Whirlpool Duet Washer Door Locked? Here’s What to Do

The Whirlpool Duet washer has been a great addition to many homes. With its large capacity, seven different wash cycles, and quiet operation, this reliable workhorse provides everything you need to keep your clothes looking good and smelling fresh.

However, none of these features are of any use if you cannot unlock the door! Unfortunately, some Duet owners have reported having trouble with the door staying locked.

Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to unlock the door and start using the appliance again. Here’s what to do if the door on your Whirlpool Duet washer is locked:

Try a hard reset

Sometimes, you can fix a locked Whirlpool Duet door by performing a hard reset. And since this is a relatively simple solution, it’s worth trying this first.

To reboot your machine, unplug it from the power outlet, wait three minutes, and then plug it back in again. This should clear any temporary bugs or glitches in the control panel, hopefully allowing the door to unlock again.

Check for drainage issues

The door won’t unlock if there is still water inside the washer. You can try selecting the “Drain & Spin” cycle on your machine to drain away any water, and the door should unlock when the cycle is complete.

If this fails to work, and you believe there is still water inside, you likely have a blockage in the drain pump filter or drain hose. Follow these steps to unblock the drain hose and pump filter:

• Unplug your Whirlpool Duet for safety.
• Remove the front lower panel, also called the kick panel. You will need a screwdriver, possibly with a Torx bit.
• Remove the cap on the drain pump filter by twisting it counterclockwise. You will need to have a pan ready and some towels to catch the water that drains out.
• Once the water is drained, remove the pump filter and clean it thoroughly, removing any blockages. Also, clean inside the drain pump filter housing.
• Next, pull the washer away from the wall to access the drain hose.
• Disconnect the drain hose and run water through it to check if it’s clogged.
• If clogged, use a long, flexible brush, such as a drain snake, to unclog it.
• Reassemble the washer, plug it back in, and retry a “Drain & Spin” cycle.

Check if FanFresh is on

Whirlpool Duet washers have a FanFresh mode, which can run for up to 12 hours, and the door will stay locked during the cycle. FanFresh tumbles the load for a few seconds every 40 minutes and uses a fan to help keep clothes fresh after a wash cycle if you can’t dry them immediately.

However, you easily cancel this cycle by pressing “Power,” which will then unlock the door.

Check the power supply

You’ve likely already checked this, but if there’s an issue with the power supply, such as it not receiving enough voltage, then the door won’t unlock. You can test the outlet by plugging another device into it to see if it works properly. You can also check that the outlet is providing 120 volts by testing it with a multimeter.

It’s also a good idea to check the washer’s power cord for damage. If it’s in good condition, ensure it’s plugged all the way in and not partially.

Unlock the door manually

If the steps above have not unlocked the door on your Whirlpool Duet, it’s time to do it manually. Before you start, unlocking it manually will require you to disassemble the machine.

If you don’t feel confident doing this, it’s strongly advised to call in a professional to help you fix your appliance. Here’s how to unlock a Whirlpool Duet washer door manually:

1. Unplug your Whirlpool Duet for safety.
2. Remove the top panel of the washer. You will need a screwdriver.
3. Reach down into the right lower front of the washer, where you will find the door lock assembly.
4. Pull the lock release tab on top of the door lock upwards to manually unlock and open the door.
5. Reassemble the washer, plug it back in, and attempt to use it again to see if the door locks and unlocks normally.

Call in an expert

If you are still unable to unlock the door after trying the above steps, or if you find that the issue keeps reoccurring, it’s time to call in an expert to help you fix the appliance.

They will be able to pinpoint exactly what’s causing the problem. They might replace the door lock assembly for you, fix any loose or damaged wiring, or replace a faulty control board.

Summary

While a Whirlpool Duet washer door that isn’t unlocking is annoying, it’s usually a fixable issue. The worst-case scenario would be an issue with the control board, as this can be expensive to fix or replace. Most of the time, a hard reset, fixing any drainage issues, or manually unlocking it is enough to fix the problem.

Whirlpool Duet washers are generally reliable machines that perform well, so they are worth fixing. If you need help with any of the above, don’t hesitate to call in a professional to help you diagnose and fix this door-locking issue.