Latching a Front Load Washer Door

Common Causes of a Non-Locking Washer Door

A frequent culprit is obstructions in the door seal or gasket. Small clothing items or debris can get trapped in the rubber seal, preventing the door from closing completely. To address this, carefully inspect the gasket for any foreign objects and clean it regularly to maintain proper function.

Check if the door was closed firmly. The door may look closed, but may not be latched. Open and close the door firmly; the door must be completely closed and latched for the washer to operate. Once started, the door will lock, unlock, and lock again. This is normal and is a self-test of the lock mechanism. 

Finally, check if the locking mechanism needs to be cleaned.  Debris build-up could prevent the washer from properly locking. Use a warm damp cloth to clean the area. 

Washer Door is Not Unlocking

The washer spins at a very high rate, so the door locks as a safety measure while the cycle is in progress. Once the cycle has started, it is common to hear the lock click on and off a couple of times. During this testing phase, you might be able to pause the cycle if additional clothing items need to be added. The door will automatically unlock once the cycle has been completed. 

If the washer door won't unlatch check the following:

• Cancel cycle: If the washer is not automatically unlocking, try pushing the cancel button.
• Error codes or flashing lights: If there are any error codes or flashing lights displayed, refer to the troubleshooting guide on this site for additional information. 
• Water not draining: If the washer can't drain, the door lock will remain on to prevent potential flooding. Review the washer is not draining or spinning article for more information.
• Cycle power: Just like a computer, rebooting the software can fix some concerns.  Disconnect power for 2 minutes.  If water is still present in the washer, a "drain and spin" cycle might need to be performed to remove the water. 

Refer to the Owner's Manual, Quick Start Guide, and Cycle Guide for information specific to your Whirlpool washing machine.