Whirlpool washer door will not unlock and F71

Justin Duby

• 370 Answers
• Posted on Nov 21, 2008

SOURCE: Whirlpool Duett Front load washer, DFL code door won't unlock?

Here are the steps to unlocking the door manually
1.Unplug machine
2.remove bottom panel
3.Reach up along the inside of the front panel and locate the botttom of the door latch assembly
4.Located on the bottom of the door latch assembly is a tear dropped shaped tab
5. Gently pull down on the tab about a 1/4 inch or until a click is heard.
6. You may now open the door.

This code means the door lock mechanism has failed or the central control unit has failed. Replace the door lock mech. first. This should fix the problem. (before replacing anything make sure there is no obstruction around the switch or in the switch.) After the machine has been unplugged it may fix itself. if not replace door lock mech.

Wilton Itamoto

• 20 Answers
• Posted on Nov 09, 2009

SOURCE: WFW9200 whirlpool front loading washer flashing F71.

Replace the MCU

SOURCE: Whirlpool washer doesn't unlock the door at the

Hi There
I have found this for you to read. it's door unlock error. Hope this helpful and let me know how it goes.
F/dU Door Unlock Error
A Door Unlock Error occurs if the door cannot be unlocked. It will try to unlock the door 6 times before displaying the error.

• Door Lock Mechanism broken.
• Check Door Lock/Switch Assembly for foreign objects
• Check Wire Harness connections to the Door Lock/Switch Assembly and Central Control Unit (CCU)
• Door Lock/Switch Assembly Failure

SOURCE: flashing code F71 then F70

We've owned a Whirlpool Duet Washer (WFW9200SQ00) for about 3 years. We started getting the F70 error code intermittently about 6 months ago and it seems to progressively be getting worse. Unplugging the unit for a few minutes resets the error, but it comes back about every 2nd or 3rd load causing my wife a lot of frustration and with 4 kids, our laundry was backing up. After reading several Forum's, I found the F70 error code indicates a "heartbeat" communication error between the various electronic boards inside the washer and the consensus seems to be the most likely culprit is the Motor Control Unit (MCU) board. Before spending nearly $250 for a replacement board (http://www.helpfulparts.com/servlet/the-5733/8183196/Detail) with no guarantee that it would fix the problem, I decided to take the board out of the machine and inspect it. What I found is the connector for the communication (the connector with three blue wires) on this board is a very unreliable connector that uses the edge of the printed circuit board on one side of the connection instead of a real connector soldered to the board. In addition, the fit of this connector seems to loose to make a good connection. I noticed a little bit of corrosion on the board contacts which I cleaned with rubbing alcohol and a pencil eraser. After re-installing the cleaned board we've done several loads with (keeping my fingers crossed) no errors. I am still concerned about the reliability of this connection. Because of it's location, this board is subject to a fair amount of vibration and because of the loose fit I'm concerned that this issue will only come back over time. I've already decided that if the error comes back I will solder wires to the contacts on the board to provide a more robust connection. It's a shame that you can spend well over $1,000 on a top of the line washer, and in order to save $.10 Whirlpool decided to use a very poor connector in a critical area. It makes you wonder where else did they skimp to save a few pennies?!! Our next washer will not be a Whirlpool, and next time will not get a high end washer with all the bells and whistles.

SOURCE: F71 code on whirlpool duet front loader washer

The F70 and F71 error codes on this model of washer indicates a communication problem between the user interface control board and the central control unit (main control board). These error codes can sometimes be caused by a power surge or glitch through the electrical lines. Try unplugging the washer to completely disconnect electrical power. Wait 1 minute and then plug the washer back in to the see if the fault code clears. If it does, then the washer may work normally.

If the code reappears, then you could have a wire harness connection problem, a failed user interface control board or a failed central control unit. I recommend calling a service technician to properly diagnose and repair this type of problem so that the correct component can be replaced.


Be sure your unit is plugged into a 3 prong grounded outlet as well.


F71 is a "heatbeat failure" which means that your front interface control board is shorted and will need to be replaced. it's actually fairly easy to replace and can definitely be done by yourself. To access the part, just pull the unit forward and remove the 3 screws coming in from the back of the top panel. Remove the top panel by pulling it back, up, and off. Then remove all the screws going into the top of the control panel. Remove the dispenser drawer and remove the screws coming in through the dispenser. Remove the screws coming from the inside of the dryer going forward into the control panel, then remove the control panel (it's just clipped in on the bottom. After that you can disconnect the wire harnesses to the front interface control board and replace that part.


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