Failures in the operation of household appliances are always unpleasant for the owner. In many cases, to solve the problem you need to contact specialists. But it happens that a problem with a washing machine can be easily resolved with your own hands; just use the manufacturer’s instructions. One of these troubles is the washing machine hatch being blocked. However, this part contains complex electronic components, so do not try to unlock the washing machine door using force. It is unlikely that these actions will achieve the desired result. At the same time, you risk breaking a spare part (which, moreover, most often turns out to be in good order and the reason lies in the malfunction of other components).
There are a number of reasons why the hatch does not open. This can happen due to jamming or according to the manufacturer’s intentions (for example, if there is water in the tank, the hatch will not open).
Why doesn't the door open in an automatic washing machine?
So, if the lid does not open, it could be:
- The wash cycle is not finished. The hatch lock is locked during washing. It will take a few minutes for the program to end before the door can be opened.
- Sudden power outage. If during washing there is a sudden power surge and the light goes out, the washing process is considered unfinished, and accordingly, you will not be able to open the door and take out the laundry. You need to wait until the power supply is restored. After this, the machine will continue working from the interrupted stage. At the end of the program, you can, as usual, open the hatch and take clothes out of it.
- There is water left in the tank. The washing machine does not drain water for various reasons: blockages in the sewer pipe, pump, drain filter, pipes, and burnout of the drain pump. To unlock the hatch, the water must be drained. How to do this will be described in detail in the section below.
- Broken door handle. Such a breakdown occurs extremely rarely. The broken handle must be replaced.
- UBL is broken. It happens that the locking device itself is working properly, but the automation does not give a signal to open. This may occur due to plate wear, contact burnout, or due to short circuits or problems in the control module. In cars with electromechanical control, the module needs to be reset; in cars with electronic control, the module must be reflashed. In any case, these actions can only be performed by service center specialists. It is difficult to fix such a problem on your own.
- Pressostat malfunction. The water from the tank can be completely drained, but due to the fact that the water level sensor gives an incorrect signal, the device considers that the tank is full and does not send a signal to open.
Follow the link to read why washing machines may not fill with water.
Unlocking secrets for different car brands
To successfully correct problems, you must carefully read the instructions for the washing machine, since equipment from different manufacturers differs in design.
Samsung . If such a situation occurred with a model of this brand, and draining and rebooting for 30 minutes did not bring the desired result, then there is a problem with water removal.
You will need to forcefully drain the water using the emergency hose, it is located next to the filter. In addition, especially for such situations, some models provide cables for forced opening of the door.
Additional information on troubleshooting problems with Samsung washing machines is provided in this article.
LG . You can simply unlock a car of this brand by removing the “Child Lock”. To reset, as well as to install, you must simultaneously activate two modes: “Super Rinse” and “Pre-Wash”. The cycle can then be continued by selecting the Start/Pause button.
Washing machines from LG are easy to unlock; to do this, you need to remove the “Child Lock” mode or hold down the “Start” button for a couple of seconds.
Bosch . To unlock a washing machine 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 must hold the “Start” button for 5-10 seconds. After this, the hatch will open. Deciphering error codes and tips for repairing Bosch equipment are given here.
Electrolux . All machines from this manufacturer are equipped with a “Pause” function, using which you can complete the wash ahead of schedule. If the water level in the drum reaches a certain point and the temperature drops below +50 °C, the lock will automatically open.
Atlant . Washing machines of this brand are equipped with an emergency hatch opening system. For this purpose, a special cable is installed to open the door next to the drainage filter.
To unlock the Atalnt machine, you need to find an emergency release device for the hatch locking device. It is installed next to the water filter at the bottom of the device
Indesit . Owners of a washing machine of this brand should first check the presence of water in the drum. If it is missing, then you should restart the machine.
When you don’t have time and you need to quickly open the door, just carefully pull the emergency rope, which is located at the bottom of the unit.
If there is water left inside the washer, then activate the “Drain” mode. If this does not help, then you need to manually remove the water from the machine using the drain hose. After this, the machine will unlock automatically. If this does not happen, then use one of the methods described above to force the hatch to open.
Ariston . In units from this manufacturer, the door is blocked due to power surges or as a consequence after a power outage.
To deal with such a breakdown yourself, you have to remove the water. Here, either an emergency release cable or manual drainage of water will help you. Both parts are located in the lower right corner of the machine near the filter
The instructions contain Ariston error codes, probable causes of failure and possible solutions to the problem.
Selecting the “Baby”, “Silk” or “Easy Ironing” programs may cause the drum to slow down or the water may not drain completely. To correct the situation, activate the “START/PAUSE” button or duplicate “Easy ironing”.
What should you do first if the washing machine does not open?
If the door to the washing machine was accidentally closed, you forgot to load any items or left something in your pockets, turn off the power to the appliance. After you hear a characteristic click, open the hatch.
If, after you have unplugged the machine from the outlet, the door does not want to unlock, use a special cable. Just pull it and the door will open. But this function is not present in all models.
Pull the cable to open the CMA hatch
Problems with the UBL electrical circuit
If no external damage is found on the lock body, it is necessary to test its circuits. To be sure that it is the UBL that is the reason that the door of the washing machine does not open.
Using a household multimeter, you can only check the thermoelement that heats the bimetallic plate. For this you need a UBL circuit. Unfortunately, few manufacturers provide it in the technical data sheet of the washing machine. However, almost all locking devices are of the same type in design. You can use the proposed diagram, which for clarity is posted together with a photograph of the UBL.
UBL scheme
The tester checks in the following way:
- The measuring device is set to resistance testing mode.
- The probes are applied to the zero and phase contacts.
- If the measured resistance value is more than 100, then the thermocouple is ok.
- Transfer the probes to check the neutral and common contacts.
- If the measured value, depending on the location of the probes, is zero or one, then the device has failed.
If all test data is within normal limits, there is no mechanical damage on the case, but the door of the washing machine does not open, then the reason may be in the control board.
The image shows a schematic diagram of the location of the UBL connection socket. However, for different models of washing machines, this contact may be located in other places on the board. You can try to track it by the color coding of the wires.
All that can be done at home to fix the blockage of the hatch associated with the control board is to clean the contacts or replace the wiring. It is better to entrust repairs to the board itself to professionals from the service center, since this requires special equipment.
How to unlock the door if there is water in the car?
In many models of washing equipment, the automation is designed in such a way that the washing machine does not open while there is water in the drum. There are several ways to drain the water manually. After this, you can safely open the hatch and remove washed items or laundry from it without any problems.
First of all, try to drain the water from the tank by disconnecting the drain hose from the sewer pipe. To do this, simply take the drain hose and lower its end into a basin, which should be below the level of the tank.
Try draining the tank through the drain hose.
If water does not flow from the drain hose, the next step is to drain the water from the filter, which is located on the bottom front panel.
How to drain water from a SM tank through a drain filter
Unscrew the filter, tilt the MCA and substitute the pelvis.
To drain water through the filter, tilt the CMA slightly and place a container under it
Wait until the container is full and screw the filter back on.
If even after this procedure there is still water in the drum, there is probably a blockage in the drain pump pipe. To get to the pipe, you will have to place the machine with its back wall on the floor. To avoid damaging fragile equipment, place something soft on the floor under the car in advance.
How to drain water from a pipe
Once access to the bottom of the device is gained, finding the pipe is not difficult. Unscrew the fastener, pull off the hose and drain the water. Return the SMA to its original position.
Advice! Before removing the hose, cover nearby electrical components with a towel or rag.
Mechanical failure of UBL
To determine why the washing machine door does not open after washing and how to fix it, you need to determine the type of UBL. Modern washing machines use two types of blockers:
- electromagnetic. The main functional element is the solenoid. This mechanism is used less and less, as it has a significant drawback. If the power supply is interrupted while the door is locked, the hatch will not be able to be opened until the power supply is restored;
- thermomechanical (bimetallic). Consists of a bimetallic plate and a thermoelement. To switch to blocking mode, the control board sends a pulse to turn on the thermoelement. The bimetal plates heat up and become deformed, blocking the door latch lever. When the power is turned off, the thermoelement and bimetallic plates gradually cool down, and after 2-3 minutes the blocking is removed.
There are several reasons for UBL failure:
- Despite the inconvenience of use, an electromagnetic lock is much more reliable than a thermomechanical one. In practice, I have encountered the only option for its mechanical damage - the closure of the solenoid due to burning of the contacts. This occurs due to intensive use, voltage drops or wiring wear.
- Failures of thermomechanical UBL are caused by long-term operation. In fact, bimetallic locks are designed to last for 5-7 years under normal operation. But if bimetallic plates are used more intensively, then their functional qualities gradually decrease.
- There is also an external reason for the breakdown of a thermomechanical lock. If one of the semistors on the electronic control board, which is responsible for supplying power to the thermocouple, fails, the lock can only be unlocked after the washing machine is completely turned off.
Removing the hatch locking device for testing and possible replacement is as follows:
- The washing machine is completely disconnected from the power supply. Not only turn it off via the button, but also unplug it from the socket.
- The outlet valve on the water supply hose closes.
- If we managed to open the hatch, we immediately move on to the fourth point. If the washing machine door does not open after washing, you need to unlock it yourself by following these steps:
- The top cover of the washing machine is removed. Two screws are unscrewed from the back, and the cover is slightly pushed forward;
- the tray for washing powder is removed and the bolts that appear are unscrewed;
- carefully lift the control panel (for some models it may have additional latches) so that the wires do not become disconnected;
- Now, looking inside, you can see the locking device. Use your hand or a screwdriver to press the latch away from the door, which looks out from the UBL body. If you do not want to disassemble the washing machine, the same steps can be carried out through the bottom. To do this, the washing machine is disconnected from the water supply pipe and laid on its side. On some models, the bottom has an additional protective panel, which can be removed by unscrewing the mounting screws located around the perimeter.
- It is necessary to partially remove the sealing collar. To do this, you need to bend its edge and find the mounting clamp. If it is plastic, it is secured with latches. Pull them back and remove the clamp. If it is metal, simply pry up its edge with a flat (slotted) screwdriver.
- The released cuff can be tucked inside the drum.
Partially remove the sealing collar
- On the right, near the UBL hole, unscrew the two bolts.
- By reaching between the body and the tank, you can reach the locking device, which is held on by wires.
Unscrew and remove the locking device
- If there is only one connector on the case, pull out the plug with wires from it. If there are several connectors, the connection location must first be photographed so as not to confuse the plugs.
Disconnect the connector
When changing the UBL, we perform all the steps in reverse order.
Washing machine door replacement and repair
The washing machine hatch does not break often. But if a breakdown occurs, you will have to fix it: the technician will not work with a broken door. In addition to the breakdown of the UBL, the latch in the hatch door of an automatic washing machine, the plastic supports on the hinge, the handle, and the glass may also break.
Repairing these elements is not difficult and can be done by any home handyman. The main thing is to have the right tool on hand: a set of good screwdrivers (in addition to the usual Phillips bits, there should be hex bits), a multimeter, pliers, a hammer and other tools.
You can read about replacing the pump in a washing machine at this link.
How to repair a latch
Most often, over time, latches develop a notch on the lever that fits into the hole.
To fix the problem, unscrew the hatch and place it on a horizontal surface. After this, carefully grind off the notch with a needle file. Before installation, apply lubricant to the treated area and wipe off any excess so as not to stain the laundry intended for washing.
Replacing the handle
The handle cannot be repaired. You will need to buy a new part.
To remove the broken handle, remove the hatch and unscrew the screws holding the plastic rims. After this, insert the new handle and reassemble in reverse order.
Washing machine door handle
Repair of damaged glass
Ideally, it is better to replace damaged glass with a new one. But with some effort, it can be repaired. This requires epoxy or polyester resin.
The repair algorithm is as follows:
- Glue polyethylene onto the front surface. It is not allowed to leave any blockages. For better results, you can additionally use tape.
- Place reinforcing tape in the hole that requires sealing.
- Prepare resin according to instructions.
- Seal the hole with resin.
- After this, wait at least 1 day and remove the polyethylene and sand off any stains.
Manual opening methods
When choosing what to do when the door is blocked, you need to determine whether there is water inside the tank. If there is water, it must be drained.
The best option is to select the “drain” mode after restarting the washing machine. You can also use the emergency water drain through the service hatch at the bottom of the washing machine.
If the hatch door is locked using the “child lock” service, then it should be unlocked using the appropriate key combination (information is in the instructions for the washing machine).
Reboot
If the reason for the doors being blocked is a random failure, for example due to a power surge, you should try to reboot.
To do this, the device is disconnected from the electrical network for a period of 20 to 60 minutes and turned on again. This may restore operation of the door lock.
You can also try to start a new washing mode with spin and monitor the program. If the hatch is still blocked, you will have to force it open.
Rope, wire
You can open the hatch without disassembling the washing machine. To do this, you must use a tool that allows you to pry the lock tongue. It is convenient to carry out such work using a wire of sufficient length to go around the door and still have free ends that are convenient to grasp.
Procedure:
- Choose strong thin wire.
- Place it behind the door around the perimeter so that the free ends are on the side opposite the lock, and the wire itself passes between the door and the front part of the washing machine. The resulting loop should fit onto the lock tongue.
- Gently, but firmly enough, you need to pull the loose ends until you hear a click.
- The tongue pryed in this way will come out of the groove and the door will open.
Bank card
If you don’t have a cable or rope at hand, you can open the door using an old bank card.
Carefully insert it near the door lock and try to bend the tongue. This method is less convenient than using wire, since it requires precise contact with the mechanism and precise pressure on the lock tongue.
Partial disassembly of the Indesit washing machine
There is another way to gain access to the hatch door lock - from inside the washing machine. This option is more labor-intensive, since you will have to partially disassemble the device.
Procedure:
- remove the top cover - to do this, unscrew the bolts holding it and push it towards the rear wall;
- you need to reach the locking device through the top of the washing machine;
- you need to press the latch - do this conveniently with a long narrow object;
- the hatch opens.
Removing the back cover requires special care, since the fasteners are plastic and can easily be broken.
In what cases is a non-opening door normal?
Locking the washing machine hatch door is a necessary option that ensures tightness during the washing process.
Standard locking is achieved not only by mechanical locking of the device, but also by electronic control from the control module.
Samsung Security Standard
A door that does not want to open is not always a failure; in some cases it is a normal and even necessary function .
After the normal completion of the washing cycle, the Samsung automatic machine does not open the door immediately, but after 1-2 minutes.
This is a standard safety measure, which is programmed by the manufacturer itself - the water must drain completely and the drum must stop moving.
Child lock enabled
Another normal condition for a car when the door does not open is the accidental (or special) activation of the “Child Lock” option . After canceling it, the car can be opened.
Typically, locking is achieved by pressing a combination of two buttons. They may differ in different models. This point can be clarified in the passport for the machine or on the Internet by setting the encoding of the model of your device.
As an option, inspect the panel with buttons. A lock sign can be drawn between the two responsible for child locking. Unlocking is achieved by pressing them again simultaneously.
How to open a locked door?
Sometimes this needs to be done while the process has begun. For example, they didn’t put something in the washing machine that needed immediate washing, or they didn’t take out a bunch of keys from their pockets, which began to rattle in the drum.
Just pause the washer and wait a few minutes. If the door does not open, remove the plug from the electrical outlet. Many devices at such moments begin to drain the water on their own, then open the hatch to load.
If this measure does not help, turn on the washer again and start the “draining” function - it should start immediately. If the reason for the failure of the blocking device lies in the clogging of the filter element, water remains in the drum. Because of this, a special sensor prevents the hatch latch from opening.
This problematic issue can be resolved by simply cleaning the filter. As a rule, it is located at the bottom of the machine and is closed with a plug. If everything is in order, then screw the plug into place and try to set the “rinse and spin” modes. If such actions do not help, disconnect the washing machine from the power supply and wait at least a quarter of an hour. If this does not help, you will have to remove the top cover and try to open the lock from the inside.
It happens that the washing machine does not want to open the hatch when the button that blocks the door from small children is accidentally pressed. In such a situation, all you have to do is hold down the “start” button for about five seconds to unlock the washing machine.
Causes of malfunction
Why doesn't the hatch door latch? The reasons are divided into two categories: mechanical and electronic.
If there are mechanical problems, you will not be able to close the door at all; it simply will not lock. This happens because:
- The plastic guide is broken or worn. This is a typical failure for washing machines under the Kandy and Indesit brands. Therefore, when choosing a machine, it is recommended to ensure that the guide is metal. In this case, the guide is not fixed in the lock hole and will need to be replaced.
- The door hinges are warped. Then the locking tongue does not reach the hole and cannot tightly latch the hatch door. All you need to do is tighten the screws that secure the hinges with a screwdriver.
- The hook tongue has moved. This leads to a similar problem, only the reason is no longer the loops. To tighten the tab, you will have to disassemble the door handle.
If problems arise with the electronic locking, the hatch will close mechanically normally. But you will not hear a characteristic click, water will not be poured into the tank.
In case of such breakdowns, an error appears on the display that the door is not closed.
- The UBL lock is broken. After the hatch is latched with the hook tongue, the hatch locking device is activated. The blocker sends a signal to the electronic module, which opens the valves for water intake. If the UBL does not work, then washing is impossible.
Expert opinion
Viktor Pavlovich Strebizh, lighting and electrical expert
Any questions ask me, I will help!
So that you do not worry about the question of why the washing machine does not open, it is recommended to carry out procedures in advance to prevent this phenomenon. If there is something you don’t understand, write to me!
Causes of door blocking and their elimination
Whatever the root cause of the blockage, remember that it is strictly forbidden to try to forcefully unlock the hatch. This risks causing you to get an electric shock, or the washing machine will require expensive repairs or a complete replacement. Let's look at the main reasons.
Reason #1 - auto-lock at the end of the wash
Automatic locking is necessary in order to avoid injury to humans and equipment breakdowns. When the cycle is completed, the hatch will automatically open.
But often the user is faced with the situation that after the drum stops, it is not possible to get things out - the door does not budge.
This is not a breakdown at all, it’s just that the hatch does not open immediately after the end of the wash cycle. In such a situation, you should wait from 1 to 3 minutes, the duration depends on the model of the washing machine.
Temporary interlocking is a precautionary measure designed to stop and cool the machine drum and the interlocking device itself.
If such a situation arises, do not even try to tug and pull the door - this way you will not solve the problem, but will only break the hatch. You should wait for the characteristic click or melody, after which the door will open itself.
Reason #2 - software failure
A failure in the washing machine program is, unfortunately, not uncommon. This happens for a number of reasons: due to voltage surges, frequent power outages, lack of water.
Let's take a closer look at the procedure depending on the factor that led to the blocking.
If the problem is the lack of light, then you should immediately turn off the unit. Wait until the electrics are 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 to drain the water yourself through the hose on the back panel of the machine, after first turning off the power. In this case, the door will open on its own.
If the blocking occurred due to a board failure, then you should turn off the machine by holding the 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.
What to do if the water is turned off? You should turn off the power to the device, wait until the water appears and then connect the washing machine again.
Reason #3 - problems with the lock
Most washing machine models have an option that allows you to protect the equipment from attacks by a growing heir. This could be the reason why the door is blocked.
The Child Lock function is activated. To disable this program, you can refer to the instructions - it describes the algorithm for turning on and off this mode specifically for your machine model.
Or just hold the “Start” button for 5-10 seconds and the hatch will unlock automatically.
Another problem associated with the lock is its breakage. The fact is that all cars without exception are equipped with a physical mechanism that locks the door. And it may break.
If the error code indicates that the problem is a faulty lock and there is no water in the tank, then you should force the door to open. This can be done in two ways.
1 way. Unplug the washing machine. Take a cable or very thick thread. Carefully pull it between the door and the body of the machine. After these actions, pressure will be applied to the lock tongue, it will be released from the blocker, and the door will smoothly open.
Method 2. After turning off the power to the device, remove the top cover. Find the lock (use a flashlight), and to make it easier to get to the door, tilt the washer slightly towards you
Then press the hook gently with your finger or a screwdriver. After a click, the hatch will open
The car stopped with water
If, after three or more minutes have passed since the end of the wash, the lock is not going to open, try turning on one of the standard “Spin” or “Rinse” modes again. If at the end of the program no changes are observed, it is better to check the drain hose; it may be clogged and water cannot leave the drum. After cleaning the drain hose, run the “Spin” program again.
If this does not help, you can open the washing machine using the emergency door release cable, which is equipped with any Hotpoint Ariston machine. In most models it is located at the bottom, in close proximity to the filter. The cable has a distinct red or orange color. Pull it slowly, this should release the hatch lock.
It is rare, but it happens that the cable cannot be detected. Don't be upset, there is a way out of this situation too. Unplug the machine and remove the top cover of the washer. Then carefully tilt the household appliance so that the drum moves away from the hatch door. Using these actions, you will have access to the lock. Find the tab responsible for closing and move it away. This method will require a lot of effort, so it is better to call another person to help.
And the methods for opening a drum filled with water don’t end there. In the manual for using Ariston machines, any additional emergency measures may be prescribed for each specific model. Study the manual.
Unlocking the washer door manually
Firstly, if the washing machine does not open after washing, you need to act according to the standard scheme. It is necessary to unplug the machine cord from the outlet.
Then, on the front panel, open the drain filter and check for the presence of an emergency hatch opening cable in this machine. If there is one, then you need to gently pull it, and the door will unlock.
Secondly, if there is no cable, then you will have to remove the entire top panel. Then the car needs to be tilted back. The drum will move away from the front wall and provide access to the locking latch. It needs to be moved slightly to the side.
The blocker is a fragile part, and if it breaks, it will be impossible to restore it. We'll have to change it.
Therefore, if you are not completely confident in your abilities, it is better to turn to specialists to avoid additional expenses and save time on repairs.
The handle usually doesn't break right away. If you observe, you can understand that the handle begins to work poorly, the door becomes difficult to open or close. And eventually it fails, but this is a long process, most often.
Self-replacement of UBL
When the question arises: what to do if the washing machine does not open after finishing the wash, and diagnostics showed that the culprit is the UBL, then many users make the replacement themselves.
If you are really confident in your knowledge of technology and the ability to carry out minor repairs without negative consequences, then proceed, but you need to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:
- remove the fastening rim to release the segment of the sealing cuff of the hatch;
- the device is fixed with two screws, unscrew them to remove it;
- install a serviceable UBL, perform the reverse steps to dismantling.
Advice! Before disconnecting the wires, take a photo so you can easily restore the connection system later.
After carrying out the replacement work, turn on any mode and test the equipment.
First aid
You need to immediately check (using the indicators or display) whether the washing program has ended. After all, until the process is completed, the hatch will not open. If you urgently need to open the machine, you will have to stop washing.
If the wash has already completed, there is no water in the tank, but the hatch does not open, wait five minutes and try again. The design of the lock is such that it does not immediately respond to a given command. The click of the lock indicates that the door has unlocked.
If even after a pause the door of the washing machine LG, Samsung, Bosch, Ariston, Indesit, Candy or another famous brand does not open, disconnect the machine from the power by unplugging the plug and wait 20-30 minutes. Then reconnect the power and try to open the hatch again. Such actions are often effective.
Another option is to restart the washing process. According to the operating algorithm, the washing machine must remove the lock from the hatch before locking it again. As soon as you hear the lock click, immediately interrupt the washing program and open the door.
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Many modern SM models have an emergency hatch release cable. It has a bright color and is located at the bottom of the front panel, next to the drain filter. If your unit has such an option, use it.
If the above steps do not bring results, use a radical method. To do this, remove the top panel of the CM by unscrewing all the fasteners. Then tilt the SMA back a little so that the drum moves away from the front wall. Feel the door latch with your hand and move it away.
If you had to use one of the last two methods of opening the door, this means that the MAS is faulty. You will have to look for the breakdown and fix it. In most cases, you can do this work yourself.
