How to Fix a Lid Switch And Door Latch for a Washer With Draining Issues

If you are experiencing issues with the water in your washer failing to drain, the door latch (front load washer) or lid switch (top load washer) might be defective. The switch/latch is responsible for keeping your washing machine locked. If it is faulty, your washer will not be able to advance to its spin cycle and will therefore leave your clothes soaking in water. But the good news is that you can easily fix this problem yourself!

Our straightforward guide will walk you through finding the lid switch/door latch on your washer and inspecting it. If the switch/latch needs to be replaced, we’ll show you exactly how you can do that to restore full functionality back to your washer. We do not recommend attempting to bypass the lid switch or door latch as this is a hazard to your safety.

What is a Lid Switch and Door Latch?

In top load washers, the lid switch is a safety feature that stops the washer from spinning if the lid is open. Top-loading washers will only drain and spin if the lid is securely closed.

Similarly, in front load washers, the door latch detects whether the lid is open, and the lock ensures that the lid stays shut while the washer is in use to prevent accidents or messes. Both the lid switch and the door latch detect whether the lid on your washing machine is safely closed, which allows the wash cycle to begin. The lid switch and the door latch assembly can succumb to mechanical or electrical failure. You will need to inspect your washing machine to determine what might be causing the lid switch failure.

Where is the Lid Switch and Door Latch Located?

General Location of the Lid Switch in a Top Load Washer

On a top load washer, you can find the lid switch mounted to the underside of the cabinet top panel. While it is seen at the upper left corner of the panel in the following 3D diagram, it may be located at any of the other corners.

General Location of the Door Latch in a Front Load Washer

On a front load washer, you can find the door latch on the right-hand side of the front panel around the door opening.

How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Lid Switch

1. As with all repairs, you must begin by unplugging your washer and shutting off the water valves.
2. Check for a mechanical failure first by examining the door strike. When you close the lid, the strike is the small part that inserts into an opening in the cabinet top and presses down on the lid switch. Check to see if the strike is damaged. If it is, it will need to be replaced as it is not repairable.
3. If there is no damage to the strike, you will need to examine the lid switch itself for any damage and test it for continuity using a multimeter. You will need to open the washing machine and find the lid switch assembly to do this.
4. You may need to remove the top of your machine to access the lid switch as it is typically located under the top of your washer. First, grab a putty knife and a screwdriver (an extended shaft is preferred).
5. Open the top of the washer and locate the wire harness connection for the lid switch and release the locking tab to disconnect the wire harness. On some washers, you may need to follow the wiring harness from the switch back to where it connects electrically.
6. Take your multimeter and touch a probe to each terminal on the lid switch. With the lid closed there should be continuity and with the lid open there should be no continuity. If neither of these happens, then the lid switch has failed and will need to be replaced.

How to Install a New Lid Switch

1. Follow the steps for ‘How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Lid Switch in a Top Load Washing Machine’ to access the lid switch.
2. Pull the lid switch assembly wire harness plug out of the control panel.
3. Install your new lid switch and reconnect the wire harness connection.
4. Reinstall the console/control panel and close the washer top to see if the lid switch engages.
5. Turn on the water supply valves and plug the washer into the electrical outlet.

How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Door Latch

1. Begin by unplugging your washer and shutting off the water valves.
2. Check for a mechanical failure first by examining the door lock actuator. When you close the lid, the actuator is the small part that inserts into the door latch. First, check to see if it is damaged. If it is, it will need to be replaced as it is not repairable.
3. If there is no damage to the door lock actuator, you will need to examine the door latch itself for any damage and test it for continuity using a multimeter.
4. Open the door of your washer and locate the wire clamp behind the door boot that holds the door boot in place. Tuck the blade inside and underneath the clamp, and carefully roll it out.
5. Next, peel the door boot away from the front panel and tuck it inside the opening of the machine.
6. Reach inside the machine to find the harness connector to the door latch on the right-hand side of the machine.
7. Once you have located the connector, pull it down and off the door latch.
8. Carefully take the old door latch and put it aside. At this point, you can test the door latch for continuity using a multimeter.
9. Take a multimeter and touch the two probes on the multimeter to the terminals on the door latch. If the reading is not within range or there is no reading, then the part has failed and will need to be replaced.

How to Install a New Door Latch

1. Follow the steps for ‘How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Door Latch in a Front Load Washing Machine’ to remove your old door latch.
2. If you have already removed your old door latch to test it for continuity and it has failed, discard it.
3. Take your new door latch and attach it to the harness connector until you hear the locking tab engage.
4. Put it back in position inside the machine and secure it.
5. Pull the door boot out from inside the machine and ensure that it sits right over the edge of the front panel. Secure the door boot with the wire clamp.
6. Once it is properly installed, it should lie flush against the front panel.
7. Plug your machine back in, and your repair is complete.

Next: Troubleshooting the Pressure Switch

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