Reporters working at the White House said a woman had been arrested.
"An individual threw a metal object over the north fence line at the White House," the Secret Service said in a statement after the approximately three-hour lockdown ended.
"Secret Service uniformed division officers immediately apprehended the individual without incident."
Officials said they conducted "protective sweeps" of the object but determined it was not a threat.
"The White House has returned to normal operations," the Secret Service said.