# How to Fix Speed Queen Error E (Door Lock Error)
If your Speed Queen washing machine displays the error code “E” (often seen on commercial or newer residential models), it is communicating a fundamental safety failure: the machine cannot verify the status of the door lock.
This safety mechanism ensures the drum does not spin at high speeds while the door is ajar, or if the door is stuck locked when it needs to be opened. When this error appears, the machine will usually pause the cycle and refuse to proceed.
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## 1. Explanation: What Error “E” Means
The Error “E” specifically stands for a **Door Lock Error**.
This means the control board is not receiving the correct electrical signal from the door lock assembly (also called the door latch or door switch).
**The three most common reasons for this error are:**
1. **Obstruction:** The door is not closing fully due to trapped laundry or foreign objects.
2. **Transient Glitch:** A momentary power surge or electronic miscommunication.
3. **Failed Assembly:** The Door Lock Assembly itself (the part inside the frame) has mechanically failed or the internal switch is faulty.
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## 2. Step-by-Step Fix: How to Diagnose and Clear the Error
Before assuming the part is broken, follow these troubleshooting steps from simplest to most complex.
### Step 1: Check for Physical Obstruction
Ensure the door is completely clear and seated properly.
1. **Open and Reseal:** Open the washing machine door and check the area where the door latch meets the strike plate (the opening on the machine frame).
2. **Remove Items:** Pull back any rubber gasket material (boot) and remove any small items (socks, underwire, coins, etc.) that might be blocking the latching mechanism.
3. **Listen for the Click:** Close the door firmly. You should hear a distinct mechanical *click* indicating the latch is fully engaged.
### Step 2: Perform a Power Reset (The 5-Minute Trick)
Electronic control boards can sometimes glitch. A hard reset can clear temporary errors.
1. **Unplug:** Locate the machine’s power cord and unplug it from the wall socket. **Do not just turn the machine off.**
2. **Wait:** Leave the machine unplugged for a minimum of 5 minutes. This allows any residual electrical charge to dissipate from the control board.
3. **Plug In:** Plug the machine back into the outlet.
4. **Test:** Attempt to start a new cycle. If the error was transient, it should be cleared.
### Step 3: Visually Inspect the Door Lock Assembly
If the error persists after a reset, you need to check the physical condition of the assembly.
1. **Inspect the Latch:** Look closely at the plastic piece on the door that slides into the machine. If this plastic is bent, broken, or heavily corroded, it won’t engage the switch properly.
2. **Inspect the Strike Plate:** Shine a flashlight into the hole on the machine frame (where the latch enters). Look for broken plastic or metal components inside the opening. If you see visible damage, the internal Door Lock Assembly is the issue.
### Step 4: Access and Test the Door Lock Assembly (Advanced)
If the visual inspection is inconclusive, the electrical switch within the assembly has likely failed and requires replacement.
***Safety Warning:** Always unplug the machine before disassembling any parts.*
1. **Access:** On most Speed Queen models, the Door Lock Assembly is accessed by removing two or three screws holding the top panel of the washing machine in place, or by carefully pulling back the door gasket (boot) and accessing the screws from the front.
2. **Disconnect:** Carefully disconnect the electrical harness leading to the door lock assembly.
3. **Test (Optional, Requires Multimeter):** If you have a multimeter, you can test the assembly for continuity. When the switch is depressed (simulating a locked door), the control pins should show continuity. If they do not, the assembly is definitely bad.
4. **Replace:** Because the Door Lock Assembly is a contained unit involving both mechanical components and an electrical switch, it is standard practice to replace the entire assembly when the Error E persists.
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Check the price for a replacement Door Lock Assembly here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Speed Queen+Door Lock Assembly&tag=trivian-20