The handle on the washing machine door broke; what to do

Modern models of automatic washing machines have a door lock. It is also automatic, serves to lock the door lock and when it does not function, problems arise. Impossible ? open the washing machine if the handle breaks (the main reasons are related to electrical or mechanical faults).

The handle on the washing machine door is broken - what to do?

If the handle on your washing machine is broken, then do not despair, you are not the first to encounter such a problem. Unfortunately, this problem happens quite often among washing machine users. It is difficult to say which brands suffer from this “disease”, because the handle on the door of a washing machine can break on any unit, even the highest quality one. Most often, it is the plastic part of the handle that breaks off, which is most subject to stress and is the most fragile in all door designs.

Typical situation

Usually, the handle on the washing machine breaks when the wash is finished. The user, trying to remove laundry from the drum, opens the hatch, but the handle breaks. At this point, the user is at fault. After completing the washing process, do not immediately open the door. The machine takes some time to turn off all mechanisms.

The door will remain locked until the unit has completely finished operating. If you pull the door at this time, it may break.

Call the master

When independent attempts to open a locked hatch door after washing do not lead to the desired result, professional craftsmen will come to the rescue.

You can find a specialist through the recommendations of friends or by using modern technologies - Internet search programs.

Depending on what exactly caused the door to block, restoring the washing machine’s functionality will cost from 1,200 rubles. up to 3500 rub. (the complexity and urgency of the order increases the amount due).

Options for solving the problem

• Emergency hatch release. Most models of modern washing machines have a cable for emergency opening of the lock. It is located behind the same small door on the front of the appliance as the drain filter. You can recognize this cable by its bright, red or orange color.
• Self-unlocking hatch. If the previous method did not help or the washing machine is not equipped with an emergency cable, you can try to remove the lock manually. This can be done by approaching the lock from inside the device (removing the top panel and tilting the drum to the side).
• Use of improvised means. In some cases, a jammed door can be easily opened with a rope. To do this, you need to take a thin but strong cord and insert it into the gap between the washer body and the hatch. Then pull both ends towards you and the lock will open.

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The method that allows you to open most washing machines is shown in the following video.

Removing the handle. This is a last resort method that can only be used if the handle of the device is faulty. You can verify that it cannot be repaired by detecting mechanical damage during a visual inspection. Most often, the plastic lock on the washing machine breaks after several years of active use.

The washing machine door is broken

The door and locking device form the hatch of the washing machine.
Locking the washing machine door ensures safety during operation. After the device has finished operating, the door can be opened manually by waiting 1-4 minutes. But sometimes the light indicator indicates that the wash is complete, the lock unlock time has expired, and the door cannot be opened. What to do in such a situation?

You need to remove the plug from the socket, then assess the situation. You should not open the washing machine hatch by force - this will lead to damage, not repair.

Causes

If there is a lot of water in the drum, the main problem concerns the drainage, and the door does not allow the floor to flood, causing inconvenience to the owner.

If the water has left the tank and the clothes have been washed, wait about half an hour, then turn on the machine again and check the condition of the door. Perhaps the reason for the door not moving is a faulty board (control module). In this case, the mechanism does not receive a signal to unlock it. Also, the board may not receive a signal to block the hatch. This happens if the contact traces burn out or the software crashes. Voltage surges can cause the control module to malfunction.

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You can try setting the washing program again. At the same time, the device will check the closure of the hatch by unlocking and re-locking the door. You need to have time to open the hatch during this period before starting the wash. A characteristic click indicates that the door is locked or unlocked.

If the door does not open, the handle may be broken. In this case, it will hang strangely. This problem especially often arises when the handle is handled carelessly in machines from Korean manufacturers.

Solutions

If the drain does not work after turning off the washing machine, you can drain the water manually. To do this, you need to get a special hose, open the lid at the bottom, near the drain plug, and drain the water.

But first, try turning on the machine again and running the drain program without spinning. If the water drains, the door will open immediately.

It is much more difficult to open a jammed lock. To unlock the door of a top-loading machine, you need to remove the top cover and unscrew the heating element. After this, you will be able to unlock the drum and open the lock.

To replace the hatch handle, you need to remove the washing machine door.

If the door handle is broken, you can open the washing machine in several ways:

• operate the lever near the drain plug;
• using a rope;
• if part of the handle remains in place, you can carefully grab it with pliers;
• remove the cover and manually open the lock from the inside.

Average repair cost

The cost of repairing a washing machine depends on the degree of complexity. If you need to install new sunroof glass, you will be charged approximately 1,200 rubles for this work. For replacing a machine hatch, a master, as a rule, charges from 1,200 rubles, for replacing a hatch hinge - from 1,500 rubles, and for replacing a locking device or hatch cuff - from 1,900 rubles. Replacing a handle will cost an average of 2,000 rubles. Replacing rubber on the hatch will cost 3,500 rubles. These prices usually do not include the cost of replacement parts. The technician will tell you the exact cost of repairs after diagnosing the device.

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Master's help

Most often, failure to comply with the operating rules of the machine leads to breakdown. But unprofessional repairs complicate the situation even more. Don't rely on your ingenuity. A washing machine is a complex household appliance that requires experience to repair.

Our workshop repairs washing machines of all brands. Call the operator, tell the brand, model of the machine, and a repair time convenient for you.

The technician will quickly arrive and replace it using original spare parts. The technician's visit and diagnostics are free of charge. The quality of the repair is confirmed by a guarantee.

Causes of failure

The most common problem with a washing machine is problems with the handle.

Among the reasons for the breakdown are the following:

• The electronic module has failed;
• The handle is worn out, damaged or blocked, resulting in a malfunction.

If the door is locked and does not open due to the electronic control module, then the problem can be quickly solved by rebooting the device. It means turning off the machine, waiting for 10 seconds, and then turning on again. If this does not help, you should run a short wash, spin or rinse program, and then after it finishes and the beep sounds, try opening the washing machine again.

Often, owners themselves break washing machines because they did not wait for the sound signal after washing or even tried to open them during washing. It is strictly impossible to do either the first or the second. The door still won't open? This means that the reason is not in the control module and now you will need auxiliary tools to open it.

Manual method of opening a locked hatch

You are lucky if your washing machine model is equipped with an emergency opening cable. You just need to pull it without unnecessary effort and the locked hatch will open. The emergency rope is a bright, usually yellow color. The emergency opening cable is located at the bottom of the washing machine in the area of ​​the drain filter.

To open washing machines without such convenience, you can use a strong fishing line or synthetic rope. The main thing is to know which direction the locking hook is directed: inward or outward. Using fishing line or synthetic rope, you should try to press the latch towards the opening (example in the video).

Author of the translation: Elremont

Ways to open the hatch

Don’t be surprised, but in order to open the door of a washing machine whose handle has broken, it is not necessary to pick at it with a screwdriver, use an awl, or carry out other “brutal manipulations.” It is enough to resort to one of the available and simple methods, which we will soon talk about, and open the ill-fated hatch in a minute. Let's list these methods.

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1. If you have a fishing line or thin nylon rope on hand, you can use it to open the washing machine hatch. We take a flat-head screwdriver and thread the rope into the gap between the body and the hatch. We take the ends of the rope and drag it under the hatch. Then we pull the ends of the rope with noticeable force - the door will open.
2. Pick up the instructions that came with your front-loading washing machine model. Some washing machine models have a special emergency hatch opening lever. Usually this element is located near the garbage filter. If you have one, the problem can be solved simply: pull the lever and the washing machine door will open.
3. If you don’t have a rope at hand, and there is no emergency lever that would allow you to open the hatch on your model of washing machine, you can open the hatch through the top cover of the washing machine. Let's unplug the washing machine. Remove the top cover of the washer. At the front of the case there is a gap between the front wall and the top counterweight. We put our hand in there and try to get the hatch closing mechanism. In principle, it is very simple to open the hatch of a washing machine in this way, with the proper skill.

If some part of the handle mechanism remains intact and sticks out, you can try to pick up this part with pliers and carefully open the door.

Removing the damaged part

If we managed to safely open the hatch of a front-loading washing machine, this does not completely solve the problem, because the handle is broken and needs to be repaired. There is no point in repairing an old handle, and most often it is impossible, so the only solution is to replace the broken part.
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First, let's remove the damaged handle by performing a series of simple manipulations. Take a screwdriver, open the washing machine hatch wide open and unscrew the two screws that hold the hatch in place. We lay the hatch on the floor with its front side down and unscrew all the screws located around this part. Take a photo of the sunroof glass along with the hook to remember the location of these parts. If you don't do this, problems will arise later.

We disassemble the hatch into two parts and remove the glass to the side. We photograph the inside of the hatch so as not to remember the location of the mechanism parts. We remove the pin, spring and hook of the damaged handle and put them aside. Dismantling the damaged handle can be considered complete.

In order for the metal pin to come out, you will have to push it out with something sharp and hard. A nail or awl will do. If the pin comes out hard, spray it with WD-40.

Replacement

After emergency opening, the handle should be replaced with a new one.

Before doing this, it is recommended to photograph the old one from the outside and inside, so as not to make a mistake when installing the new handle.

Let's look at the step-by-step replacement process:

• Buying a new part. To do this, you need to know the make and model of your car;
• Next, at home, unscrew the door from the base. This must be done in the open state and using a screwdriver. This will not be difficult even for those who have not repaired anything;
• After the door has been successfully unscrewed, you need to unscrew all the bolts in a circle, thanks to which its halves are connected. To do this, you will again need a regular screwdriver or with a star-type attachment;
• Separate the two unscrewed halves, pull out the glass and put it in a safe place;
• Push the metal rod so that it comes out. This can be done using an awl or a nail. Following the pin, you need to remove the handle, spring and hook;
• Now, in place of the broken handle, a new handle with parts is installed in the same sequence as it was. First, insert the spring, then the hook and handle until it stops. After this, the metal pin should be in place. In order to thread the pin you need to use pliers;
• Door assembly. After we have made sure that the handle is installed correctly, we insert the glass, screw the two plastic halves of the door, and then the entire structure with bolts to the front of the washing machine.

If you don’t know how to properly change the handle yourself at home or you have difficulties during the repair, entrust this task to professionals.

What to do if the handle on the washing machine door breaks - auxiliary measures

There are certain universal tricks on how to open the door of a washing machine from Bosch, Indesit, Samsung or another manufacturer. There is no need to use a specialized tool or carry out complex manipulations. We will describe accessible and understandable methods that will ensure a quick resolution of the problem.

1. Emergency opening. Present in all modern devices. Located behind the front panel, in the area of ​​the drain filter. It looks like a lever or cable, and is highlighted in a bright color, often red or orange. After pressing it all the way, the door will automatically unlock. Manufacturers care about the safe and comfortable operation of their products, so this component is built in at the assembly stage by the manufacturer.

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2. Unlock the lock manually. Getting to the closing block on your own is not an easy task, but it is doable. It is advisable to do everything very carefully and not use great physical effort. Remove the unit cover, tilt the drum slightly and reach the locking mechanism from the inside. Some preparation is required for such actions. If you can’t achieve your plan, there’s no point in taking the risk; you’ll need the help of a professional craftsman.

3. Use of improvised means. It is possible that some of the plastic is stuck in the structure. Using pliers, try to disconnect the door using the remaining link from the part. The plastic element in the equipment is constantly under load when opening and closing, so it is the most fragile part of the structure. Care is required not to break it completely.

4. When the handle on the washing machine breaks, another hand made method will come in handy. It is simple and safe for both the user and the equipment. You will need a strong rope (lace), not too thick in diameter, at least 20-30 cm in length. There is a small distance between the body and the door where the latch is located. A rope is inserted into this “slot”. Next, pull on both ends, applying noticeable effort. The lever, under the pressure of the rope, will move and open the hatch. If you follow the steps clearly, everything will go quickly and easily. Any person can cope with this task.

The recommended techniques will solve the primary problem when the tank lid is stuck after washing.

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Note! If the appliance does not close, the problem lies in the locking mechanism. It is also possible to overload the weight of the laundry that was loaded into the drum.

After a favorable resolution of the situation, the issue with the broken part must be resolved. You need to remove the old lever and replace it with a new one. Next we will examine the question in more detail.

The handle of the washing machine broke. What to do?

Breakdowns of modern washing machines happen very rarely, but as usual they happen at the most inopportune moment. Many washing machine malfunctions have a common symptom - the door in the washing machine does not open. In some cases, to restore the washer’s functionality, it is enough to clean the sewer or drain filter, and sometimes only service center specialists can repair the breakdown.

This article will discuss the reasons why the washing machine door is blocked, and the basic methods of how to open an Indesit, Candy, Ariston or another manufacturer's washing machine without resorting to brute force. If you overdo it when opening the door, an unpleasant situation may arise when the handle of the washing machine breaks. And this is in addition to the main breakdown.

Structurally, the hatch locking unit is an electromagnetic lock, which is opened by applying voltage from the control board. Therefore, two groups of breakdowns are possible: when there is no “command” from the control controller or one of the elements of the hatch locking mechanism fails. A fairly common cause of breakdown is when the handle on the washing machine breaks.

The main reasons why the washing machine door does not open

In cases where the washer stops during the washing program, be sure to write down the error code. After this, check the sewer and drain hose for blockages, as well as the presence of electricity. If everything is fine there, you need to try to solve the problem by restarting the washer.

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Perhaps due to voltage fluctuations in the network or internal failures in the controller’s firmware, the machine froze. To do this, you need to turn off the power to the machine for a few minutes and start it again. If it does not enter “mode”, try turning on another program, for example “Rinse” or “Spin”. The machine should rinse (squeeze) the items, drain the water and unlock the drum door. If this does not happen, then a serious breakdown has occurred in the machine and you need to figure out how to open an indesit, Samsung or other model washing machine.

In addition, the reason that the drum hatch cannot be opened may be a failed pump or a malfunction of the water level sensor, as well as mechanical damage to the closing mechanism or electromagnetic opening unit. Also, a similar situation may arise due to the fact that the washing machine door is broken.

How to open a locked washing machine

So, the washing machine stopped and no methods helped to restart the program in the traditional way. First of all, try to decipher the error code displayed on the display. Sometimes it can be used to determine the correct direction of action aimed at solving the problem of how to open the door of an LG, Bosch, Samsung or other brand of a locked washing machine.

Before opening the washing machine door, you must turn off the power to the washing machine, turn off the water supply tap and drain the water from the tank (if it has not drained automatically). To drain the water, you can use any of three methods:

• through the emergency drain tube;
• through the drain filter;
• through the drain hose.

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Now you can start opening the hatch door. There are several ways to open a locked washing machine door:

• Cable for emergency unlocking of the hatch lock. It can be found in the compartment behind the small access door to the drain filter. The cable is usually colored bright orange or red.
• By partially disassembling the washing machine. To do this, remove the top cover and move the tank back a little. A hand is inserted into the resulting gap and the lock is released.
• Using a thin, strong cord or fishing line. To do this, the cord is inserted into the gap between the front wall of the washing machine and the door and gently pulled. In most cases the lock can be easily undone.

Now you can remove things from the drum and fix the main damage.

What to do if the washing machine door is broken

Often the root cause of door failure is a broken plastic handle. After all, effort is always applied to it every time you wash it, and in cases where you try to open the washing machine when the lock is locked, these efforts are doubled.

We have already looked at the basic methods of how to open a washing machine if the handle is broken or the door is locked. Now you need to remove the handle and replace it with a new one, since it is not rational to repair plastic parts. Glued or welded plastic will not last long.

First of all, you need to remove the door from the machine body. To do this, simply unscrew the screws securing the hinges holding the hatch. We remove the part and place it on a flat surface with the bolts facing up. We unscrew the screws around the perimeter of the door and, carefully opening the plastic latches, separate the halves from each other using a thin flat screwdriver.

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Having remembered the relative position of all the parts (you can also use a mobile phone camera for this), remove the glass. Now that we have access to the handle mount, we pull out the metal rod, remove the damaged plastic handle and remove the latch hook and miniature spring of the locking mechanism from their places. Having attached the new handle in its place, we assemble the door.

You have already seen that when the handle on a washing machine breaks, the most difficult task will not be replacing the plastic handle, but how to open the machine. But if you follow the recommendations outlined above, it will not be difficult. But if you are not sure that you can perform all the operations yourself, it is more profitable to turn to professionals. This will not only speed up repairs, but will also save you from having to look for a handle for the door, because the parts for different models of washing machines are different and not interchangeable.

And finally, one more piece of advice - when operating the washing machine, never apply excessive force to the hatch door, and before opening the washing machine, make sure that the washing process is completed, the water has been drained, and the lock is unlocked (you can hear a characteristic click).

Repairing damage

Immediately prepare the necessary tools and materials:

• Phillips and slotted screwdriver.
• spare parts for replacement (lock, tongue, spare glass).

UBL repair

Can't open the hatch after washing? The UBL lock may have broken. Since it runs on electronics, check to see if the lights in the apartment have been turned off. In this case, the door will remain locked.

The operating principle of the UBL is simple: the control module supplies electric current to the lock plates. When heated, they bend and press on the latch, which latches the hatch.

How to understand that the device is broken? According to these signs:

• After turning off the machine, the hatch does not open.
• When you start the wash, an error code appears on the screen.
• You've loaded laundry, but the lock won't lock.

To make sure that the problem is in the device and not the control board, you need to carry out diagnostics with a multimeter.

• Attach the tester probes to the “neutral” and “lock phase” contacts.
• Measure the indicators.
• Everything works if three numbers are shown on the screen.
• Then attach the probes to the “neutral” and “common” contacts.
• Zeros or one on the screen indicate a breakdown.

To open the door when locked, you can use the method suggested by our users. Take a thin ribbon and thread it between the SMA body and the hatch. Holding the ends on both sides, pull the tape towards you. After opening, you can begin repairs.

How to fix it yourself:

• Pull back the cuff.
• Using a screwdriver, remove the clamp. If it is plastic, remove the latch.
• Remove the bolts that hold the device in place.
• Tuck the cuff in and remove the lock.
• Disconnect the wiring.

• Install the new part in reverse order.

Replacing the latch

Over time, the latch lever becomes deformed and irregularities appear on it, which interfere with normal closure. To perform the replacement, you need to know how to remove the door:

• Remove the clamp and rubber cuff. If you don’t want to remove it completely, bend it back and tuck it inside.
• On the side you will see the door mounts.
• Remove two screws.
• Lift the hatch up and remove it from its seat.

To return the latch to a smooth surface, you will need a file - grind off the nicks and irregularities. Lubricate parts with graphite lubricant for better performance. Lock the door in its original place.

The reason for the drum not closing tightly may be sagging hinges or loose fastenings. When installing the hatch in place, you need to adjust its position so that the latch fits normally into the hole.

Glass replacement

It’s good if the glass in your SMA model can be replaced, but such luck is rare. Otherwise, you will have to seal the cracks.

• On the outside you need to attach plastic film with tape. It is important that there are no gaps.
• Apply reinforcing tape to the damaged part.
• In a separate container, prepare a solution of epoxy resin.
• Fill the gap with solution.
• After 24 hours, remove the film. Remove drips with sandpaper.

How to prepare resin? To ensure that the product has good adhesiveness and resistance to temperature changes, a hardener is added to the composition. You can prepare a solution based on EDP glue:

• Take 6 parts resin and 4 parts hardener.
• Mix in a separate container until smooth.
• If it turns out too thick, heat it a little in a water bath.

Read the instructions carefully before diluting: an error in the ratios will affect the quality of the resin.

In some cases, a special sealant can be used, although it will not last as long.

Adjusting or replacing the plastic support

To do this, you need to remove the door, disassemble the handle and repair the support.

• Remove the hatch. Place it on a flat surface.
• Unscrew the fasteners around the perimeter.
• Remove the top and glass.
• Now you can remove and replace the handle if it breaks.
• Remove the repair support and drill a hole with a diameter of 3.8 mm in it.
• File the nail to the desired length. Heat it up and thread it through the hole.
• Wait for it to cool down for 2-3 minutes.

To avoid breaking the handle or other elements, do not pull it hard when opening it. Also close the hatch carefully, do not slam the door. Otherwise, the elements will quickly wear out and break.

Options for solving the problem

The solution to a locked door problem is to open it in the first place.

This can be done with:

opening a washing machine with a rope

• Emergency door opening. To do this, you need to open the bottom panel, which is located in the drain filter area, find the lever or cable and pull one of them until the handle unlocks and opens. This method is one of the correct ones from a technical approach. After all, such emergency unlocking and opening is provided by the manufacturer itself in case of an emergency;
• Ropes. Here you will need a thin and strong rope, which is inserted between the body and the door. To make it easier to insert the rope, you need to use a flat screwdriver to carefully create a gap between the lid and the base. Next, the rope is firmly taken by the two ends from below and above and pulled from the body of the washing machine. At this moment, the lock is also pulled back and the door opens;
• Manual unlocking. This can and should be done if it was not possible to find the lever by removing the bottom panel. Now you need to remove the top cover of the washing machine and try to reach the lock, which closes the door. It takes skill;
• Tools. You can try to pull the door with pliers, holding them on a piece of the handle and pulling it towards you.

Don’t forget that if the washing machine is still under warranty, you have every right to demand repairs from the sellers. In addition, the washing machine is in direct contact with water and electricity, so before using one of the above methods, care should be taken to shut off the flow of water and disconnect it from the electrical network.

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How to open a door with a rope

If a situation arises with a locked hatch (the door does not open when turning the machine on and off), you can solve the problem yourself. To do this you will need a thin and strong rope of sufficient length. It should exceed the circumference of the hatch rim by 20-30 cm. The method is designed to pry up the latch when locking.

What should be done:

• disconnect the washing machine from the power supply;
• choose a strong rope of the required length and thickness;
• take a rubber spatula or a small flat screwdriver with a flat tip (you can use other similar means at hand);
• push the rope into the gap between the hatch and the machine body using a spatula or screwdriver;
• the rope must be pushed in the middle into the gap on top of the hatch;
• take the rope by both ends, guide it so that it wraps around the latch;
• Pull both ends firmly in the direction of opening the door;
• the rope must be kept as close to the body of the device as possible (almost parallel);
• When the latch is properly grasped, a small amount of force should be sufficient to open the door.

Plastic support malfunction

To repair the part you will need:

• nail with a diameter of 4 mm;
• pliers;
• vice;
• drill;
• drill.

Eliminating defects in the support will require extreme precision, skill and dexterity.

1. Remove and disassemble the door.
2. Pull out the support.
3. Secure the broken part using a vice.
4. Drill a 3.8mm hole in the support.
5. Cut the nail to the desired length and, holding it with pliers, heat it to a temperature of approximately 180 degrees. Then insert it into the prepared hole.
6. When the new “part” has cooled, reassemble the door and install it in its original place.

The plastic support is not easy to repair. Without the proper experience, it is dangerous to undertake the repair of this part, so it is best to use the services of a specialist.

Rice. 8 - Result of using a faulty plastic support