How to open a washing machine if it is locked: repair guide

When there is any malfunction in the washing machine, the automation can block the entire device. Then the task arises for the user - how to open the washing machine, if it is locked, without harm to the equipment and your own life? Agree, the problem is very relevant, so you need to be prepared for such a situation.

It is very important to find out the root cause of the malfunction. If it is not connected with the breakdown of key elements of the machine, then the user will be able to correct the situation independently. We will tell you how to act in a given situation.

The article lists the most likely causes of blocking and how to resolve them. In addition, the nuances of opening the doors of washing machines from different manufacturers are indicated, as well as cases where it is better to refuse an independent solution to the problem and seek help from a specialist are described.

Reasons for locking the door and fixing them

Whatever the root cause of the lock, remember that it is strictly forbidden to try to unlock the hatch by force. This is fraught with the fact that you may be shocked or the washing machine will require expensive repairs or its complete replacement. Let's analyze the main reasons.

Reason # 1 - auto lock at the end of the wash

Automatic locking is necessary in order to avoid personal injury and equipment damage. When the cycle is completed, the hatch will automatically open.

But often the user is faced with a situation that after stopping the drum it is not possible to get things off - the door does not lend itself. This is not a breakdown, just right after the end of the washing cycle, the hatch does not open.In this situation, you should wait 1-3 minutes, the duration depends on the model of the washer.

Temporary blocking is a precaution designed to stop and cool the drum of the machine and the locking device itself

If such a situation arises, do not even try to pull and pull the door - this way you will not solve the problem, but only break the hatch. You should wait for a characteristic click or melody, after which the door itself will open.

Reason # 2 - Software Failure

Failure in the program of the washing machine, unfortunately, is not uncommon. This happens for a number of reasons: due to power surges, frequent blackouts, and lack of water. Let us consider in more detail the procedure depending on the factor that led to the blocking.

Reason # 1. Lack of light. Switch off the unit immediately. Wait until the electrician is turned on, connect the device to the network and start spinning and rinsing, then the machine will turn off in operating mode when the cycle is completed.

If there is no light for a long time, then it makes sense on its own drain the water through a hose on the rear panel of the machine, having previously de-energized it. In this case, the door will open itself.

Before draining the water trapped in the drum through the hose, lay a soft cloth or towel under the bottom of the washing machine

Reason number 2. Board Failure . Turn off the machine while holding the ON / ON button, and then unplug the cord from the outlet.

You can connect the device to the network after 30 minutes, during which time the machine will have time to reboot.

If the electricity was turned off during the washing process, you should disconnect the machine from the network and drain the water yourself. After that, take out the laundry and wipe the drum

Reason number 3. Cut off the water. It is necessary to turn off the device, wait until the water appears and then connect the washer again.

Reason # 3 - problems with the lock

In most models, the washer has an option that allows you to protect the equipment from the encroachments of the growing heir. It is she who can cause the door to lock.

The "Child Lock" function has been activated. To disable this program, you can refer to the instructions - there is an algorithm for turning on / off this mode specifically for your model machine. Or just hold the "Start" button for 5-10 seconds and the hatch will unlock automatically.

The "Child Lock" feature protects your baby from injury. To disable it, refer to the instructions, which sets out the algorithm for pressing buttons

Castle breakage. The fact is that all machines without exception are equipped with a physical mechanism that locks the door. And it can break. If the error code indicates that the problem is in the failed lock and there is no water in the tank, then the door should be forced to open.

There are two ways to do this:

1. Unplug the washer. Take a cable or a very thick thread. Carefully pull it between the door and the body of the machine. After these actions, there will be pressure on the tongue of the lock, it will be released from the lock, and the door will swing open.
2. With the power off, remove the top cover. Find the lock (use a flashlight), and to make it easier to get to the door, tilt the washer slightly toward you. Then gently press the hook with your finger or a screwdriver. After clicking the hatch will open.

Technical Cause Guide

If the lock or water level sensor fails, an error code on the device’s screen will signal this. If you are confident in your abilities, you can carry out repairs yourself, otherwise call a specialist.

Instruction # 1 - drain the water from the tank

Many cars are programmed so that if there is liquid in the tank, the hatch will remain locked. Then you should merge it yourself.

The drain hose must be disconnected from the sewer and lower its free end into any container that must be set in advance below the tank level.

If you see that there is water left in the drum after washing, then immediately turn off the power to the machine. Use a forced drain hose

If the first method did not work, then you should inspect the filter, which is located on the front panel from the bottom.

It’s extremely simple: remove the decorative panel, unscrew the filter, tilt the washer and replace the basin, then get rid of the water, clean the filter and screw the part into place. Connect the program "Rinse" or "Spin".

If after these actions the water is still inside the drum, then the drain pump nozzle is clogged. To get to it, you need to put the washer with the back wall on the floor.

Pre-lay some soft rag or towel on the floor under the apparatus, so as not to damage the equipment. When access to the bottom of the device is obtained, it is not difficult to find a pipe. Unscrew the mount, disconnect the hose and remove the water.

Instruction # 2 - change the hatch lock mechanism

If the problem is with the locking device, then a complete replacement of the unusable part with a new spare part will be required.

The hatch lock device is one of the key parts of the washing machine. It is better to entrust a specialist to its repair or complete replacement.

Just follow the recommendations if you are confident in your abilities and decide to do it on your own:

1. Disconnect the machine. Lift the top cover of the machine and remove the screws that hold the blocking element. For convenience, tilt the machine and unlock the door with your hand by pushing the lock tab.
2. Remove the clamp fixing the door, and slightly move the right side of the cuff. Put your hand into the vacant opening and unscrew the screws.
3. Remember the sequence in which the lock device was removed. Now do the same in reverse order - set the working UBL.
4. Test after installation is complete. To do this, connect the machine and start the cycle.

When the door locks and opens after washing, then everything is done without errors.

Instruction # 3 - change a broken door handle

Sometimes a broken door handle can become a cause of blocking.

To begin, turn on emergency opening mode, if provided in your machine. Most manufacturers mount it at the bottom of the apparatus near the drain filter.

Visually - this is a cable or lever in orange or red, pulling which you can open the door. In addition, you can open the lock manually by disconnecting the top cover of the machine, or use the cable.

To replace the door handle of the washing hatch, carefully unscrew the bolts holding the entire door with a screwdriver, remove it and disassemble

It is possible to replace a broken handle with a new one yourself. When choosing a new part, pay attention to the model and brand of the washer.

The replacement itself does not take much time:

1. Remove the doorusing a screwdriver. Remove all the bolts that connect the parts of the door, and disassemble the hatch into two parts.
2. Gently pull out the glass and set aside. Fix (either schematically or in the photo) the arrangement of all parts so as not to confuse anything during the installation of the door.
3. Take out the handle, lock hook and spring.Using an awl or screwdriver, push down on the metal rod holding the handle.
4. Mount new handle: First, install a new spring, then a hook with a handle and a metal pin, at the end - a door.

It also happens that debris has accumulated in the drain hose, pump filter or the pump has broken. For this reason, part of the water was trapped inside, and the liquid level sensor does not work.

An error blinking on the display will inform you of this situation. First you need to inspect and, if necessary, clean the exhaust hose (it is located at the bottom of the machine). After this, you need to drain the water, and then the hatch will open.

To remove water trapped in the drum, gently disconnect the drain hose from the sewer and drain excess fluid

The situations described above are relevant if you have a machine installed with a horizontal boot method.

Instruction # 4 - unlock the vertical washer

If the user has a washing machine with a vertical type of loading and at one fine moment its door is locked, then you can try to solve this problem on your own. To do this, a number of manipulations have to be done.

Owners of washing machines with a vertical loading method should carefully close the drum. If this is not done, the machine will be blocked.

In order for such an aggregate to work again, it is necessary:

1. Disconnect the machine from the mains and water supply.
2. Move away from the wall.
3. Find a heater. To do this, remove the bolts on the back cover and remove it.
4. Then get the heater: remove the belt and disconnect the bolt holding it. Remove all wires that may interfere with work - so as not to further confuse the location of the wires, sign them.
5. Using a screwdriver, carefully remove the heater with sealing rubber. Please note that the elastic sometimes sticks to the body, so difficulties may arise.
6. Remove the heater from the machine and then carefully rotate the drum, so as not to damage the parts.
7. Install the heater back and connect all the wires.

To open a locked hatch, do not use additional tools, as they can damage the equipment.

In cars with a vertical type of loading, to get to the drum, unscrew and remove the heater. This way you can scroll the drum

When complete the replacement, start the wash again.

Unlock secrets for different brands of cars

For successful troubleshooting, you must carefully read the instructions for the washing machine, as the equipment from different manufacturers differs in its design.

Samsung. If this situation occurred with the model of this brand, and the drain and 30 minutes of reboot did not bring the desired result, that is, a problem with the removal of water.

You will need to drain the water forcefully using the emergency hose, it is located next to the filter. In addition, especially for such situations, some models provide cables for forcing the door to open.

For more information on troubleshooting Samsung washing machines, see this article.

LG. The machine of this brand just unlock by removing the "Castle from the children." To reset, as well as the settings, two modes should be activated simultaneously: “Super Rinse” and “Prewash”. After this, the cycle can be continued by selecting the “Start / Pause” button.

LG washing machines just unlock, to do this, remove the "Child Protection" mode or hold the Start button for a couple of seconds

Bosch. To unlock the washer of this brand, press the minus button. This method will work if your model has plus and minus buttons on the panel.

If the key is lit on the monitor and there is no way to change the mode, you need to hold the "Start" button for 5-10 seconds. After that, the hatch will open. Decoding error codes and tips for repairing Bosch equipment are given here.

Electrolux. All machines from this manufacturer are equipped with the “Pause” function, using which you can finish the wash ahead of schedule. If the water level in the drum reaches a certain mark, and the temperature drops below +50 ° C, the lock will automatically open.

Atlant. In the washers of this brand, an emergency hatch opening system is provided. To do this, a special cable is installed to open the door next to the filter for drainage.

To unlock the Atalnt machine, you must find the emergency opening device for the sunroof lock device. It is installed next to the water filter at the bottom of the apparatus.

Indesit. Owners of this brand’s washing machines should first check the presence of water in the drum. If it is missing, then you should restart the machine.

When there is no time and you need to quickly open the door - just gently pull the emergency cable, which is located at the bottom of the unit.

If there is water left inside the washer, activate the “Drain” mode. If this does not help, then you must manually remove water from the machine using the drain hose. After that, the machine unlocks automatically. If this does not happen, then use one of the above methods to force the hatch to open.

Ariston. In units of this manufacturer, the door is blocked due to power surges or as a result after a power outage.

To cope with such a breakdown on your own, you have to remove the water. Here, either an emergency unlocking cable or a manual drain of water will help you. Both parts are located in the lower right corner of the machine near the filter.

The instructions are spelled out Ariston error codes, probable causes of failure and possible solutions to the problem.

Due to the choice of the Baby, Silk or Easy Ironing programs, the drum may slow down or the water will not completely merge. To correct the situation, activate the “START / PAUSE” button or duplicate “Easy Ironing”.

Self Repair Restrictions

Compliance with elementary safety rules will save you and equipment from unforeseen emergencies.

What is absolutely not worth doing?

It is forbidden to carry out any work with the washing machine if it is energized. Otherwise, it may result in electric shock. In addition, a rotating drum can damage your hands when the hatch is open.

Do not try to force the door open, especially if there is water left in the tank. Possible electric shock, irreversible breakdown of equipment.

It is not recommended that without further study the instructions “decrypt” the error code, even if you are well versed in electronics, as you can ruin it completely. Be sure to read the instructions.

If the error code or the inscription “door” flashes on the machine’s display, then you should immediately refer to the instructions for decoding it

It is forbidden to break off any wires if you are not sure of their purpose, and to fix module breakdowns on your own (especially soldering anything, without experience with such equipment).

When should the wizard be called?

If there is no way to open the hatch by known methods without damaging the car, it's time to call specialists.

For example, the door handle has broken. It will be difficult for a user who does not have technical knowledge to choose a suitable part on his own.

The new handle to the hatch of the washer should be selected carefully, paying attention to the manufacturer and model of the machine on which you will mount the new part

A specialist will be required if there is still water left in the drum after washing. This may be due to the failure of the pump.

In the worst case, the reason may lie in the failure of the board or water sensor. Failures of such a plan will be eliminated only by an experienced master.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The specialist clearly demonstrates the universal way, thanks to which everyone can open the locked hatch lock device without difficulty.

A simple recommendation for unlocking the Bosch machine. How to do it in a minute, using a simple change of washing mode.

A video tutorial that will tell you how to open a closed washing machine door if there is water in the drum.

If you find that the washing machine door is locked, try not to panic. Carefully read the instructions for your model. Try to solve the problem on your own, using our recommendations. If you have any difficulties, call a specialist.

Did you have to open the hatch of the washing machine when it is locked? Please tell us what was the cause of the problem, and was it possible to fix the equipment.We look forward to your comments, questions and advice on resolving this issue - the contact form is located below.