GE GFW655 front-load washer will not start because the door or lid will not lock

The checks in more detail

Look at the hook for a crack or a bend and at the lock for a loose part. The door may sag on its hinges, which makes the hook miss its slot; check that the gap around the door is even and the door is level. If the washer is not level, the door may not align, so adjust the feet. After a power cut, the lock may remain engaged or disengaged until the control resets; unplug the washer for a minute and plug it in again. GE front-loaders have a door lock assembly with a switch and a heating element that locks the door, and the assembly can fail, so the washer reports the door is open though it is closed.

A failed lock is a common repair, and the part is inexpensive; a technician or a confident owner can replace it with the washer unplugged, following the manual. Do not bypass the lock. If the washer will not unlock after a cycle, wait a few minutes, since the lock stays on until the drum stops and the water has drained, then open the door. Contact GE with the model and serial number if the door will not lock or unlock after these checks. The GFW655 is a front-load washer with a large 4.8 cubic foot drum, and it is easy to overfill, which pushes clothes against the door and stops the latch seating.

Fill the drum to about three quarters, and keep the clothes loose. On this model, the touch panel shows a message when the door is open, so watch it as you close the door to see whether the message clears. The door glass is heavy, and the hinges can loosen with use, so check the hinge screws on the door side with a screwdriver and tighten any that are loose. After washing, leaving the door ajar for a while lets the seal dry and keeps mold away, but make sure it is closed firmly before the next cycle. If you hear a click and the display still says the door is open, the lock switch is probably the fault.