Reasons for blocking the door
The most common reasons for the lid to become blocked are as follows:
- An automatic door lock option is provided during the washing process to ensure safety. Often the door does not open for one to two minutes after the wash has finished.
- The door handle or lock is broken.
- Software failure.
- The washing machine is full of water. It may be due to a clogged drain.
- Power outage. The door cannot be opened if the power is cut off.
- Child protection. The option is available on many LG-type units.
As you can see, not all reasons for door blocking are related to malfunctions. To properly troubleshoot the problem, they must be installed as accurately as possible.
Power outage, door locked
The cause of the malfunction may be a simple power outage during the washing process. The machine is blocked and the door does not open. The solution to the issue here is simple. You need to put the machine on spin mode, after which the door will open in the usual way.
You may also find our other article useful - Why doesn’t the washing machine drain? Or, on the contrary, it drains immediately. And also another problem with noise, which is best eliminated in advance - why the washing machine makes a lot of noise and hums when washing.
I hope our article was useful and helped you!
Corrective Action
How to open any washing machine if it is locked? First of all, you should not pull the handle or use force. This will make it impossible to open the door without damage, thereby aggravating the situation. It is necessary to make sure that this blocking is not provided by the manufacturer and if the problem is not normal, it is better to contact a qualified specialist. If possible, a breakdown analysis can be carried out without interfering with the design.
Very often, due to power surges, the program may crash and the mode will not work correctly. If at this moment there is no water in the drum, you can disconnect the equipment from the network and let it stand for about half an hour and reconnect it to the power supply. After resetting the settings, the door may open.
Malfunctions in which the washing machine does not open after finishing washing
According to statistics from the RemBytTech field service, in the vast majority of cases the washing machine does not open the door due to a malfunction of the UBL (door locking device). Also, the reason may lie in a broken handle or control unit unit responsible for closing and opening the hatch. You can find out more about breakdowns and the cost of fixing them in the article “Why the washing machine does not open after washing.”
READ MORE: The lock on the Indesit washing machine does not work
Opening a locked door with a drum filled with water
There are times when, even a long time after the end of washing, water remains in the laundry drum and the auto-lock function is still in effect. How to open the door in this case? To begin with, you can try to turn on the “rinse”, “drain” or “spin” mode. If, after operating this function, water remains inside and the hatch still does not open, you need to check the drain hose - it may be clogged. You can clean it yourself, and after the procedure it is recommended to turn on the spin mode again.
How to urgently open the door of an LG washing machine
If the problem did not arise due to a malfunction of the equipment, you can solve it yourself. You should act based on your specific situation:
- If it turns out that the child lock option is turned on, you should deactivate it by pressing a combination of the appropriate buttons (which ones are written in the instructions for the device)
- To unlock the door after a power failure, just start one of the programs again (for example, “Spin” or “Rinse”).
- If the MCA is still blocked after washing, you should check the water drain hose. The cause of the problem may be a blockage. It is necessary to clean the hose of debris (you will find the hose on the back side of the SMA) and then start the “Spin” function. Also check the drain filter at the same time.
- Sometimes problems occur in the operation of the electronic module. Starting the washing program again will help solve the problem. Before starting, there is an automatic check to ensure the door is closed. The unlocking is removed automatically for a while and blocked again. After a characteristic click, you need to interrupt the washing program and try to open the hatch.
If the problem still cannot be resolved, you will have to remove the lock manually. Further actions should be unhurried and consistent.
Forced opening of the washing machine door
How to open a washing machine if standard methods do not help? The best option would be to contact specialists. But if there is an urgent need to open the car, you can use the emergency unlocking method.
By referring to the installation operating instructions, you can find out the exact location and description of the emergency opening cable. As a rule, it is located near the filter and is red in color. You need to pull it smoothly to solve the problem. But not all models have such a mechanism. And if the cable is not provided for by the design, you need to open the top cover and turn off the power supply. By tilting the car forward, you can access the lock tab.
What to do if there is water left in the machine?
The above methods are only suitable for a machine with an empty tank. If there is water left in it, there is likely a failure in the drainage system - proceed differently.
- Start the cycle in Spin or Rinse mode.
- Wait for it to finish.
- If the situation does not change, the drain hose or filter is clogged. Cleaning must be done.
- Start spinning or rinsing again.
Samsung washing machines have an emergency opening function. Unfold the machine and find the yellow lid in the lower right corner. Pull gently towards you to unlock the door.
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If the lock is broken
A broken washing machine hatch lock is a fairly common cause of non-programmed latching, but not the door lock itself. But how to unlock the washing machine in this case? First you need to get rid of the water in the drum. Do not use brute force to avoid additional damage to the machine. The best option in this case would be to contact a service center, especially if it is still under warranty. But some manufacturers provide instructions for correcting similar situations in the instruction manual. If you strictly follow them, you can solve the problem yourself, but most likely you will still need to replace the lock.
Method 1 - turn off the power to the machine
Unplug the washing machine from the socket and leave for 10-30 minutes. Afterwards, gently press the door in the lock area and try to open the hatch again.
READ MORE: All the spin indicators and the wash indicator are on in the washing machine
Note! This method will help if the reason lies in the breakdown of the UBL. It contains a thermal plate, which is deformed under stress, and thus the lock is locked. After disconnecting from the mains, power will not be supplied to the plate, and when it cools down, it will return to its original position. The lock will open.
Solving the problem depending on the manufacturer
Modern new washing machines do not tolerate the use of force in relation to their design and require careful handling. Assembly features depend on the manufacturer of the mechanism and must be taken into account when using and correcting problems.
Samsung
Samsung washing machines have been produced for several decades, forming a whole line of units. If one of them has a similar breakdown and it does not open within five minutes after finishing washing, the machine should be turned off for half an hour to update the program. If there is water left inside and manual cleaning of the drain does not work, it is better to seek qualified help.
The “Eco Bubble” type model has a child protection option. If it was accidentally turned on, the image of the lock flashes on the display after the end of operation. To disable the option, you need to simultaneously press two keys, which are located next to the drawn man.
LG
The child lock function for models of this brand is turned on and off, as a rule, by simultaneously pressing the “super rinse” and “prevent” buttons. In the instructions for using the installation you can find rules for eliminating typical faults and problems.
Ariston
Like the Indesit company, the manufacturer is working on creating more advanced models that eliminate the possibility of frequent breakdowns, but at the same time provides additional sets of functions that may be involved in them.
The door in the Ariston Hotpoint model may be subject to unplanned closure during a power outage. In this case, the hatch can be unlocked using a cable, after draining the water manually.
Among other ways:
- Selecting the “silk” menu item ends the drum movement without draining the water. For this you will need to additionally enable the “pause” option.
- If you start the “easy ironing” mode or select the “pause” menu item, the machine will rotate the laundry more slowly.
How to unlock the door if the washing machine is stuck with water in the wash and does not open
If the machine stops running with water and does not wash, then the reason is most likely a drainage problem. Read the material “Why did the washing machine stop draining water”, it contains a complete list of possible problems. The inability to open the door in this case is protection against flooding, and the water must first be drained.
READ MORE: Reasons for belt failure in washing machines
If you still can’t open the car hatch or you are afraid of “breaking something,” contact the RemBytTech specialists by phone:
7 (495) 215 – 14 – 41
7 (903) 722 – 17 – 03
Or submit an online application.
The RemBytTech master will respond to your call promptly - within 24 hours from the date of your request. He will not only help you open the door, but will also determine the exact cause of the problem and, with your consent, carry out repairs. After this, the technician will issue a check with a warranty for up to 2 years.
Preventing door locking problems
In order to reduce the likelihood of unprogrammed door locking, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures, then searching for answers to the question “How to unlock a washing machine?” will not need.
First of all, it is important to remember to maintain cleanliness. It is important to be careful when loading laundry and ensure safety. It is not recommended to load laundry that is too dirty, as this may contaminate the drainage hose. The sole of the shoe must be cleaned of dirt before starting. If possible, it is advisable to use additional water softeners to avoid limescale deposits.
Before directly immersing yourself in the drum, you must remove all metal jewelry from clothing that may cause damage during operation. This is especially true for small parts that can get into hard-to-reach places inside the car and, in particular, damage the hatch lock.
Video: opening the machine door:
After purchasing the equipment, you must carefully read the instruction manual to avoid accidental connection of functions and prompt and correct action in case of breakdowns. It is best to keep such documents in sight at all times.
How to prevent the problem
Most often, the door of the washing machine does not open due to breakdowns. It will not be possible to completely protect yourself from such cases, because... main components are subject to natural wear and tear. Failure of one part will block the hatch.
However, you can reduce the risk of breakdown as much as possible. To do this, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s basic recommendations, incl. regarding loading laundry and choosing detergents. It is equally important to regularly wash the internal parts of the device, check the filter and contact customer service for preventative maintenance.
