Whirlpool is a leading brand when it comes to washers. Their washers are one of modern life’s great conveniences until things go wrong. However, if your Whirlpool washer won’t lock, turn on, unlock, or turn off, help is here.
A possible reason for a Whirlpool washer not locking is a damaged or missing door boot seal retaining ring. This ring secures the door boot seal to the front panel of front-load washers. If it’s damaged or missing, the boot seal can detach from the panel, preventing the door from closing and locking. Installing a new retaining ring can fix this issue.
As you can tell, there are several reasons why your Whirlpool washer isn’t locking or unlocking or isn’t turning on or off. You can find out more below. And, for good measure, we’ll also give you some fixes.
Whirlpool Washer Won’t Lock: Reasons and Fixes
If your Whirlpool washer doesn’t lock, you won’t be able to run a wash cycle.
That’s because modern washers have a safety feature called an interlock. On a front loader, it prevents the machine from running unless the door catch is fully engaged in the interlock’s lock cavity. On a top loader, it keeps the door locked during the spin cycle.
If your Whirlpool washer won’t lock, here are some common reasons.
Debris in the Interlock Cavity
If you look at your washer with the door open, you’ll see a square cavity next to the drum opening. That’s part of the washer’s interlock. It’s into that cavity that the door catch latches.
A build-up of debris in there may prevent the door catch from latching.
So clean out any debris, and the door should now lock.
Damaged Door Release Mechanism
When you press the handle on your washer front loader, it moves the door catch so that it disconnects from the interlock, enabling you to open the door.
If the catch doesn’t move, the spring in the release mechanism may be damaged. It’s sandwiched inside the door.
To replace it, you’ll need to remove the door from the washer and separate the front and back door trims. They’re held together by screws.
Once you’ve removed the old parts and replaced them with the new ones, reverse the process to put the door back together. Then re-attach it to the washer.
If that’s put your head into a spin cycle, the following video shows you how easy this is to do:
Faulty Door Interlock
If your front-loading washer isn’t locking because the interlock’s electrics have failed, you’ll need to replace the interlock.
To do this, you’ll need to unclamp the boot seal around the washer opening and push it into the drum.
Undo the screws holding the interlock, unhook it from its bracket, and disconnect the wires. You can now reverse the process to install the new interlock.
If you’re struggling or need a visual guide, this video will help:
On a top loader, the door lock stops the door from opening during the spin cycle. If it won’t lock and you need to replace it, the following video will guide you through the process:
Whirlpool Washer Won’t Turn On: Reasons and Fixes
If your Whirlpool washer locks but won’t turn on, there are several potential reasons.
The Washer Isn’t Plugged In
Perhaps this sounds too obvious, but it’s free to do, so double-check it anyway.
Electric Outlet Issue
Ensure the outlet is working by plugging something else into it. If the other appliance works, then the outlet isn’t the issue.
If the other appliance doesn’t work, check if there’s an on/off switch for the outlet. While standard outlets don’t have switches, some outlets do. If there is a switch, ensure it’s on.
Some outlets, especially in kitchens and laundry rooms, have a safety feature that shuts off power if there’s an electrical surge. These are ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
If the GFCI has shut off power to the outlet, press the reset button on the GFCI outlet.
If your washer still doesn’t turn on, keep going.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
Check your breaker panel in case the washer switch has tripped. If so, flip the switch back on.
Damaged Power Cord
To see if this is the problem, you’ll need to use a multimeter to check the power cord. It’ll tell you if there’s a complete electrical path running through the cord.
This video shows how to do this with a multimeter:
If the test shows the power cord is defective, you’ll need to replace it.
Faulty Main Control Board
The main control board is your washer’s brain. If it’s damaged, you’ll need to replace it. Damage to the main control board may be apparent, like burn marks.
How you access, the control board varies depending on your washer. For example, on a front loader, you remove the top.
If you need to replace the control board yourself, these useful videos should help.
For front load washers:
For top load washers:
Whirlpool Washer Won’t Unlock: Reasons and Fixes
In this situation, resist the temptation to force the door open. Take a breath and check out the possible causes and fixes below.
Wash Cycle Has Just Finished
With most modern washers, you have to wait two to three minutes after the end of the wash cycle before the door will open.
If you’ve waited long enough, but your washer still won’t unlock, check the following.
Water Is Still in the Drum
On a front loader, if there’s water in the drum, the door won’t unlock. So, drain the water by running the washer’s drain/spin cycle. However, if there’s a blockage, you’ll have to drain it manually.
Don’t panic. On many front load washers, a small hatch on the front lets you easily access the drain hose. You can see how in the following video:
On others, you may need to take off the back panel, as shown in this video:
In either case, after draining the washer, remove all debris blocking the drain hose and filter.
Blocked Pressure Switch Hose
The pressure switch controls the water in the washer. If its hose is blocked, it’ll signal there’s water in the drum even when there isn’t. So, the door will stay locked.
But, if there’s no water in the drum, unplug the washer and leave it for several minutes. Then plug it in again.
If that doesn’t help, you’ll need to access the pressure switch and clean out any blockages in the hose. Or replace the hose if it’s damaged.
You can see what you’ll be looking for in this video:
Faulty Door Interlock
If the door interlock is faulty, it may keep the door locked even after the end of a wash cycle.
If this is why your washer door won’t unlock, replace the interlock as outlined above.
Whirlpool Washer Won’t Turn Off: Reasons and Fixes
If your washer doesn’t turn off, try resetting by unplugging it for several minutes. Then plug it in and see if that has solved the issue.
If not, here are some common reasons why your washer won’t turn off and how to fix them.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 12, 2020.
Faulty On/Off Button
If the on/off push-button on your washer is damaged, it may stop working as it should.
If the button looks okay, the button pad inside the washer may be damaged.
To replace the button or the button pad, you’ll need to get behind the control panel fascia.
As you can see from these videos, this isn’t hard, which shows the process on a top loader.
Push-button replacement:
Push-button pad replacement:
Faulty Main Control Board
We’ve explained above the role of the main control board. A faulty or damaged control board may be why your washer won’t turn off, so it will need replacing.
Final Thoughts
Now you know some common reasons and fixes if your Whirlpool washer won’t lock, turn on, unlock or turn off.
Often, resetting by unplugging the washer, waiting, and then plugging it in again will solve the issue.
If not, let’s sum up what you should check.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 12, 2020.
| Issue | Reason |
| Won’t Lock | Debris in interlock cavity |
|
| Door release mechanism not moving door latch |
|
| Faulty lock |
| Won’t Turn On | Washer not plugged in |
|
| Electric outlet issue |
|
| Tripped circuit breaker |
|
| Damaged power cord |
|
| Faulty main control board |
| Won’t Unlock | Wash cycle has just finished |
|
| Water still in the drum |
|
| Pressure switch hose blocked |
|
| Faulty door lock |
| Won’t Turn Off | Faulty on/off button |
|
| Faulty main control board |
Hopefully, knowing why you might encounter these issues and how to fix them will reduce your laundry day blues.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 12, 2020.