Is it possible to open the washing machine yourself if it is locked and how to do it

When any malfunction occurs in the washing machine, the automation can block the entire device. Then the user is faced with the task of how to open the washing machine if it is locked, without harm to the equipment and his own life? Agree, the problem is very urgent, so you need to be prepared for such a situation.

It is very important to find out the root cause of the problem. If it is not related to the breakdown of key elements of the machine, then the user will be able to correct the situation on his own. We will tell you how to act in a given situation.

The article lists the most likely causes of blocking and how to eliminate them. In addition, the nuances of opening the doors of washing machines from different manufacturers are outlined, and cases are also described when it is better to refuse to solve the problem yourself and seek help from a specialist.

Reasons for blocking

Locking the hatch is part of the principle of normal operation of the washing machine. It is necessary during operation so that the door is not accidentally opened by children or forgetful adults. In this way, manufacturers take care of our safety. At the end of the wash, after one to two minutes, the lock is activated and the door can be opened. For what reasons does the washing machine get blocked if the wash is finished and it is impossible to open the hatch?

Electronics malfunction. It can occur due to an interruption in the supply of electricity or water, as well as during power surges in the network.
Broken locking mechanism. In this case, it will need to be replaced.
Drain filter clogged. The water does not drain completely, so the sensor prevents the hatch from being unlocked.
The Child Lock function is accidentally turned on.

As you can see, there are few reasons. And in most cases, the problem is solved in a simple way. We will tell you what to do below.

Prevention measures

The following recommendations will help minimize the likelihood of breakdowns:

Closing and opening the door must always be done very carefully, without force.
When closing the door before starting the wash, you should check that foreign objects do not get into the lock and the rim of the hatch cuff.
Surge protection will help prevent control board components from burning out due to surges.
The washing machine should not be kept in constant dampness, as this provokes oxidation of elements, including those responsible for blocking the door.

How to unlock a washing machine

How to open the washing machine during washing? This need arises if, for example, you forgot to put something in the drum that urgently needs to be washed, or you forgot to take your keys or coins out of your pocket and they are now rattling inside the drum of the machine.

Try stopping the unit and wait a few minutes. If the machine door does not open, unplug it from the socket. Most models in this case will drain on their own, after which the hatch will open. If this does not work, turn the machine back on and set the drain program - the water should start draining immediately after selecting this mode.

If the reason for the unlocking failure is a clogged filter , water may remain in the drum and a special sensor will not allow the door to be opened. The problem is solved by cleaning the filter. Usually it is located at the very bottom of the washing machine and is closed with a special plug.

Was the filter clean? Screw the plug back in and try setting the rinse and spin cycle. If this does not help, unplug the power cord and turn it back on after 15 minutes. Zero result again? You will have to remove the plastic cover on top and try to open the locking device from the inside.

How to open a washing machine if it is locked by accidentally turning on the child lock function? Just hold down the start button for 5 seconds and the machine will unlock.

Limitations for self-repair

Compliance with basic safety rules will save you and your equipment from unforeseen emergency situations.

What should you absolutely not do?

It is prohibited to carry out any work on the washing machine if it is energized. Otherwise, you may get an electric shock. In addition, the rotating drum can cause injury to your hands when the hatch is open.

Do not try to forcefully open the door, especially if there is water left in the tank. Possible electric shock and irreversible damage to equipment.

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

If an error code or the word “door” flashes on the machine’s display, then you should immediately refer to the instructions to decipher it

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

Mechanical failure

If all the proposed methods were unsuccessful, then you are not dealing with a malfunction, but the cause was a mechanical failure. Perhaps the lock or handle is worn out and needs to be replaced. Sometimes small children hang on the open hatch of a washing machine, which causes the hinge to become bent. In this case, the machine will stop closing, or will close, but it will be impossible to open it; the mechanism will jam.

What to do in such a situation? In this case, you can try replacing the hinges or locking device yourself. To replace the lock you need:

remove the top cover of the washing machine,
feel for the door locking device with your hand and move the latch, the lock will open immediately,
After opening the hatch, begin replacing the locking device.

The process of replacing hinges looks a little more complicated, but if you are confident in your abilities, you can watch an explanatory video on this topic, which can be easily found on the Internet. If you do not have the necessary skills, you will have to call a technician from the service center who will fix the problem.

Technical Troubleshooting Guide

If the lock or water level sensor fails, this will be indicated by an error code on the device screen. 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 drain it yourself.

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

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 does not work, then you should inspect the filter, which is located on the bottom of the front panel.

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

If after these steps the water is still inside the drum, then the drain pump pipe is clogged. To get to it, you need to place the washing machine with its back wall on the floor.

First place some soft rag or towel on the floor under the device so as not to damage the equipment. Once access to the bottom of the device is gained, finding the pipe is not difficult. Unscrew the fastener, disconnect the hose and remove the water.

Instruction #2 - changing the hatch locking mechanism

If the problem is in the locking device, then this will require a complete replacement of the unusable part with a new spare part.

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

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

Turn off the power to the machine . Lift the top cover of the machine and remove the screws holding the locking element. For convenience, tilt the car and unlock the door with your hand by pressing the lock tab.
Remove the clamp securing the door and slightly move the right side of the cuff. Stick your hand into the vacated opening and unscrew the screws.
Remember the sequence in which you removed the locking device . Now do the same thing in reverse order - install a working UBL.
Test after installation is complete. To do this, connect the machine and start the cycle.

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

Instruction #3 - replacing a broken door handle

Sometimes the blockage can be caused by a broken door handle.

First, turn on the emergency opening mode, if your car has one. Most manufacturers mount it at the bottom of the device near the drain filter.

Visually, it is a cable or lever of orange or red color, by 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 a cable.

To replace the washer hatch door handle, carefully use a screwdriver to unscrew the bolts holding the entire door, remove it and disassemble it

You can replace a broken handle with a new one yourself. When choosing a new part, pay attention to the model and brand of the washing machine.

The replacement itself will not take much time:

Remove the door using a screwdriver. Remove all the bolts that connect the door parts and disassemble the hatch into two components.
Carefully remove the glass and set it aside . Record (schematically or in a photo) the arrangement of all parts so as not to confuse anything during the installation of the door.
Remove the handle, lock hook and spring . Using an awl or screwdriver, press down on the metal rod holding the handle.
Install a new handle : first install a new spring, then a hook with a handle and a metal pin, and finally the door.

It also happens that debris has accumulated in the drain hose, pump filter, or the pump has broken down. It is for this reason that some of the water is retained inside, and the liquid level sensor does not work.

You will be informed about this situation by a flashing error on the display. First, you should inspect and, if necessary, clean the outlet 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, carefully disconnect the drain hose from the sewer and drain the excess liquid.

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

Instruction #4 - unlock the vertical washing machine

If the user has a top-loading washing machine and at one point its door becomes blocked, then you can try to solve this problem on your own. To do this, a number of manipulations have to be done.

Owners of top-loading washing machines should carefully close the drum. If you do not do this, the car will be blocked.

In order for such a unit to work again, it is necessary:

Disconnect the machine from the network and water supply.
Move away from the wall.
Find the heating element. To do this, you need to unscrew the bolts on the back cover and remove it.
Then take out the heating element: remove the belt and disconnect the bolt holding it. Remove all wires that may interfere with work - in order not to further confuse the location of the wires, label them.
Using a screwdriver, carefully remove the heating element with the rubber seal. Please note that the elastic sometimes sticks to the body, so difficulties may arise.
Remove the heating element from the machine and then carefully rotate the drum so as not to damage the parts.
Reinstall the heating element and connect all the wires.

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

In machines with a vertical loading type, to get to the drum, unscrew and remove the heating element. This way you can spin the reel

When you complete the replacement, you should start the wash again.

Unlocking a Samsung washing machine

The control of washing machines of famous brands differs depending on the functions preset by the manufacturer. For example, if a Samsung automatic machine is blocked and the door does not open 5-10 minutes after the wash is finished, unplug the cord and wait about half an hour. During this period of time, the program will be reset and the machine will open itself.

If after the end of the washing process the water has not drained from the tank, try running the spin program. If everything remains the same, then there is a problem in the pumping system. Forcefully drain the water using the emergency drain hose, which is located next to the filter, and then the machine door should open. As a last resort, the manufacturer builds a cable into its units to force the hatch to open.

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.

SUD error in Samsung washing machine

Unlocking a Bosch washing machine

The Bosch brand is well respected due to the quality and reliability of these household appliances. This brand has its own secrets for unlocking in various situations . If your model has plus and minus keys on the panel, then by pressing minus you can unlock the machine without wasting time and effort.

If the key is constantly on and does not allow you to turn on any mode, you need to return to the program during which the failure occurred, then press the delayed start button and hold your finger on it for 5 seconds. After this, the blocking will be disabled.

This is interesting! Bosch washing machines (Bosch): reviews

How to open the door after washing?

In all cases, without exception, it is worth solving the problem only at the moment when the program activated on the machine is finished. If this is not possible, for example, as in the case of a clogged drain hose, then proceed as follows:

turn off the machine;
set the “Drain” or “Spin” mode;
wait until it finishes working, then try to open the door again.

If the reason was the activation of the washing machine, then you can do it differently.

Wait until the wash cycle is complete, wait a few minutes if necessary, and then try to open the door again.
Disconnect devices from power supply. Wait about half an hour and try to open the hatch. But this trick does not work in all models of cars.

In cases where the operation of an automatic machine of this brand has just been completed, and the door still does not open, you need to wait a couple of minutes. If the situation repeats, then it is necessary to completely disconnect the device from the power supply and leave it alone for 1 hour. And only after this time should the hatch be opened.

When all means have already been tried, but it was still not possible to open the door, most likely the lock has failed, or the handle itself has simply broken.

In these cases, there are two options:

call a specialist to your home;
make a simple device with your own hands.

In the second case, you need to do the following:

we prepare a cord, the length of which is a quarter of a meter longer than the circumference of the hatch, with a diameter of less than 5 mm;
then you need to insert it into the crack between the door and the machine itself;
slowly but forcefully tighten the cord and pull it towards you.

This option makes it possible to open the hatch in almost all cases of blocking. But you should understand that after the door is opened, it is necessary to replace either the handle on the hatch or the lock itself. Although professionals recommend changing both of these parts at the same time.

Why might the lock get locked?

A washing machine is a technically complex device. The door lock may become blocked for reasons that you might not even think about at first. Using more force when opening is not the best option. You can simply break the lock. To solve problems at the root, you need to understand the probable causes.

At the moment, some program in which the door should be locked has not worked.
The hatch locking device is broken or jammed. The lock may break mechanically or be blocked by the control unit.

Water does not drain from the tank

If the washer door is blocked, the first thing to check before taking action to solve the main problem is whether there is water in the tank. If there is water, it is worth checking the installed program. Accidentally or by mistake, the machine may operate in a mode ending in “water stop”. In this case, it is enough to set the “drain water” mode. It is possible that the lock will unlock automatically after this program. You can also try to do this if the causes of the problem are not clear.

Water in the washing machine

Water in the drum may indicate serious problems.

The control unit has failed and the automatic drain does not work. Here you need the help of a professional.
The water level sensor or pump is broken. You should also contact service.
Perhaps the water does not go away because there is nowhere to go. If the sewer itself is clogged, you will need the help of a plumber (you can solve the problems yourself).

In these situations, the machine “sees” the water in the tank and blocks the lock for safety reasons so that it does not spill out onto the floor when the door is opened. Once the drum is empty, the door opens on its own.

Software locking

The door may not open because some program has not yet completed its operation. For example, some models do not have a sound signal when the cycle ends. Others have a long delay between washing and opening the door. More advanced washing machines also have protection at high temperatures. At the end of the process, the inner surface of the drum is hot. Until it cools down, the lock will be locked.

Power outages

The machine may not open for a very prosaic reason: at the right moment it was de-energized. It is worth checking if there is electricity in the house. If so, is the plug inserted into the socket and is it working? It also happens that if the machine does not open due to a power surge, it must be opened using software.

Defect of the UBL itself

Perhaps the lock itself is broken. A mechanical failure or even a minor defect can cause the hatch door to not open. You can replace the lock latch yourself.

The broken lock needs to be removed. To gain access to the mechanism, you need to remove the rubber cuff. Then unscrew the door.
Pull the lock out of the case, having previously photographed how it was attached to the sensors.
Install a new lock, focusing on the sensor connection diagram.

If everything is done correctly, the machine will open the door automatically after the end of the work program and the end of the delay time.

Replacing UBL

Broken door handle

Like any other mechanism subject to force, the door handle can fail. Most often this occurs due to excessive force when opening. The handle may break completely or become detached from the operating mechanism. Replacing the handle is a simple operation that you can do yourself. To do this, you need to remove the machine door to gain access to the lock. Make sure that the lock is in order, look at the connection diagram with the handle. Install a new handle or restore broken connections of the old one.

Problems with the control unit or sensors

If problems arise with electronics, then only a service worker can help. You can only test it yourself or try to solve the problem programmatically.

If the control unit or signal sensors are simply frozen, the machine must be disconnected from electricity. Leave it like this for 30 minutes or more, then turn it back on. If the internal computer returns to normal, the door will automatically unlock. If the technique does not work, other measures are needed.

Sometimes this technique helps: if the machine does not open after finishing the wash, run some other program or the same program again. The machine will automatically try to close the door before starting the program. Maybe she'll open it first. You can try to catch this moment (the click of the unlocking mechanism will be heard) and open it by the handle. This radical method is recommended to be used as a last resort. Or you can wait for the machine to finish working and hope that this time it will open.

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 car 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 cars, 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.

Why are there difficulties with opening?

If the machine door does not open the first and second time after washing, you should not repeat attempts, increasing the pressure and force used. This approach will only aggravate the situation and add a broken lock or a torn door to the blockage. It is more productive to understand the reasons for the current situation, of which there may be only five.

Standard automatic locking while the machine is running. After completing the next cycle, at least 1-2 minutes should pass for Samsung machines, after which the door will unlock on its own.
System failure. There may be a technical violation in the washing program. Failures are triggered by sudden power surges, interruptions in the water supply, or sudden power outages.
Faulty lock block. It is possible that the lock is jammed. Natural wear, careless loading/unloading of the tank or rough opening of the door - all this negatively affects the locking mechanism.
There is a blockage in the drain hose. In this case, the water does not drain from the tank, so the system does not signal to unlock. Even if the cycle has been completed.
Child lock. The special protection mode can be turned on accidentally.

It is worth looking for the cause of a locked hatch among the listed points. The most ideal option is to open the technical data sheet or instructions for your existing Samsung model and see the procedure for each case. If you can’t find such papers in the house, we’ll figure out what to do next on our own.

Lock or handle?

Often the desire to quickly open the hatch door ends with a damaged handle and a broken lock. This is exactly how the machine will react to attempts to bypass the blockage with force and pressure. For those who have not calculated their power, an alternative option is offered for opening the washing machine.

Measure the circumference of the door.
Prepare a cord with a diameter of less than 5 millimeters and a length that should be equal to the circumference of the door plus 25 centimeters.
Carefully insert the rope into the gap between the door and the body (if necessary, you can use a flat-head screwdriver or other similar tool).
Pull slowly on both ends of the lace.

It is worth understanding that opening the door will not solve the problem of a broken locking mechanism. A faulty lock will have to be replaced. It will not be easy to cope with such a matter on your own: you need to find a suitable part, partially disassemble the unit and return everything to its original place. Therefore, it is better not to experiment with DIY repairs and entrust the lock change to a specialist from the repair service.

Don’t despair if the machine refuses to open the door during washing. Moreover, there is no need to panic and try to forcefully solve the problem: the blockage can be removed quickly and easily. The main thing is to be patient and consistently follow all the steps described. And only after you’ve tried all the options yourself and haven’t found a solution, you should contact a Samsung washing machine repair technician.

Opening methods

Often, manufacturers in the attached documentation (instructions) describe in sufficient detail exactly how to emergency open a washing machine if the door is jammed. However, not all owners of household appliances keep such documents.

In such situations, care must be taken to review relevant information from available sources. In this case, attention should be paid to the design features of specific models

First of all, it is necessary to consider ways to force the doors of horizontal (front-loading) washing machines to open. In this case, we can highlight the following standard manipulations for all models.

Forcefully disconnect equipment from the power supply.

Make sure there is no water in the drum. If necessary, completely drain the liquid from the tank using an emergency hose or any other convenient method.

It is important to consider the possibility of water spilling on the floor and prepare rags and a basin in advance.

Open the hatch located on the front panel, behind which there is a drain filter. This is necessary to find the emergency hatch opening cable.

If the design of the model provides for its presence, then all that remains is to carefully pull this cable and forcefully unlock the door.

If there is no emergency cable, you will need to dismantle the top panel of the washer. After this, the car leans back a little so that its tank tilts a little. The next step is to find the latch and remove it to release the door.

You can find instructions online, including in video format, regarding emergency hatch opening. We are talking about using rope or wire. They are placed between the machine body and the lid.

In vehicles with vertical loading, the emergency hatch opening algorithm will have its own characteristics. First of all, you can try to simply disconnect the equipment from the network. Often the mechanism is blocked due to a failure of the signal supplied by the control system. If the device is completely de-energized, the door may well open automatically.

Many modern models of automatic washing machines have a function to remember settings. Based on this, after turning on the machine, the hatch can remain closed. In such situations, it makes sense to try to perform a soft reset. The next steps will be to alternately press the “Spin” and “Drain”, “Drain without spin” or “Spin + Drain” keys. It all depends on the device model.

As noted above, a common reason for the hatch blocking is a malfunction of one of the drain line components. This could be a clogged hose, a failure of the water pump, or a breakdown of the sensor that monitors the water level in the washing machine tank. In such situations, it is necessary to empty the drum of laundry.

Regardless of why exactly the door was blocked, it is often necessary to partially disassemble the machine. Sometimes the source of problems with top-loading machines can be the cranking of the drum with the doors not tightly closed and the heating element. To remove it you will need the following.

Move the CM away from the wall to make it more convenient to work.
Turn off power.
Remove the back cover of the equipment.
Remove the drive belt.
Unscrew the mounting bolts and disconnect the wiring. Elements that can be dismantled and disconnected can be signed to eliminate confusion during assembly.
Remove the heating element, then try to close the drum doors and turn it.
Insert the heater into place and connect all wires.
As soon as the closed drum is in place, the hatch cover will automatically open.

Any manipulations with the described household appliances must be performed with the utmost care. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of damage to many parts, including the heating element itself.

Features of unlocking washing machines of different brands

The instructions for household appliances can make it easier to find the cause of the blockage. The fact is that machines from most manufacturers require a different approach to solving the problem.

Samsung

In many models, mechanical damage to the blocker often occurs. The solution to this problem will be an emergency opening and subsequent contact with the service department.

In a Bosch car, the door does not open for several reasons: a blockage, a broken lock, a program failure. However, manufacturers have taken care of the fastest and easiest way to remove the block. Many car models have 2 buttons - “ ” and “-“. When you press the last one, the block is removed.

There may be several problems due to which the LG washing machine does not open:

Incomplete drainage of water from the main tank. The fluid output may be blocked by a clogged filter or a faulty pump.
Activation of the child lock program. In some cases, this prevents the lock from unlocking.

Indesit

Washing machines manufactured by Indesit can be opened using the standard methods described above. The main task is to correctly identify the breakdown.

Ariston

In Ariston devices, the hatch often jams when the washing program is not completed. Thus, some erasing modes do not provide for draining the liquid, which causes blocking. To fix the problem, activate the “Drain” program.

Unpleasant moments also happen with such models. Most often the drum is locked in them. This happens when cranking is done open. In order for the machine to start working again, you must:

move the washing machine away from the wall;
disconnect all connected communications;
on the back wall, determine the installation location of the heating element, disconnect and remove it;
spin the drum by hand.