A washer lid switch is the safety switch that tells a washing machine's control the lid is closed before it will spin. Front-load washers use a door lock assembly instead, which latches the door during the cycle. Many newer top-loaders also lock the lid. If either part fails, the washer will not start or spin.
Why it matters to you
A failed lid switch or door lock is one of the most common reasons a washer fills but will not spin, stops mid-cycle, or traps clothes behind a locked door. The part is small, but the machine is out of service until it is fixed.
Practical guidance
Never bypass a lid switch or door lock, because it keeps hands away from a spinning drum. If a front-load door stays locked after a cycle, wait a few minutes and check for standing water before calling for repair.