Any household appliance sometimes breaks down, and washing machines are no exception. Most often, problems are caused by the loading hatch being blocked. So, after completing the washing process, the user is unable to get things out even after some time when the timer shows 0.
The reason for this may be various malfunctions, related or unrelated to the breakdown of the washing machine. It is very important to understand the reasons for the blocking in order to avoid similar cases in the future and not completely break the equipment.However, wet laundry should be obtained as quickly as possible.
In this article you will learn how to open a washing machine if it is locked. We will tell you about the reasons for failures in automation, methods for emergency door opening, features of unlocking machines from different companies, under what circumstances it is better to call a specialist and how to prevent such situations.
Why do you need a door lock function in a washing machine?
For safe use, the doors of washing machines are automatically locked after selecting a program and starting work, and turn off only after all operations are completed. This function is provided in order to avoid injuries, breakdowns, leaks and spilling large amounts of water on the floor, which, moreover, may be of high temperature.
Often, after the sound signal indicates the end of the wash, the hatch remains closed for several minutes. This is done in order to carry out diagnostics, drain the remaining liquid in the drum and cool the hot laundry. But sometimes this automatic mechanism can malfunction; the door remains locked even after the process is completed. Do not try to open it by force, as this may damage the handle or locking device.
Reasons for door blocking
There are several factors that lead to blocking. They can be associated both with equipment breakdowns and with ordinary problems that can be quickly resolved on your own and do not require calling specialists.
Reasons not related to the breakdown of the washing machine
Washing program not completed
The last step in almost any washing machine mode is to cool the laundry to a comfortable and safe temperature.This may take 3-5 minutes, and after cooling, the hatch will open automatically.
Mechanism jammed
Like any other equipment, washing machines can sometimes jam. In some cases, a gentle blow with your hand on the door from the lock side will help. After that you need to try to open it again. The main thing here is not to overdo it and correctly calculate the impact force so as not to break the plastic or mechanism.
Malfunctions in the operating program of the machine
These are the most common reasons for the inability to open the door. The reason for this may be a power outage, lack of water or power surges. The program may freeze or stop executing commands.
If at the time of the power outage there was no water in the drum, then the program should reset itself upon a complete reboot within 30 minutes, and the door will unlock.
If there is water in the washing machine, the first thing you should do is immediately turn off the machine, wait until the power turns on, then reconnect it to the power supply and set “Rinse and Spin” to complete the cycle.
Pressing the buttons after the wash has started or child lock
If you accidentally press a button after the wash has started, the lock may also automatically lock. This function is provided in most SMAs so that a curious child does not accidentally knock down the program and damage the equipment. Thus, if this option is turned on unplanned, you can fix the problem by simultaneously pressing a combination of the 2 necessary buttons. Which ones exactly should be written in the instructions.
Clogging and clogging of hoses
A common reason for the hatch blocking is that water stops pumping out and remains in the drum, and the door cannot be opened to avoid spilling water into the room. The hose can become clogged with clothing fibers, wool, threads, and other things: buttons, fasteners, coins. In this regard, it is recommended to clean the hose after each wash cycle with hot water or a special liquid for blocking pipes.
Foreign objects getting into the mechanism
Small objects can get not only into the hose, but also into the hatch lock and prevent it from opening. In addition, the lock can jam for a short time or catch on clothing.
Breakdowns of washing equipment
In addition to minor malfunctions, sometimes it happens that a small or large breakdown of equipment occurs. The reasons can also be different.
Failures in the drainage system
The door can also become blocked when there are malfunctions in the drainage system, when the liquid does not drain. In addition to blockages, this can happen due to a broken pump or water level sensor - a pressure switch that does not recognize the amount of moisture in the drum and does not send a command to drain.
If the water pumping process is not performed automatically, then this mode can be set manually. The washing machine may have a special function that allows you to remove liquid from the tank, after which the door is unlocked.
If this option is not available, there is usually a filter cover at the bottom of the front of the washing machine, and when it is opened, the drain occurs. In order not to flood the floors, it is recommended to first place some kind of container underneath.
However, you need to understand that without replacing the faulty sensor, the machine will not work normally.
The problem often lies in a faulty lock, a broken
handle or automatic mechanism as a result of wear of parts at the end of their service life. In this case, damaged parts must be replaced.
To manually unlock, you will have to open the case and open the door from the inside. First, you need to unfasten the upper part of the case and tilt the washing machine slightly away from you. So, the drum will move away, which will make it possible to remove the latch and unlock the hatch.
Many SMAs have a special cable for emergency opening of a faulty lock.
Its end is usually located in the same place as the filter hatch, the exact location of which is specified in the instructions. In addition, unlocking is possible if you pass a thin rope or thread through the crack between the door and the body and pull in the opposite direction. After such operations, it is recommended to replace the broken lock.
Hardware failure
The blockage can also be caused by moisture penetration into the electrical board, or a breakdown of the heating apparatus or control unit. It is easier to resolve this situation by contacting a specialist, so as not to complicate the damage.
Emergency door opening methods
If at the end of the program there is still water inside and the door is closed, you can try to solve the problem using one of the methods suggested below to resolve this situation:
- Restarting the program.
- Using an emergency rope.
- Rope or plastic card.
- Replacing a broken door handle.
- Replacement of UBL.
Restarting the program
Sometimes the electronic board breaks down, and therefore the locking device does not receive signals to open the hatch. By completely restarting the program, you can resolve this situation.
You need to turn off the machine from the power supply and wait for 30 minutes, and then reinsert the plug into the outlet. If the reason for the blocking was a software violation, then the washing machine should open as a result of such a reboot. However, if this method does not work and the door is still locked, you should not repeat these steps several times; it is better to try to open it using other methods.
You can restart the washing program again. To make the process go faster, it is not necessary to choose a long mode; a normal rinse or spin will be enough, and when the cycle is completed, the washing machine will open.
In addition, you can re-set any washing program. Before starting the process, the device will check that the door is closed. To do this, he first unlocks it and then blocks it again. Here you need to seize the moment while the device is open, take out your things and cancel the running program. The signal for this will be a click characteristic of the locking mechanism.
But it is worth understanding that this method should be used only in rare cases, since with such an emergency interruption of the program it is easy to disable the machine, which will lead to much more serious damage.
With a cable for emergency opening
Often, manufacturers may provide a special cable for emergency opening of the door. You can find its end in the area of the drain filter hatch under the plastic cover. It is usually colored light green, yellow, orange or red. To force the hatch to open, in order to release the latch mechanism, carefully pull this cable.
If the liquid in the drum has not yet drained, you must first use the “Drain” function or place a flat tray under the hatch in advance to prevent water from spilling onto the floor, and then try to open the door.
Experts warn that using an emergency cable allows you to open a locked door at once, but does not solve the original problem. If the malfunction is not corrected in time, it is quite possible that the hatch will not open during the next wash.
Using a rope or plastic card
There is another simple method of mechanically opening a locked hatch, which should be used only when you are absolutely sure that the cause of the malfunction is a broken handle. To do this, you will need a thin and durable lace, rope, fishing line or thread and a flat-head screwdriver, although you can do without it. The rope should be long enough, and its length should be approximately 30 centimeters greater than the diameter of the door.
There is a small gap between the body of the machine and the loading hatch, the width of which is sufficient for the passage of the cord. The rope needs to be folded into a loop and brought into this opening along the entire circumference to encircle the door. If necessary, you can use a screwdriver to push the cord a little deeper. In this case, you need to act carefully so as not to leave scratches on the body. In this method, it is important to wrap the loop around the latch. Then you need to carefully pull the two free ends of the lace in a lateral direction parallel to the hatch. As a result, if you press the hook, the locking mechanism should work and the washing machine door should open.
Using the same principle, instead of a rope, you can use a plastic bank card to open a locked hatch in an emergency. To do this, you need to insert it into the slot under the door in the area of the lock and press to release the latch, then the door will open. This method is less effective than using a rope, as it can be quite difficult to get in due to the bulge of the lock that the card will rest against, so you will have to tinker a bit.
This method can work with both front-loading and vertical-loading machines. However, when loading vertically, some difficulties may arise due to the design features of the machine.
You should also take into account the fact that on some models the latch does not operate towards the middle of the hatch, but in the other direction. In this case, it will not be possible to open the door using this method; only disassembly can help.
Replacing a broken door handle
A locked lock can also be caused by a broken handle. This usually happens when it is pressed or hit hard, or due to wear and tear over a long period of use.
Fortunately, this can be easily solved on your own, without the involvement of professionals, since the locking device is quite simple. However, when purchasing a new part, you need to be careful and choose based on the make and model of your device. The replacement will not take much time, the main thing is to follow the instructions:
- Remove the hatch from its hinges. This must be done carefully using a screwdriver. It is necessary to remove all the bolts and disassemble the door into two components. Detach the two plastic rims and then use only the one to which the handle is attached.
- Carefully remove the glass.It is recommended to take a photo of all disassembled parts to avoid problems during installation later, and assemble everything back.
- Remove the handle, latch and spring. Use a screwdriver to press on the rod that holds the handle
- Replace the broken element and assemble everything. First, you need to insert a new spring, then the handle, hook and rod, assemble and attach the hatch.
Replacing the hatch locking device
Hatch locking device (HLD) of the washing machine
If the hatch locking device (HLD) is faulty, it is necessary to dismantle it, completely remove the door together with the hook and hinges and purchase new parts. It is almost impossible to repair a damaged device, because this mechanism usually breaks down due to overheating or jams, so all that remains is to install new parts.
Replacing the fastener, hook and locking device is quite simple, so it is not necessary to call specialists. All you need is a simple Phillips screwdriver.
The work should be performed in the following sequence:
- Dismantle the broken UBL unit. To do this, remove the door sealing cuff, unscrew the bolts used to secure the lock, and reset the contacts.
- Carefully remove the device. It is very important to remember how it was connected to the other parts.
- Install a new device. You need to act based on the connection diagram of the previous module.
After completing all of the listed actions, it is recommended to test the operation of the device. If no errors were made during installation and the wires are connected correctly, the door will open without problems.
Features of unlocking washing machines of different brands
Despite the fact that there are universal methods for troubleshooting the automatic opening of a washing machine, applicable to any brand, you need to read the instructions, which will describe the specific methods of a particular manufacturer. So, for example, on some machines there is a display where the error code is displayed, or in its absence, the signal is given by flashing the lights in a certain order. You can find the required codes and combinations in the description of the device.
Samsung
For models from this company, the waiting time after the end of the program is about five minutes. If after this time the machine does not open, you should restart the device. You need to disconnect the machine from the power supply for 30 minutes. The current program will be completely reset and the lock will be unlocked.
Samsung is also prone to lock failure. You can get out of this situation using an emergency opening. Many washing mashines have a special element installed near the emergency cable.
LG
The doors of LG washing machines often do not open due to the fact that the liquid is not drained. This often happens due to a clogged hose or a broken pump.
In addition, it is typical to include an option for child protection that prevents the hatch from unlocking. The button combination to disable the function is “Super Rinse” and “Pre-Rinse”. When they are pressed simultaneously, the door should open.
Bosch
Frequent problems when opening the hatch on Bosch machines are blockages, faulty locks or program errors.
To unlock the device, manufacturers provide a special “-” button. To remove the block, you need to press and hold it for several seconds.
If this does not work, you should stop the wash and turn on the Rinse/Spin program. You can try setting the “Drain” function and pressing the “Speed Perfect” button several times. The method may not work the first time, then you should repeat these steps.
To manually open the hatch, almost all machines from this company have a cable and an emergency drain hose installed near the filter.
Ariston
In machines from this company, some modes do not automatically turn on the drain function, and therefore the wash is unfinished. To solve this problem, it will be enough to simply configure “Drain”. In addition, you can set the “Easy ironing” or “Spin” option.
How to open a top loading washing machine
If the door of a top-loading machine is jammed, it usually means that the user did not close the drum properly, and after turning the door was blocked. The problem can be easily solved without the help of professionals, you just need to follow a few simple steps:
- Disconnect the machine from the power supply and water supply. The door can be unlocked at this stage and no further instructions need to be followed.
- Move away from the wall.
- Unscrew the bolts securing the back panel and remove it.
- Remove the gear, unscrew the bolts and disconnect the wires.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the heating device and sealing rubber.
- Close the hatch through the resulting hole and rotate the drum.
- Reinstall the heating element and other parts.
- When the drum is placed vertically, the hatch should open.
In what cases should you call a specialist?
Usually, when the hatch is locked, users can open it independently in an emergency and get things out. However, not everyone can fix the problem.
You should not try to fix the machine yourself without any skill in this matter. And also when replacing some parts, it is quite difficult to choose the correct part on your own; in this case, it is better to contact a workshop.
And also, if the problem is with the electrical board or a faulty fluid sensor, only a specialist can handle this.
Before you start disassembling the equipment yourself, you should check the warranty period. If the warranty is still valid, it is not recommended to try to fix the problem yourself; this will lead to its cancellation and unnecessary costs.
How to prevent the door from blocking
It is impossible to completely protect against equipment breakdowns, since any part is subject to mechanical wear. However, in order to reduce the risk of breakdown and not once again use emergency opening methods, simple measures should be taken to prevent such situations:
- Open and close the door carefully, without exerting much physical effort.
- Do not exceed the recommended weight when loading the drum.
- Regularly clean the internal parts of the device and check the filter.
- Choose detergents recommended by the manufacturer.
- If the first signs of damage appear, take the necessary measures to avoid more serious damage.
If the door of your machine stops opening, and you need to get the laundry out, the main thing is not to panic. Examine it and try to find out the reason for the blockage. Do not pull the handle too hard to avoid breaking it completely. Read the instructions and understand how you can solve this problem. In the event of a serious breakdown, call a specialist and do not forget about the warranty card.
