Very few people nowadays can imagine life without an automatic washing machine. Its breakdown sometimes becomes a real nightmare, because not everyone has the time and energy to do hand washing, and not everyone can afford to regularly use dry cleaning services. It is quite possible to fix some problems yourself. A fairly common problem is the locking mechanism of the loading hatch. Why this happens and how to unlock the washing machine, we’ll figure it out further.
The main reasons for blocking the lock
Reason #1: Programmed blocking
Almost all modern washing equipment is equipped with a mechanism for blocking the laundry loading hatch in certain situations. This function acts as a safety measure when using the unit. After starting the washing program, the machine automatically locks the door until the running process is completed.And this is completely justified; just imagine what terrible consequences could result from, for example, a small child opening a machine that washes clothes at a temperature of 90 degrees.
If the machine has finished washing, but you still can’t unlock the door, it’s too early to worry. It is better not to pull the hatch handle, because this is not only useless, but can also lead to damage to both the handle and the lock. Most models allow you to open the loading hatch not at the moment the washing program is turned off, but only 3-5 minutes after finishing work. By waiting the required minutes, you will most likely easily open the washing mashine.
Another option for programmed blocking is the “Child Lock” function. You can enable this option accidentally by pressing a certain key combination. To understand how the option is disabled, most often it is enough to study the operating manual of the washing machine. It describes the procedure for turning child lock on and off.
Reason No. 2: machine malfunction
Something went wrong, and after some time you still couldn’t open the hatch? How to unlock a washing machine if the reason for its blocking is not clear? Try pressing the Start/Pause button and holding it for about ten seconds. If this manipulation does not help, unplug the machine for half an hour. All running processes will be reset during this time, and the machine with fresh “brains” will get to work again, and after finishing the wash, it will open the door itself.
The lock can also become blocked due to some kind of malfunction in the operation of the equipment. For example, there was a power outage in the house or the voltage in the network jumped.Such situations are not uncommon, therefore, in order to avoid serious damage and injury to users, many manufacturers of household appliances program machines so that they cannot be accidentally opened when the appliance is de-energized. Otherwise, you could easily get an electrical injury or burn from hot water pouring out of the unit. There are two ways to unlock the washing mashine door after a power failure:
- When the power comes back on, start the spin or drain mode. Once completed, the door should open without problems.
- Disconnect the device from the mains and drain the water from the tank manually using the hose located at the bottom of the machine. After these manipulations, the door will most likely open on its own.
Problems can also occur in the operation of electronics. Often, for example, the sensor indicating the water level in the washing mashine breaks down. Having failed, it begins to send information to the system that the tank is full of water, although the drum is already empty. In this situation, you will have to use the emergency door opening method (we will talk about it later), and then send the machine for repair.
Reason No. 3: worn out or broken locking mechanism
Quite often the door becomes blocked when the lock breaks. Typically, locking mechanisms fail on older equipment that has been in use for many years. If this is exactly the situation with your machine, the first thing you need to do is drain the water from the drum. Next, you should carefully read the operating instructions for your machine, perhaps it is there that the procedure for action in the event of a lock breakdown is prescribed.
If nothing suitable is found in the document, you will have to manually unlock the lock using a cable for emergency door opening.Naturally, a washing mashine with a broken lock cannot be used further. To replace a broken mechanism, call a technician.
Reason #4: Clogged drain hose
Many washing machines have software configured in such a way that the laundry hatch does not open until the liquid is completely drained from the tank. If the machine has finished washing, but through the glass you see that the water in the tank continues to splash, there is reason to suspect a blockage in the drain hose. You can clear the blockage yourself by disconnecting the hose from the machine. Just don’t forget to prepare basins and rags so as not to flood everything around with water and flood your neighbors. After cleaning, to unlock the hatch, you just need to restart the “Drain” mode. The machine will open when all the water has drained from the drum.
It also happens that suddenly there is an urgent need to open the hatch without waiting for the end of the wash (you forgot to take your phone out of your clothes, a cat got into the machine, you urgently need to leave the house, etc.). In such a situation, you first need to stop the washing program, then wait until the water drains from the drum, after which the machine should open automatically. In the most extreme and emergency case, you should try to open the washing mashine forcibly.
Forced opening of the laundry hatch
If none of the above methods help, the best solution would be to call a competent household appliance repair specialist. But what if you really need to open the machine without waiting for the technician? In this case, you will have to use the emergency method of unlocking the hatch. The first step is to study the operating instructions for the equipment and find in it exact instructions on the location of the emergency door opening cable.You'll most likely find this important wiring on the bottom of your washing mashine near the filter and drain hose.
If you gently pull this cable, the laundry loading hatch should open. This method is not suitable for all washing mashines, because some models, in principle, do not have such a mechanism. If a cable is not provided in the design of the machine, then the lock will have to be opened forcibly. To do this, you will need to turn off the power to the unit, remove the top cover, then tilt the machine towards you, find the door lock tongue and also gently pull it.
The forced opening method will help you get to wet laundry locked in the machine, but most likely will not eliminate the reason for blocking the locking mechanism. To prevent the situation from recurring, you should call a specialist after opening the machine.
How to remove the locking of the loading hatch for different models of washing machines
LG
The operating instructions tell you in detail how to eliminate the most common problems and malfunctions of this brand of machine. LG appliances are equipped with a child lock option. Usually it turns on if you press the “prewash” and “super rinse” buttons at the same time. The lock is turned off by pressing the same key combination and then pressing the “Start/Pause” button.
Bosch
The hatch lock on models from this company is usually removed by pressing the “Minus” key, if there is one on the control panel. When the key lights up on the monitor and it is impossible to switch the mode, you can try to unlock the door by holding the “Start” key pressed for several seconds.
Ariston
Blocking of the loading hatch in equipment from this manufacturer usually occurs when there is a power outage or power surges.To solve the problem, you need to use the emergency cable, having previously removed the water from the drum using the emergency drain hose.
The operating manual recommends that users carefully monitor the operation of the machine if the "Silk", "Baby", "Easy Ironing" programs are selected. They slow down the drum speed, which is why water sometimes remains in the tank when the machine has already finished washing. To unlock the device in this case, you can try pressing and holding the "Start / Pause" button for a few seconds or start the ironing mode again.
Samsung
The machine of this manufacturer usually opens 2-3 minutes after the end of washing. If this does not happen, you need to disconnect it from the network for half an hour. During this time, the device will reset the program, after which the lock should open automatically.
Noticed that the machine has completed the washing program, but the water has not left the drum? Turn on the "Spin" option again. If this does not help to get rid of the liquid, then there are problems with the pumping system. In this case, you should drain the water manually and call a technician to fix the problem.
The Samsung Eco Bubble model has a function that restricts access to the machine for children. The user will be notified of its accidental activation by a flashing lock icon on the control panel. A machine locked in this way can be opened by pressing two keys next to which there is a human figure.
Indesit
Washing machines of this brand often get blocked if there is some water left in the tank after washing. In this case, you need to activate the "Drain" mode, wait a while and try to open the device. If the attempt fails, you will have to manually pour out the remaining liquid using a hose.The door should open automatically when there is no water left in the machine.
Most models are also equipped with an emergency hatch opening cable. If you urgently need to open the machine, it is usually enough to lightly pull this cable, and the problem will be solved.
Electrolux
You can stop the wash and unlock the door lock mechanism in machines of this brand by pressing the "Pause" button. In addition, the machine door usually unlocks automatically when the liquid from the drum has drained to a certain level and the temperature has dropped to 50 degrees.
Measures to prevent problems with the hatch blocking
In order to encounter unexpected blocking of the laundry loading hatch as rarely as possible, you must follow several simple recommendations for operating the washing machine.
First, you need to take care of the relative cleanliness of the loaded laundry. Washing very dirty items can lead to clogging of the drain hose and subsequent failure of the equipment. Before loading shoes into the machine, be sure to remove all dirt from their soles. The laundry sent for washing should be checked for metal parts and decorations, all these little things can get stuck inside the unit and thereby cause a breakdown of the locking mechanism and even the drum itself.
Secondly, it would not be superfluous to use special water softeners to minimize limescale deposits on the parts of the unit.
And, thirdly, do not be lazy to read the operating instructions for the purchased equipment. With its help, you can eliminate many simple malfunctions in the machine without calling a technician. In addition, the instructions describe the key combinations that enable and disable functions such as "Child Protection".It is better not to put the operating documents of the equipment in a distant drawer. If they are at hand, they will help you quickly and correctly solve this or that problem in the operation of your machine.
And one more important point that you must remember: if your equipment is under warranty, do not try to fix the malfunctions yourself under any circumstances, including forcibly unlocking the washing machine. Such interference in the operation of the device may cost you a denial of warranty service and free repair of your washing equipment.
