To open the door, a signal must be sent to the control board and the washer must wait a few minutes for the engine to stop entirely. It’s possible that your washer has stopped in the middle of a cycle, and the door won’t open because it’s full of water.
  2. To open the door after the cycle is complete, hold down the “control lock” button for three seconds. After you hear the door unlatch, you should be able to open it.
  3. Pressing down the “end of cycle” button for a few seconds on your particular washer should manually reset it and let you to open its door if that doesn’t work.
  4. Unplugging and re-plugging your washing machine for 45 minutes or more may be necessary if the manual reset fails. You should be able to start over with a clean machine. Whether or whether the door has been unlocked, you can now check.
  5. The last resort is to manually unlock the washer door if it is still locked. The toe panel (a metal strip) at the bottom of the washer must be removed with a flathead screwdriver before you can proceed. To discover the door latch after removing the panel, you should be able to reach inside the front panel. The door latch should have a teardrop-shaped tab at the bottom; find this tab and pull it until you hear a click. This should unlock the door. Attempting to open the door now should be successful.

Next, when you’ve unlocked your washing door, you’ll need to figure out what went wrong. Unless the problem persists or you had to manually open the door after a reset, you don’t need to inspect these components and can continue to use your washer as normal.

Inspecting these elements is a must:

THE LID SWITCH

A defective lid switch is the most typical reason of a Whirlpool washer door locking up and refusing to open (including the striker). If you’re in the middle of a wash cycle, the door switch locks and unlocks the door for you. Your washer door may not open as it should if it develops a problem.

The lid switch and striker can be tested in the following manner:

  1. Unplug the washing machine’s power cord.
  2. The lid switch can be found (consult your manual if necessary).
  3. Make sure it’s not misaligned or slack. Make any necessary adjustments and then test to see if the issue has been resolved.
  4. The switch must be removed from the washer in order to be tested for continuity if it is appropriately aligned.
  5. Test the door switch with a multimeter once it has been removed.
  6. It is OK to reattach the switch to the washer and continue on to the next component if the test confirms that it has continuity. A replacement will be necessary if it lacks continuity.
  7. Afterwards, you should check to verify if the door lock functions properly. If not, proceed to the next item on your to-do list.

THE ACTUATOR MOTOR

The actuator motor is the next component to inspect. During a cycle, if the actuator motor fails or the power wires get loose, your washer will not work and the door may not open.

Whirlpool WFW75HEFW Front-Loading Washing Machine Review - Reviewed

To determine the actuator model, follow these steps:

  1. First, switch on your washing machine and listen for a loud, grinding noise coming from the actuator motor before checking the motor with a multimeter. If you hear a grinding noise (it will be clear), then the motor is defective and needs to be replaced.
  2. It’s time to disconnect the washer and find the actuator motor if there are no audible sounds coming from the motor (use your manual if necessary).
  3. Make sure that all of the wires that are attached to the motor have been checked for proper connection.
  4. You must now use a multimeter to check the motor to see if the wires are connected correctly.
  5. As long as you see continuity, you can proceed to testing the drain pump. The motor will need to be replaced if there is no continuity.
  6. Verify that the issue has been resolved after the new part has been installed. If this is the case, then you should get your drain pump inspected.

THE DRAIN PUMP

The drain pump in your Whirlpool washer can also fail, making it impossible to open the door. The drain pump can occasionally become blocked or fail completely, resulting in the door becoming stuck.

Checking the drain pump is as simple as following these steps:

  1. Check to see if the washer’s electricity is still off.
  2. The drain pump can be found (check your manual if required).
  3. Once you’ve found them, check to see if the impellers (which look like fans) can rotate freely. If this is the case, the motor has suffered damage.
  4. Use a multimeter to check the motor.
  5. If the test demonstrates continuity, you can proceed to the next component without further delay. However, if the drain pump unit does not have continuity, you will need to replace it.
  6. Verify that the issue has been resolved after the new part has been installed. If this is the case, go to the final step.

THE CONTROL BOARD

It is possible that the main control board in your Whirlpool washer is malfunctioning if the door will not unlock. You should first rule out other more common causes before deciding to replace the mainboard if this is the only thing wrong. You may not be able to afford to replace the mainboard if you need to, depending on the kind of washer.

Tips To Unlock A Whirlpool Duet Washer

To unlock a Whirlpool duet washer, what do you need to do first? Here are some helpful hints for fast and easily unlocking your Whirlpool washer.

Tip #1. Restart the washer

The washer may need to be restarted. Three minutes after unplugging the washer, reconnect it. Then, plug in the washer once more, and the door will open by itself. To begin, you might try restarting the washer to see if that helps unlock it. For more information on how to reset a Maytag washer or how to reset a Kenmore washer, please see the following links:

Tip #2. By pressing the control lock button

See if there is a lock button on your Whirlpool washer. Just press the button. Hold on for three seconds. Look in the control panel for the user. It’s time to let go of the door lock if you can’t find the control lock button.

Tip #3. By using the drain and spin method

Maintaining a Whirlpool Duet Washer in good working order necessitates a reset. This is how you can reset your whirlpool duet washer. Washing clothes? Unactivate the appropriate ongoing cycle you’ve activated. Drain and spin are the next buttons to press. The water will be drained, and your washing machine will receive a signal that the cycle is over. As a result, the washing door will be unlocked.

Method To Unlock The Stuck Door

Then what if you activated the option to add garments and then forgot to add any additional clothing. You will have to reset the washer if the door gets stuck. Stop the washing machine. Restart the washer after removing the plug.

Steps To Unlock The Washer Door Manually

You must open the panel on the bottom of the washer to unlock the door manually if the whirlpool washer does not have power. To unlock your washing machine’s door manually, follow the instructions outlined below.

Step #1. Unplug the washer

Disconnect the washer from the wall outlet and turn off the power.

Step #2. Remove the toe panel

The lower toe panel is located at the front bottom of the washer. Three screws must be removed before you can access this panel. To remove the panel, first remove the screws with a flathead screwdriver, and then pull it away from you.

Step #3. Access the door latch assembly

The door latch assembly can be found on the right side of the washer door by putting your hand inside the panel.

Step #4. Pull the teardrop-shaped tab

The teardrop-shaped tab has a teardrop-shaped tab affixed below it. To remove it, simply pull the tab all the way down. To be certain that the door has been unlocked, listen for a click sound.

How To Avoid The Door From Locking In The Future?

A computer or laptop must be reset if an error occurs. Similarly, the whirlpool duet washer is a computer, thus the same rules apply. Unlocking the washer door manually is preferable to resetting the washer every month or two. The procedure of regaining access to a locked door is one that is both frustrating and time consuming. Everybody is so busy doing their tasks that there’s no time left over to fix them.

We all know weekends are for having fun. Screws should not be opened and closed with a screwdriver. If you want to keep your washer door from locking, make sure you follow this important tip: Never close the washing door with too much force. Open the washing door manually if it’s locked. The door could malfunction if you apply too much force on it. A handkerchief or sock hanging from the washer’s door can result in a jammed door, so make sure there is no loose fabric. Don’t mess with the cycle settings while it’s in progress. In place of this, push the power button first, and then restart the process from scratch. The washing machine’s computer can become confused if buttons are pressed. For bad youngsters, turn on the child lock to keep them out of your washing machine. You should know how much is the Whirlpool Cabrio washer and dryer and the review of the Whirlpool Smart Cabrio WTW8700EC washer if you don’t already have one.

Whirlpool WFW9351YW 27 Inch Front-Load Washer with 3.5 cu. ft. Capacity, 13 Wash Cycles, Sanitary/Allergen Cycles, 4 Temperature Settings, Eco Monitor and Water Heater: White

How to Unlock a Whirlpool Duet Washing Machine

As a safety measure, the door of your Whirlpool Duet washing machine is automatically locked during a wash cycle. Small hands or preoccupied minds may open the door, allowing water to overflow the laundry area, or injure themselves by reaching inside a spinning washtub if the door was not locked. Until the tub is completely dry, the lock will stay in place. Unlocking the washer is usually as simple as canceling any washes that were accidentally selected during the cycle or reaching for the manual release ring.

  1. Check to check whether the “Fan Dry” option was mistakenly pressed throughout the wash cycle. The door is unlocked and the “Fan Dry” option is turned off by pressing the power button.
  2. To unlock the washing machine, press the “Drain and Spin” button on the control panel. This may allow any remaining water to be drained from the machine and prevent it from becoming stuck. The door should unlock once the “Drain and Spin” cycle has finished.
  3. Make sure the “Add Garment” button is on. If you have activated the “Add Garment” feature, pressing the start button unlocks the washing machine.
  4. Otherwise, try unplugging your washer from the electrical outlet. Remove the three Torx-head screws from the washer’s bottom front using a T-20 Torx screwdriver.
  5. Pull the bottom panel away from the washer by squeezing it. Take a look at the door lock through the open panel. Under the locking mechanism, you’ll find a release ring. Unlock the door by lowering the ring.

Tip

If you have to unlock the door of your washing machine after each cycle, you may need to replace the drain pump or pressure switch.

FAQs

How do you manually unlock a Whirlpool front load washer?

  1. Unplug and turn off the washing machine and dryer.
  2. Shut off the water supply.
  3. Never open the door while the drum is still rotating; this is a safety hazard.
  4. Take a break from high-temperature washing until water and clothing have cooled down.

How do you manually unlock a Whirlpool Duet washer?

To unlock the washer, remove the top panel by removing the screws on the back of it. Then, pull the panel back and raise it out of the way to remove it. Pull a little ring on the top of the door lock to unlock the door manually after unplugging the washer.

Why is my Whirlpool washer locked?

A defective lid switch is the most typical reason of a Whirlpool washer door locking up and refusing to open (including the striker). If you’re in the middle of a wash cycle, the door switch locks and unlocks the door for you. Your washer door may not open as it should if it develops a problem.

How do I clear the LOC on my Whirlpool washer?

As a stand-alone key or with another button like Extra Rinse, Steam, or the like, the control lock can be used to secure the shower door. Lock by pressing and holding the button for three seconds. Consult your model’s owner’s manual for more information.

Why is my washer locked and won’t open?

There could be a problem with the washer’s pressure switch or an obstruction in the system that’s preventing the door from unlocking, even after the water has been pushed out. The lock on the door has become stuck. An engineer should be contacted.

What do you do when your washer says LoC?

You may see the code “LoC” or “LC” if you try to push buttons (depending on your model). This message serves as a reminder that you have activated the control lock and must do so in order for the washing controls to work.

How do I reset my Whirlpool front load washer?

RINSE, WASH, and STOP are all lit up when you turn the dial to the right. Then disconnect your washer for 10 seconds while it’s off. It should be reset when you turn it on again.

It’s A Wrap!

Using the above-mentioned basic guidelines, you can easily unlock the door. Do not play about with your washing machine if you want to avoid any problems. Instead than waiting for the Whirlpool washer door lock error to occur, immediately reset the appliance. Resetting the washer is a great way to maintain it in good working order for a long time. So, how do you unlock a Whirlpool duet washing machine? Related articles can help you understand what F28 indicates on a Whirlpool washer, as well as where to buy a lid switch for your appliance.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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