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ErrBase

Maytag Bravos Washer Lid Lock Blinking

Quick Answer

To stop the blinking light, try a hard reset by unplugging the washer for one minute. If it persists, check the plastic lid strike for damage or enter diagnostic mode to test the lid lock assembly and view stored error codes.

If you just leave it blinking, the machine won't run at all. It's a hard lockout. Most of the time when I show up for this call it clears with a reset and a look at the plastic lid strike, which is a $15 part. But if it keeps coming back after the reset, you've probably got a dead solenoid inside the latch assembly. That part's usually under $35 and the whole swap takes about 20 minutes.

MaytagWasherSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate88% DIY Success
Time to Fix
15–45 min
Difficulty
intermediate
Parts Cost
$6 – $95
Tools Needed
1/4 inch nut driver, Putty knife or flat plastic pry tool

What Does the LID-LOCK-BLINK Code Mean?

Here's the thing about Bravos washers specifically. These machines are way pickier about lid alignment than older top-loaders. I've pulled the lid strike off a machine that looked totally fine and found a hairline crack on the back side you'd never catch without removing it. That crack keeps the strike from seating deep enough to trigger the sensor, and the board just panics and kills power to the motor. The blinking is it telling you it gave up trying.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Faulty Lid Lock Assembly65%
Damaged Lid Strike20%
Loose Wiring Harness10%
Main Control Board Failure5%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • The lid lock light blinks in a steady repeating pattern, usually 3 blinks then a pause, starting the moment you try to begin a cycle
  • Machine makes two or three clicking sounds right at the start like it's trying to engage the lock, then goes quiet and just sits there blinking
  • You start a load, it fills with water, runs for a few minutes, then the whole machine goes dead mid-cycle and you come back to wet clothes sitting in standing water
  • Cycle finishes but the lid stays physically locked and won't release, sometimes holding for 10 or 15 minutes before you can open it
  • F5 E1 fault code on the display, or just the blinking lid lock light with nothing else shown depending on the model year

Can you reset a Maytag washer to clear the LID-LOCK-BLINK code?

Unplug the washer and leave it for a full 60 seconds. Plug it back in, then lift and lower the lid six times within 12 seconds. Quick open, quick close, six times. The board reads that sequence as a manual sensor check and clears the active fault. Wait about 30 seconds before starting a cycle so the board can finish its startup routine.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

1/4 inch nut driverPutty knife or flat plastic pry toolMultimeter (continuity and voltage modes)Phillips #2 screwdriverSmall flathead screwdriverNeedle-nose pliers

Service / Diagnostic Mode

With the washer in standby (plugged in, not running), rotate the cycle selector knob: Left 1 click, Right 3 clicks, Left 1 click, Right 1 click. Do it steady, not rushed. All indicator lights will flash at once to confirm you're in. Rotate to Sensing and press Start to run component tests or read stored fault codes like F5 E1.

Diagnostic Checklist

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

ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range40–120 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name
Lid Lock Assembly · $45–$95
Lid Strike · $6–$18

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Bravos lid lock light flashing and the washer won't start?
The machine tried to engage the lock three times, got no confirmation the pin seated, and gave up. It's a safety lockout because it's not going to let that drum spin at 800 RPM with the lid potentially open. So it blinks to tell you the lock circuit failed. Could be the solenoid, could be a cracked strike, could be a loose wire. Nine times out of ten it's the strike or the latch itself. Start with the reset and work through the diagnostic steps.
How do I bypass the lid lock on a Maytag Bravos?
Honestly, don't. I know you've got laundry piling up but these Bravos machines verify the lock using a resistance and timing signal, not a simple open or closed switch. A jumper wire doesn't replicate that signal. What actually happens is you blow the relay on the control board, which turns a $25 latch fix into a $150-200 board replacement. Not worth it. The repair is way cheaper than the workaround.
Can a bad control board cause the lid lock light to blink?
Yes, but it's pretty rare. Maybe 5% of the calls I get for this issue turn out to be the board. The relay that sends voltage to the lock burns out and even a brand-new latch gets zero power. But always rule out the mechanical stuff first. Replace the latch if the component test fails, check the wiring harness, do the full diagnostic sequence. If you've done all that and it's still blinking, then start thinking about the board.
How do I reset my Maytag Bravos washer after a lid lock error?
Unplug it for 60 seconds, plug it back in, then open and close the lid six times within about 12 seconds. That's the reset sequence for the Bravos VMW platform. It tells the board to clear the current fault and re-test the sensor. If you do that twice and the light comes right back on during the next cycle, the reset isn't your fix. Something mechanical or electrical actually needs to be repaired or replaced.
How long does it take to replace the lid lock assembly on a Bravos?
About 20 minutes once you've got the part in hand. Pop the top panel with a putty knife, disconnect the four-pin harness, remove two screws, swap the lock, plug everything back in. The part is W10619844 for most Bravos models and runs $20-35 depending on where you order it. If a repair shop is quoting you more than 45 minutes of labor for this job, that's high. It's genuinely one of the easier washer repairs out there.

Models Known to Experience LID-LOCK-BLINK Errors

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

MVWB835DW, MVWB765FW, MVWB955FC, MVWB880BW, MVWX655DW, MVWB700BW, MVWX500XW, MVWB450WQ

MS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026