# Washer won't start, door won't lock or won't open | XT Appliances Warren

Source: https://warren.xtappliances.com/washer-repair/wont-start

XT Appliances · Warren

# Washer won't start, door won't lock or won't open

Usually the door lock on a front-loader or the lid lock on a newer top-loader; if the washer is completely dead, it's often the breaker or outlet.

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A washer won't start a cycle until it has power and has confirmed the lid or door is shut. On front-loaders and newer top-loaders that confirmation comes from a lock, so a failed lock stops everything and can look like a dead machine.

### Completely dead, no lights

Start at the wall. A tripped breaker, a tripped GFCI outlet or a loose plug is a far more common cause of a dead washer than a failed board. Reset the breaker once, and if it trips again, leave it off and call. Look at the plug and cord for scorching or melted plastic. Some washers also have a thermal fuse inside the cabinet, which we check on the visit.

### Lights on, but it won't go

On a front-loader, listen as you press start. The door lock should click shut and stay locked. If it doesn't, or the washer beeps and shows a door or lock error, the lock or its plastic latch hook is the likely fault, so check the hook on the door for a crack. The same lock can keep the door shut after the cycle. If water is still sitting in the drum, though, the washer keeps the door locked on purpose, and the real fault is the drain.

Newer Whirlpool and Maytag top-loaders lock the lid with a small motor. Clicking or straining from the lid at the start, then a stop with an F5 E2 or F5 E1 code, points at the lid lock, and so does a lid stuck shut when the cycle ends. Older top-loaders use a plain lid switch with no motor and no code. A bad one usually lets the washer fill and drain but not spin.

If the lid or door locks and then nothing happens, check that both water faucets behind the washer are on. A washer with no water coming in can look like it never started.

If the lights are on but the buttons or the display don't respond, the control panel is the suspect. The main control board comes last. We replace it only when the part it runs tests good and the board still isn't sending it power.

On the visit we confirm power at the outlet and cord, test the door or lid lock and its signal to the control, and only then look at the boards.

## What it usually turns out to be

1.  Part**Door lock (front-load)**A front-loader won't start until its door lock confirms the door is locked. A cracked latch hook or a failed lock means no start, often with a door or lock error, or a door that won't release at the end.
2.  Part**Motorized lid lock (newer top-load)**Newer Whirlpool and Maytag top-loaders lock the lid with a small motor at the start of the cycle. Clicking then a stop, an F5 E2 or F5 E1 code, or a lid stuck shut at the end points at the lock.
3.  Cleaning or upkeep**No power: breaker, GFCI or cord**No lights at all usually means power isn't reaching the washer. A tripped breaker, a tripped GFCI outlet or a loose or burnt plug is far more common than a failed board.
4.  Part**Control board or control panel**Lights on but buttons that do nothing point at the control panel. We blame the main board last, only after the part it drives tests good and still isn't getting power.

## Try this first

*   Check the breaker, and if the outlet has test and reset buttons, press reset.
*   Make sure the plug is pushed fully into the outlet and the plug and cord aren't scorched or melted.
*   Close the door or lid firmly, and on a front-loader look at the latch hook on the door for cracks.
*   Write down any error code on the display. It helps us bring the right part.

Stop using it and call now if

*   The breaker trips every time it runs
*   A scorched, melted or loose plug or cord
*   A burning smell from the washer

[Call (636) 367-1968](tel:+16363671968)

## Other washer problems

*   [Washer won't drain, water left in the tub](https://warren.xtappliances.com/washer-repair/wont-drain)
*   [Washer won't spin or spins slowly](https://warren.xtappliances.com/washer-repair/wont-spin)
*   [Washer leaking from the door or underneath](https://warren.xtappliances.com/washer-repair/leaking)
*   [Washer shaking, banging or walking on spin](https://warren.xtappliances.com/washer-repair/shaking-banging)

Or go back to [washer repair in Warren](https://warren.xtappliances.com/washer-repair).

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