The Amana NTW4516 locks its lid to allow higher spin speeds, and the guide explains the Lid Locked light: lit means locked and it cannot be opened, blinking means the washer is paused, off means the lid can be opened. During the wash the lid stays unlocked through the whole agitation, then locks before the spin. To open it after that you press Start/Stop/Pause/Unlock Lid and wait: the lid only unlocks after movement stops, which can take several seconds to several minutes depending on when in the cycle you pause.
Differential
Likely causes of “Amana NTW4516 top-load washer door or lid will not unlock”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The basket is still spinning
What separates it The Lid Locked light is on or blinking after pressing pause
How to confirm Wait; it may take several minutes after a high-speed spin
- 2
The cycle is in its locked spin phase
What separates it The light is on steadily during the spin because the cycle is in its locked spin phase
How to confirm Press Start/Stop/Pause/Unlock Lid and wait for the light to go out
- 3
The lid is not fully closed
What separates it The Lid Locked light flashes and the washer will not start
How to confirm Close the lid; the washer will not start or fill with it open
- 4
A control that needs a reset
What separates it The cycle is over but the lid stays locked
How to confirm Unplug the washer for five minutes and plug back in, as Amana's Product Help advises
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What the Lid Locked light is doing
- How long since you pressed pause and what stage the cycle was in
- Whether the lid is fully closed
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedRead the light
ReversibleRead the light, since lit means that the lid is locked, blinking means paused, and off means that you can open the lid.
Press pause and wait
ReversiblePress Start/Stop/Pause/Unlock Lid once; the lid unlocks only when the basket has stopped, which the guide says can take several minutes after a fast spin.
Do not interrupt a cleaning cycle
ReversibleThe guide asks you not to interrupt Clean Washer; if you must, press the button once.
Reset the control
ReversibleIf the cycle is done and the lid stays locked, unplug for five minutes and plug back in.
Call service if it repeats
ReversibleCall service if it repeats, and give them the model and serial number, and describe the light.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Late Lid Lock and adding garments
- Amana calls the lid arrangement a Late Lid Lock: the lid stays unlocked through the whole agitation portion of the wash and the cycle pauses automatically when it is opened and resumes when it is closed. To add one or two missed garments after the lid has locked, press Start/Stop/Pause/Unlock Lid, wait for the light to go out, add them, close the lid and press the button again.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the NFW5800 front-load washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the lid stays locked after a five-minute unplug and the light behavior repeats, call Amana service
- !If the lid or latch is damaged, stop using the washer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Amana's own table of top-load washer codes and resolutions.
Amana's own symptom articles for top-load washers, each.
A dealer listing giving the NTW4516FW's capacity, cabinet size and feature list.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is the lid locked on my Amana NTW4516?+
It locks before the spin to allow higher spin speeds, and unlocks only after the basket stops.
What does a blinking Lid Locked light mean?+
A blinking Lid Locked light means that the washer is paused, so wait or press Start.
How long can unlocking take?+
From several seconds to several minutes, depending on when you paused; a fast spin takes longest to stop.
Can I add clothes mid-wash?+
During agitation the lid stays unlocked and the cycle pauses when opened; after that, pause and wait for the unlock.
What if I leave the lid open?+
After 10 minutes the washer cancels and pumps the water out.
How do I cancel a cycle?+
Press and hold Start/Stop/Pause/Unlock Lid for 3 seconds.
Does the washer need a certain water temperature?+
Hot and cold water must reach the washer, so check that the hoses go to the right faucets.
How do I clean the drum?+
Wipe it with a damp cloth, and run a cleaning cycle from time to time to remove build up.