Whirlpool Washing Machine Stuck Washplate Removal

Unplug the washer before disassembly, and keep the plug out of reach.

Turn off the water supply valves if you plan to swap hoses or work with the lid open for extended periods.

Use a flathead screwdriver to pry up and remove the center cap from the washplate.

Use a ratchet with a 16 mm or 7/16 inch socket to remove the transmission screw or bolt in the center of the washplate.

Use an impact gun to loosen the bolt if it’s seized and a hand ratchet won’t break it free.

Pour about 1 to 1.5 cups of citric acid powder into the tub.

Fill the tub with hot water to help loosen debris and buildup under the washplate.

Run a regular wash cycle with the hottest water setting available to help the citric acid work under the washplate.

Fill the tub with hot water and use the washer’s test mode if you want agitation or spin without quickly pumping out the citric-acid water.

Run a cold cycle with the hot and cold supply lines swapped if the washer won’t request hot water in the mode you need.

Use a Torx screwdriver to remove the lid lock striker from the lid.

Insert the striker into the lid lock to trick the washer into thinking the lid is closed.

Enter the washer’s service test system and select a manual test mode.

Engage the lid lock in the test mode, since agitation and spin won’t run without it.

Select a gentle mode and press the Start button to begin agitation.

Repeat the agitation test as needed, since this test typically only runs agitation for about a minute.

Press Start to stop the test and switch to spin mode, or another desired mode, when you want to change the motion.

Use a drain mode to pump out the dirty citric-acid water before attempting removal.

Wipe off splashed debris from the lid and rim so it doesn’t fall back into the tub while you work.

Use a trampoline spring tool to hook into the washplate’s plastic holes or edges and pull upward.

File down the tool’s tip slightly so it fits and bites into the plastic better than a standard screwdriver.

Work around the washplate, pulling from different points instead of trying to yank from a single spot.

Try sliding a putty knife under the washplate if you need a thinner tool, but expect limited grip on some plates.

Refill the tub with water and add more citric acid at a lower concentration if the plate is still stuck.

Repeat agitation and spin test runs to gradually loosen the plate instead of forcing it off in one attempt.

Add more citric acid and an orange degreaser to the tub if buildup is still binding the plate.

Roll the liquid around the tub and push the washplate back and forth until it breaks free.

Lift the washplate out of the tub once it releases.

Inspect and clean the area under the washplate, since the citric acid should have loosened and floated debris.