Unexpected flashing lights on your appliances are never a good sign! They often indicate an error, and it can be difficult to know exactly what they mean. So if you’ve noticed the lock light flashing on your Whirlpool washer, you might be worried it indicates a serious problem. Don’t panic just yet, however! Our easy-to-follow guide will walk you through the most common causes of a Whirlpool washer with a flashing light, as well as some easy fixes for the issues.
This guide applies to all major models of Whirlpool washers, including:
2LA5700XMW0
2LA5700XMW1
2LSR5233BN0
2LSR5233BQ1
2LSR5233BW0
2LSR5233BZ1
3CA2000XMW0
GHW9100LW1
GHW9100LW2
GHW9150PW0
GHW9150PW4
GHW9200LW0
LSQ8243HQ0
LSR7233EQ0
LSR8233EQ0
LXR9245EQ1
WFW72HEDW0
WFW9150WW00
WTW4800XQ2
WTW4800XQ4
WTW5000DW1
So, what does a flashing lock light indicate? In most cases, it means that there is an issue with the way your Whirlpool washer is sensing the door lock mechanism. It could be sensing it as open even though it’s firmly closed, or it could be having electrical issues. Let’s look a little closer at what can cause this.
In top-loading machines, the lid has a lid switch which detects whether or not the washer lid is closed. This stops the washer from spinning and agitating while the lid is open. This is important as it prevents accidents caused by touching the machine’s interior while it is operating. It also prevents water from splashing out while the machine is operating, which can make a mess and also cause damage to the flooring and surrounding drywall. When there’s an issue with the lid switch, your washer may interpret that the lid is open incorrectly, which triggers the lock light to flash.
To diagnose if this is the issue, first visually inspect the switch for any obvious damage. Also, listen for an audible click when you close the lid. The absence of a click indicates an issue. Lastly, use a multimeter to test the lid switch for continuity—a lack of continuity means the switch needs replacing.
To solve the issue:
In a front loader, the door latch prevents leaks and stops the door from opening while the washer is operating. The washer won’t begin a cycle when the door is not locked. If the lock light is flashing but the door appears to be closed, it indicates an issue with the door latch.
To diagnose this issue, check the latch for any grime or debris that might be stopping the latch from fully engaging. Also, listen for an audible click when you close the door.
To fix the issue:
The child lock feature on a Whirlpool washer is designed to prevent children from using the washer unsupervised. When the washer is activated, the child lock means that it can’t be opened and the cycle can’t be changed. If the lock light is flashing, it could mean that the child lock is activated accidentally, and you’ll need to remove the lock before continuing.
To fix this:
If your home experiences a power surge or other type of power fluctuation, then it can cause your Whirlpool washer to malfunction. This can include a flashing lock light. If you’ve been out of your house, it’s possible that your home experienced a power surge or power outage without you knowing about it, so it’s worthwhile investigating whether this is the issue.
Fixing this issue is as simple as resetting your washer. To do this:
If nothing else works to fix the issue, there may be a problem with the control board. It can be costly and difficult to replace the control board of a washing machine, so only do this if your washer is in otherwise good condition. If it is getting old or has other issues, you should think about replacing the machine instead.
To fix:
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