How to Unlock a Maytag Refrigerator

Side-by-side Maytag refrigerators often come with a water and ice dispenser mounted in the left door. Some of the higher-end ones have an electronic control panel that allows you to control several functions, including ice cube size, freezer temperature and interior lighting. Underneath is a lever that dispenses ice and water. The control panel features a lock button that disables all these features without turning off the power to the refrigerator. When the Maytag refrigerator dispenser is locked, children or pets can't inadvertently dispense water or change any of the control board settings.

You come home after a long day at work, place your glass under the ice dispenser and press the lever, but the Maytag refrigerator ice maker isn't dispensing. Opting to settle for cold water instead of ice for your favorite cocktail, you press the water dispenser button and still, nothing happens.

The dispenser probably isn't broken, and if not, you'll see a locked padlock displayed on the control panel screen. Someone must have locked the dispenser while you were away, but it's just a minor annoyance because it's as easy to unlock the refrigerator as it is to lock it.

The procedure for locking and unlocking your refrigerator is as easy as setting a digital clock — probably easier. Note the Lock button on the control panel, which is usually the second button from the left. Press and hold it for three seconds. You'll see a countdown from three to one on the screen, and when the countdown is complete, you'll see an unlocked padlock on the screen and you'll be able to get your ice or water.

To lock the control panel, including the water and ice dispensers, you simply reverse the procedure. Hold the Lock button for three seconds, wait for the countdown to finish and the locked padlock will reappear. Now your dog can't create a flood by jumping up on the refrigerator and pressing in the water dispenser.

You can use the control panel to disable specific functions without locking the water dispenser, as described in your Maytag refrigerator user instructions. For example, if you're going on vacation, you can disable the cooling function by simultaneously pressing the Lock button and the Filter Reset button, which is the one next to it, for three seconds. If you want to turn off the icemaker, simultaneously press the Temp and PowerCold buttons, which are the two middle ones, for three seconds.

The need to reset the entire control panel is rare, but you may have to if you make a major repair. To do this, you need the Maytag refrigerator reset code, which is displayed on the label inside the refrigerator that also displays the model number. The procedure depends on the model, so it's best to consult your owner's manual, but it's usually something like the following:

• Open the doors.
• Press the Door Alarm and Temperature Down buttons simultaneously and release the Door Alarm button.
• Wait three seconds, release the button and you should see PE on the display, which indicates the control panel is in programming mode.
• Press the Temperature Down button once more and the reset code will be displayed. It should be the same as the one on the label. If not, use the Temperature Up and Temperature Down buttons to change it.
• Exit programming mode by closing the refrigerator doors.