How to Reset a Washing Machine: Every Brand Reset Method

Quick Answer

To reset a washing machine, unplug it for 60 seconds and plug it back in. For Whirlpool, lift the lid 6 times in 12 seconds. For Samsung, hold Start/Pause for 5 seconds. For LG, press Power, select a cycle, and press Start.

Every washer brand has its own reset quirks and the universal unplug trick doesn't always cut it. Samsung needs 5 full minutes unplugged, not 60 seconds. Whirlpool top-loaders have that weird lid-lift dance. LG front-loaders want you cycling the door. Skip the right reset and you'll be chasing phantom error codes for an hour when it should've taken two minutes.

GenericWasher80% DIY Success

How to Reset Your Generic Washer

Resetting a washer sounds simple until you're standing there hitting buttons and nothing's happening. Different brands have totally different methods, and some of them are genuinely weird. I've seen people unplug a Samsung for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wonder why the E4 code is still there. Brand matters here. A lot.

Common Causes

The control board froze mid-cycle, usually after a brief power flicker, and it's just stuck in a state it can't get out of on its own.
An error code tripped and cleared the actual problem, but the code itself is still sitting in memory blocking the next cycle from starting.
A power outage killed the cycle mid-spin and now the machine doesn't know where it left off, so it's just sitting there blinking at you.
The door lock or lid sensor got confused, usually after someone opened the door too fast during a cycle, and now the machine thinks the door's both open and closed at the same time.
You interrupted a calibration cycle (on Whirlpool/Maytag especially) and now the load-sensing software is out of whack and won't balance properly.

Symptoms You May Notice

The display is stuck on the same time, like 14 minutes remaining, and it's been sitting there for 20 minutes without moving.
Machine just stops mid-cycle with no error code, door stays locked, and pressing Start does nothing.
An error code showed up, you fixed whatever caused it, but the code keeps coming back every time you try to start a new wash.
The washer is making a clicking or humming noise but the drum isn't moving, like it's trying to start but can't commit.
Display is completely blank or showing dashes even though it's plugged in and the outlet's working fine.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriver (for access panels if needed)Flathead screwdriver (for prying plastic trim clips)Phone timer (to time the 60-second unplug accurately)

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my washer erase my custom cycle settings?

Honestly, on most machines, no. A basic unplug reset just clears the error memory and any stuck cycle. Your saved custom wash settings on the control panel usually survive a soft reset just fine. The only time you'd lose custom settings is if you do a full factory reset on a Samsung or LG smart washer, and that's a different procedure you have to specifically choose from the settings menu. A simple unplug-and-replug won't touch any of that.

My Samsung keeps showing the same error code even after I unplugged it for 5 minutes. What now?

That means the code isn't a fluke, there's an actual hardware problem causing it. The reset just clears the stored code from memory, but if the faulty part is still broken, the machine will detect it again within the first cycle and throw the same code right back. Look up that specific Samsung error code and start diagnosing the actual cause. Common repeat offenders are the drain pump filter (check it first, it's easy), the door latch, and the water inlet valve.

How often should I be resetting my washing machine?

You shouldn't have to do it regularly at all. If you're resetting your washer more than once every couple months, something's wrong. Maybe it's power fluctuations in your house, in which case a good surge protector on the washer outlet is like $20 and totally worth it. Or maybe there's an underlying component starting to fail that's triggering codes intermittently. A healthy washer that's on a stable circuit should go years without needing a reset.

The reset worked but now my washer won't spin properly. Did I break something?

No, the reset didn't break it. What probably happened is the reset cleared a code that was masking a balance or load-sensing issue. Whirlpool and Maytag machines especially do this: the control board was so focused on the stuck error that it was ignoring a drum calibration problem underneath. After the reset, that secondary issue shows up. Try running the calibration mode specifically: on Whirlpool that's the CCW 3 clicks, CW 1, CCW 1, CW 1 sequence with the lights flashing, then just let it run through. That recalibrates the load sensor.

My washer's display is completely blank. Is a reset even possible?

If the display is totally blank, first check the obvious stuff: the outlet is live (test it with something else), the power cord isn't damaged, and the door is fully latched. On some front-loaders the machine won't even power on if the door latch sensor is broken. If all that checks out and you're still getting nothing, try the reset anyway since sometimes a full power drain fixes a hung board. Unplug for 5 full minutes. If it's still blank after that, you're probably looking at a control board replacement or a blown thermal fuse on the board itself.

Does the reset method differ for front-load versus top-load washers?

Sometimes yeah, especially with Whirlpool and LG. The famous Whirlpool lid-lift reset only works on top-loaders because, obviously, front-loaders don't have lids. LG front-loaders have a door-cycling method that mimics the same idea. Samsung's method is actually pretty consistent across both types, hold Start/Pause and unplug. GE is the same either way too. When in doubt, the 60-second unplug works on front-load or top-load, any brand. That's always your starting point.

Models Known to Experience HOW-RESET Errors

This repair applies to most Generic washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

WTW5000DW (Whirlpool top-load, needs lid-lift reset), WF45R6100AW (Samsung front-load, needs 5-min unplug), WM3900HWA (LG front-load, door-cycle reset), GTW685BSLWS (GE top-load, Start hold reset), MVW4505MW (Maytag top-load, same as Whirlpool method), WTW8000DW (Whirlpool Cabrio, CCW/CW selector reset), 796.41413210 (Kenmore, LG-built, use LG method), 110.27132410 (Kenmore, Whirlpool-built, use Whirlpool method)

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026