It may seem unlikely for our washer to lock us out and prevent us from getting our clothes.
But surprise! It does happen and it can be a frustrating experience if you don’t know what to do next.
To erase your worries, this article will break down the causes of your Maytag washer door’s lock issues and easy ways to fix them.
Why is my Maytag washer door locked?
The common reasons why your Maytag washer’s door is locked are high water temperature, high water level, and ongoing spinning cycle.
It’s best to wait for your washer to cool down and finish its cycle before attempting to open its door.
However, if the door remains locked after the washer has cooled down and ended its cycle, it’s time to reset and troubleshoot it. Learn how below.
Resetting Your Maytag Washer to Unlock Its Door
To unlock your Maytag washer’s door, you can reset the machine by turning it off and on again or by pressing a series of buttons in a specific order.
This will depend on whether you wish to override its unlock mechanism or to remove it from being stuck in lock mode.
Overriding Lock Mode
Restarting your washer can override its lock mode. Here’s how:
Step 1: Press and hold down the “OFF” button for 30 seconds to trick your machine into starting a fresh cycle.
Step 2: Press the “Drain” or “Spin” button to cancel the current cycle and cause the machine to drain the remaining water inside its tub.
Step 3: Wait for the machine to drain all the water. Once emptied, the door will automatically unlock.
Solving Door Stuck on Lock Mode
If the washer’s door remains in lock mode even after turning the machine on and off, you can reset it by pressing a series of buttons in order. See how below:
Step 1: Press the button for temperature, soil level, and spin speed in that exact order thrice.
Step 2: Press the soil level button twice.
Step 3: Press the start/pause button. This will then unlock your washer’s door.
Resetting your Maytag washer almost always does the trick! But sometimes, it can’t be helped when the door stubbornly stays locked.
So, we’re going to explore further and identify the possible causes of your Maytag washer door refusing to open.
Causes of Maytag Washer Door Lock Issues Plus Easy Solutions!
Below are the different causes of door lock issues you’ll encounter and how to deal with them.
Problem | Solution |
Poor water drainage | • Turn off your Maytag washer and unplug it from the power outlet. • Remove the rear cover of your washer to access the drain hose. • Prepare a bucket for catching any remaining water inside the washer and the drain hose. • Once the hose is drained, disconnect it from the washer. • Examine the interior of the hose for any debris or blockages. • Get a long brush to thoroughly clean the inside of the drain hose. • Get rid of any dirt, lint, or residue that may be obstructing it. • Rinse the drain hose and check if water can flow freely from one end to the other. • Reattach the drain hose to the washer, ensuring it is securely in place. • Next, reattach the rear cover, screwing it in securely. • Plug your washer back into the power source. |
Broken lid switch | • Make sure the washer is turned off and disconnected from the power source. • Remove the rear cover of the control panel by unscrewing it. • To access the lid switch assembly, use a putty knife to flip the control panel. • If the control panel is held in place by screws, remove them with a screwdriver. • Locate the lid switch assembly on the main body of the washer. • The lid switch is a black square component with wires found underneath the control board. • Before removing the wires from the lid switch assembly, note their positions. • Once the wires are disconnected, unscrew and remove the lid switch assembly. • You can purchase a new lid switch assembly from Maytag’s store or any local appliance store. • Connect the washer’s wires to the new lid switch and screw the new component onto the washer. • Reposition the control panel and either snap or screw it back into place. • Replace the cover of the control panel and tighten the screws. • Finally, plug your Maytag washer back into the power outlet. |
Malfunctioning water level sensor | • Start by disconnecting your Maytag washer from the power outlet. • Next, remove the screws holding the control panel in place at the rear of the washer. • Take off the cover of the control panel. • Use a putty knife to gently lift the control panel • Flip it forward to access the pressure switch or pressure sensor. • The pressure sensor is a circular component with a pipe and wires attached to it. • Disconnect the pressure sensor hose then detach the wires connected to the component. • To perform testing, you’ll need a multimeter, which can be purchased at hardware stores. • Set the multimeter to the ohms setting. • Place the multimeter’s probes on the terminals of the sensor. • If the multimeter displays a reading of 0 ohms, then the pressure switch needs to be replaced. • You can purchase a new water pressure sensor from Maytag’s official store or a hardware store. • Remove the screws that secure the sensor to the machine. • Take out the faulty pressure sensor and replace it with a new one. • Secure the new pressure switch in place with screws, and then reattach the air hose and wires to it. • Put the cover of the control panel back in position and fasten it with the screws. • Finally, plug your washer back into its power source. |
Poor Water Drainage
If the drain hose is blocked, your washer won’t be able to expel water, leaving it trapped inside the tub.
Consequently, the machine will persistently detect the water until it can be properly drained.
Solution: Turn off your washer and disconnect it from the power source.
Remove the rear cover of your washer by unscrewing it to access the drain hose.
Place a bucket or basin beneath the washer to catch any remaining water inside the machine and the drain hose.
Wait for the hose to completely empty before disconnecting it from the washer. Inspect the interior of the hose for any blockages.
Use a long brush to clean the inside of the drain hose, removing any dirt, lint, or residue that may be impeding water flow.
Rinse the drain hose, while observing if water flows freely from one end to the other.
Once you are certain that the drain hose is clear of obstructions, reattach it to the washer. Replace the machine’s cover and securely screw it in place.
Finally, plug your washer back into the power outlet.
Broken Lid Switch
Maytag washers are very sensitive when it comes to the lid switch. If this part is damaged, the washer’s door won’t close properly.
Solution: Before inspecting the interior, make sure the washer is turned off and disconnected from the power source.
Position the washer so that its back is facing you. Then, remove the rear cover of the control panel by unscrewing it.
Use a putty knife to flip the control panel open. You can now access the lid switch assembly.
If there are screws holding the control panel, just use a screwdriver to remove them.
Locate the lid switch assembly under the control board; it’s the black square part.
Remember where the wires are connected to the lid switch assembly before removing them.
After removing the wires, unscrew and take out the damaged lid switch.
Purchase a new one from Maytag’s store or a local appliance store.
Connect the washer’s wires to the new lid switch in their correct positions and put the screws to secure the new assembly.
Flip the control panel back into place and put on its cover. Tighten the screws.
Lastly, plug your Maytag washer back into the power outlet.
Malfunctioning Water Level Sensor
Your washer’s pressure sensor is in charge of monitoring and detecting the water level that goes into your tub.
If the sensor is faulty or broken, it won’t accurately gauge the water level and will make your machine think that it’s still full. It will keep the door locked as a result.
Solution: Disconnect your Maytag washer from the power outlet to avoid any accidents.
If your washer is positioned against the wall, move it until you can access its back.
Remove the screws of the control panel at the back of the washer and then take the cover off.
Using a putty knife, lift the control panel and flip it forward to have easier access to the pressure switch or pressure sensor.
You’ll identify the sensor as a round component with a plastic air hose and wires connected to it.
Remember the hose and wires’ placements. After noting their positions, pull off the pressure sensor hose as well as the wires connected to the component.
Get a multimeter and set it to the ohms setting.
Put the multimeter’s two probes on the sensor’s terminals. If the multimeter reads 0, the pressure switch is broken and must be replaced.
Buy a new water pressure sensor from Maytag’s store, hardware stores, or appliance parts stores.
Remove the screws securing the sensor on the machine.
Unmount the defective pressure sensor and replace it with a new one.
Screw the new pressure switch in place. Then, attach the air hose and the wires to it.
Put the control panel’s cover back. Secure it with its screws.
Plug in your washer to its power source.
Quick tip:
If the tub is still full of water, drain the water first before replacing the pressure switch.
Steps to Manually Open Your Maytag Washer Door
You can manually open your Maytag washer door by disassembling it and pulling its lock lever inside. This will unlock your washing machine’s door without needing to replace or troubleshoot its other parts.
Below is a step-by-step guide to unlocking your washer door manually.
Step 1: If there’s water inside the tub, drain the washer first.
Step 2: Unscrew the lower corner of the washer.
Step 3: Take off the front panel by gently pulling it downward from the lower section, where it’s secured with plastic clips.
Step 4: After removing the front panel, locate the tear-shaped lever and pull it until you hear a click! Your washer is now unlocked.
When you suddenly can’t pull your Maytag washer’s door, don’t panic and remember the troubleshooting steps to unlock it again.
If you need an extra pair of hands, don’t hesitate to call a technician for assistance! It’s always better to be safe than sorry.