Maytag Washer Door Locked: 5 Easy Ways To Fix It Forever

Going to take out your clothes after you have finished the laundry and finding that the door is locked and you can’t take out your clothes can be a frustrating surprise.

We all know Maytag and trust their products, but some glitches or problems, like all electrical appliances, may happen. The Glitch of getting your washing machine locked and the door light flashing.

You don’t have to worry about this issue; in this article, I will discuss the causes of why your Maytag washer door is locked. In addition, how to fix each cause quickly.

Why is your Maytag Washer Door Locked?

You will have to go through things to determine why your Maytag washer door is locked. First, before checking anything in your washing machine, you will need to unplug it to ensure it doesn’t run while diagnosing it.

1- the Lid is Not Locked Properly

If the lock striker is obstructed, it will not fit properly, and the locking lid will not close. The lock striker is essential to make your washer lock; without it, the washing machine can start even if the door is not locked.

Therefore, you must check the lid for any lint or detergent buildup around the lock or the striker. The buildup can be complex and get in the lid’s way, making the lock mechanism fail.

2- Issue With the Lid Motor

There might be an issue with the lid motor, which prevents the cycle from starting. You can try a fix by pressing and holding the start button. Hold it for over three cycles; if the wash cycle starts, the problem is fixed.

3- Electronic Glitch with the Washer

Sometimes an electronic glitch might happen, which causes the Washer to take too long to fill with water. As a result, the door won’t open because the Washer is still filling the water, so the best action to take is to reset the Washer.

The reset action should reset the latch and unlock the door; however, if the latch is not reset, you will need to look for the error codes displayed on your appliance.

You will notice an error code next to the door light lock. The error lights can be either LF (long fill) or F8E1, and they will appear on your machine’s display.

The errors stand for either too long to get the water out of the machine or too long to fill the machine with water.

4- Too Long Drain Hose

If the problem is with the draining or filling process, the first thing to check is the drain hose. If the drain hose is extended into your washer drain case for more than 4.5″, then there will be an issue with the water flow.

Let me clarify when the drain hose is extended more than the recommended distance. The hose starts a siphoning effect, which means that when the water is filling into the Washer, it starts to drain again.

As a result, the tub is never filled because once the water reaches the drain hose level, the hose starts to drain it. This keeps going on, causing the Washer to take forever to fill with water, and consequently, the door stays locked.

5- Blocked Inlet Hoses

The water is filled into the Washer through the two inlet hoses; they are responsible for the washer water supply. If the hoses have a problem, the Washer will display error codes. Water sensors inside your washing machine detect whether both inlet hoses are functioning or not.

So, if the sensors detect that the water supply is not flowing into one of the hoses, it doesn’t send the signal to the Washer, so it starts the washing cycle. As a result, the door gets locked until the water is drained.

6- Faulty Water Sensor (Switch)

The water sensor is essential in any washer and can be found in the washer cabinet. It tells the Washer when to fill the water and drain it out. However, you don’t have to worry; it’s not an expensive component.

Now, you can understand the main issue when the water filling or draining process is affected; the door gets locked. The washer system thinks the water is being filled or drained.

How to Fix Maytag Washer Door Locked

After knowing why your Maytag washer door is locked, I will discuss how to fix each cause or reason. Kindly follow the next steps to get your washing machine back functioning correctly.

1- How to Fix the Lid is Not Locked Properly?

If your lid is not locked correctly, you will need to remove the hard buildup getting in the way of the lock strike. W dampen a sponge or a cloth in warm water, then remove the detergents or lint.

It’s advised to use mild soap if you clean the outer parts of your washing machine. If, after you have removed the excess materials and the lid is still not locking, you will need to hire a technician to help you fix the problem.

2- How to Fix an Electronic Glitch with the Washer?

Start by powering off the washing machine and unplugging it, and let the washer rest for about 60 seconds. This should reset the latch. Plug the Washer again and power it on; as a result, the latch will be reset, and the problem should be fixed.

If the problem is still present, it’s advised that you leave the Washer plugged in for about 20 minutes. The Washer takes about 20 minutes to go into flood mode, in which the Washer drains all the water. The door should be unlocked after the washer finishes.

3- Too Long Drain Hose

If your drain hose is incorrectly installed, which makes it too long, you will need to reinstall it in a way that doesn’t create a siphoning effect.

When fixing the too-long drain hose issue, don’t use duct tape because the duct tape will get ruined by water in the tub. In addition, don’t cover the drain opening when installing the drain hose.

4- How to Fix Blocked Inlet Hoses?

First, you must check the inlet hoses to see if they are blocked. Each hose must be connected to either the cold or the hot tap. If both are connected, check if the taps are toggled on; next, ensure that the hoses are not twisted or kinked.

If everything is connected right, the next step is to check the hoses to see if they are blocked. Put a bucket underneath the hoses before you unplug them or any dripping water.

Unplug the first hose and check if there is any debris blocking it. Then, check the other, clean any debris you find, and reconnect the hoses to check if the Washer functions appropriately.

5- How to Fix a Faulty Water Sensor (Switch)?

First, you will need to check the water level sensor (switch); the sensor’s place differs from model to model and makes to make. However, its usual place is inside the control console.

You can locate your water sensor by checking the user’s manual of your machine. So, if your water sensor is inside the control console, you can distinguish it from the rubber tube.

The first step is to inspect the tube for any blockage; to do so, you must disconnect the tube first. The tube is connected by fitting at each side of the tube.

After disconnecting the tube, check if there is any debris inside the tube and clean it. If the tube is damaged, like it has holes or cracks, you will need to replace it.

Reconnect the tube and ensure it’s secured in place, then give the sensor another try to check if this fixes the problem.

If the sensor is not fixed, test it using a multimeter for continuity. Hiring a technician is recommended if you need more experience to handle it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are the most commonly asked questions about the locked Maytag washer door. I hope they are helpful to you when you are fixing the problem.

1- How To Get Your Maytag Washer Door Unlocked?

You can unlock your Maytag door by unplugging and reconnecting the washing machine. Next, start the “Drain and Spin” cycle, the Washer will start to drain out the water, and the door will unlock as soon as the cycle finishes.

To speed up the process or drain the water yourself, you can pull the drain hose and empty the water into a container or a bucket.

2- How To Get Maytag Washer Lid Lock Reset?

On your washing machine control panel, press the cycle signal; as a result, the locks will be deactivated. Next, stop the washer cycle by pressing the “Start/Pause” button. The lid is now open because it allows changes once it gets paused.

3- Can the Maytag Lid Lock be Forced To Unlock?

Yes, you can force the lid lock on your Maytag to unlock; however, this can only be done if the Washer is not displaying any other errors. You should notice that if any components of the Washer need to be replaced, this will not be possible.

So, to force the lid lock to unlock, you will need to press and hold the Cycle End or Cancel button for one to two minutes.

4- How Much Does A Lid Lock Cost?

The lid lock can cost you between 100$ and 200$ if you are going to replace it. It’s not considered a high price since it includes the labor and the lock itself.

You can save money if you have the required skills to replace it. You will need to purchase the lid lock and do it yourself.

5- Does the Washer Function Without A Lock?

Yes, a washer can run completely fine without a lock; however, it’s not recommended because the lock is considered an electronic mechanism. The lock prevents you from accidentally opening the door while the Washer runs.

It’s recommended that you don’t try to bypass the safety mechanism to avoid the door opening while the appliance is running and flooding your floor with water.

6- How to Fix A Washer Takes Forever to Fill?

The main reason the Washer takes forever to fill is a problem with one of the inlet hoses. The hose could have a clog or hole, making the machine lose one of its supplying hoses.

So, to fix this problem, you will need to check the valves and inlet hoses for any clogs or holes. Another thing to remember is the drain filter; you will need to check it for a clog.