A sudden failure of household appliances always takes us by surprise: unforeseen circumstances knock us out of the usual rhythm of life. There is also a situation when the wash is finished, the spin cycle went without any complaints, but there is no way to get the laundry out - the door of the washing machine does not open. You should not try to open the loading hatch using physical effort; you need to calm down and establish the cause of this incident, and then try to eliminate it.
Causes of jamming
All modern household washing appliances are equipped with automatic systems that block the hatch from accidental opening during washing. The reason that the door does not open after washing may be the late operation of the automation.
When the whole process is completed, a few minutes should pass, and the machine will work, the hatch for loading laundry can be opened without any effort.
Sudden blackout
During washing, there was a power surge or the lights were turned off. You heard the machine stop and came to pick up the washed clothes. The hatch on the washing machine does not open because the washing process is not completed, and the automation blocks the door.
You need to check the power switch in the house or wait until the power supply is restored, then set the mode to continue or spin. The machine will continue to work, and after finishing you can calmly open the hatch.
Water left
One of the reasons why the washing machine door does not open may be that there is water left in the tank, so the machine is blocking the door. Look into the hatch: if there is water, then some kind of breakdown has occurred. It is necessary to eliminate it, drain the water, and the automation will unlock the door.
The handle is broken
This happens extremely rarely, but we are considering all options. If the handle breaks down, it will hang in a free position, and the lid of the laundry loading hatch of the washing machine will not open. In this case, the handle must be replaced.
Many people try to make the replacement themselves. Please note that after your intervention, you may have to replace the hatch along with the locking system.
The handle is in good condition, but the door won't open? The lock is faulty, you need to call a specialist.
Call the master
If you couldn’t solve the problem without a technician, you need to contact a company that repairs washing machines. It is convenient to search for such a company on the Internet .
It is best to call a specialist from a company that has been providing services for a long time and has a good reputation. A thoughtful approach to choosing a company will help you avoid scammers.
The cost of work depends on the complexity of the breakdown. In some cases, it will be necessary not only to open the hatch, but also to repair/replace the failed part.
The average price in the capital is as follows:
- lock replacement – about 1,500 rubles;
- handle replacement – from 1300 rubles;
- opening the door (without further repairs) – from 1000 rubles.
If a part needs to be replaced, its cost will be charged separately.
When you need a specialist
Wear of the locking lock
If the door does not open, then the lock mechanism may have broken due to wear and tear, so the door cannot be opened. In this case, you need to contact a repair shop for help.
Electronics malfunction
Perhaps the water level sensor produces incorrect data: the water is drained, but there is no signal to the control system about its absence, so the door is blocked. The sensor needs to be replaced with a good one.
If the hatch of an LG, SAMSUNG, Bosch washing machine is blocked, then it is best to refer to the original source - the attached instructions, it contains all the necessary recommendations.
UBL module malfunction
It gives a signal to open the hatch after the end of the washing cycle. If the UBL is faulty, then the washing machine does not open. There are cases when the blocker itself is working, but the automation simply does not give a signal to open it.
Correct solution:
- reflash the control board if the module is electronically controlled
- reset all programmer values when it is electromechanical type.
These actions are performed only by specialists.
Reasons for contacting the service center
Diagnostics and repair of refrigeration equipment should definitely be entrusted to the refrigeration specialist if it is necessary to disassemble the circuit, check the functionality of the compressor, thermal relay and the presence of freon. Assessing the condition and repairing electrical wiring and electronic control units is a task for professionals.
Reason #1. Quick shutdown of the refrigerator
To determine the possible cause of the shortened operating cycle, it is necessary to analyze the sound when the unit is turned on/off.
The refrigerator worked for several seconds, before turning off there was a click, and the motor began to run loudly, which means the compressor or thermal relay is damaged. Violation of the usual operating intervals is due to a breakdown of the electronic board or power surges
To diagnose the problem yourself, you can do the following:
- Check the mains voltage.
- If the indicator is within the normal range, then you need to remove the thermal relay, and then connect the motor directly.
- If the unit is working properly, then the cause of the shortened cycle has been identified. The next step is to replace the thermal relay.
If the cyclical operation is caused by fluctuations in the power supply, then the installation of an alternating voltage stabilizer is required. More serious breakdowns include rupture of the compressor windings or jamming of the motor. Fixing a malfunction or completely replacing a defective unit will not be cheap.
To replace the start-protection and thermal relays, which are a single unit in household refrigerators, it is better to contact a workshop. However, it is quite possible to do the work yourself, based on the information presented in the video:
Reason #2. Damage to external and internal thermostats
In most Atlant models, the thermostat is located outside the refrigerator compartment - under the top cover. Replacement of the element should be entrusted to professionals.
For your information, here is the general operating procedure:
- Remove the refrigerator door.
- Remove the plugs on the cover and unscrew the screws.
- Remove the top panel.
- Unscrew the screws that secure the thermostat brackets, remove and replace the element.
- Reassemble in reverse order.
In two-chamber versions with a top freezer, the thermostat is located inside the refrigerator - the bellows tube is attached to the rear wall of the unit.
Failure of the thermostat is a minor breakdown. The technician will fix the problem at home - there is no need to deliver the equipment to a service center
Reason #3. Current breakdown on the refrigerator body
If even a light touch to the case is accompanied by at least a slight discharge of electricity, then it is highly not recommended to find out the cause and fix the malfunction yourself. It is likely that exposed wires are in contact with metal walls. The refrigerator will identify the damaged area and isolate the problem area.
Reason #4. Clogged capillary tube and freon leak
Both malfunctions lead to similar consequences: an increase in temperature inside the refrigerator compartment and continuous operation of the motor-compressor. To establish an accurate “diagnosis”, the wizard performs diagnostics - opens the system.
If the gas is in sufficient quantity, then a blockage of the capillary pipeline is determined.
Ways to fix the problem:
- pressing with a press – oil under pressure acts on the blockage;
- washing with a specialized solution similar to a “liquid desiccant”;
- blowing with compressed nitrogen;
- complete replacement of the capillary circuit.
If the Atlant refrigerator has stopped cooling and is not working due to a lack of refrigerant, the circuit will need to be filled with freon, the rules for which are described in detail in the article we recommend.
Carrying out the work requires caution and special skills. Tools you will need: pressure gauges, freon cylinder, hoses
Refueling is carried out in an isolated area, away from heating elements and sources of fire.
Freon leakage often occurs due to the fault of users. The most common reason is damage to the channel by sharp mechanical objects when defrosting the freezer or evaporator.
This video will show you one of the options for determining a breakdown, identifying a leak, how to fix it and the process of pumping freon:
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.
The machine is locked by hardware
Sometimes the user accidentally activates the child lock feature. The mode is activated by simultaneously pressing two buttons (the key combination depends on the specific Candy model). How exactly to protect the machine from child access is described in the instructions.
If the door does not open, you must ensure that the safety function is not activated. The lock is turned off using a combination of the same buttons that are used to turn it on. However, all these actions will not work if the device has stopped working during the washing phase, when the equipment is still full of soapy water.
Open the door
We have found out the reasons why the door in the washing machine does not open, but now we need to open it and take out the washed clothes. Before doing this, make sure that there is no water in the drum so as not to flood your neighbors.
To properly unlock the door, you can use the recommendations in the included instructions for each product, or proceed according to the following scheme:
- Disconnect the household device from the network.
- We open the hatch where the drain filter is located: it is located at the bottom of the machine. We check if there is a cable there, painted orange. Pull it without excessive effort - the machine door should open.
- If there is no emergency cable, then remove the top panel and tilt the machine back. The drum will move away from the wall due to its own weight, and in the gap that appears you will need to feel for the latch and open it, moving it to the side.
If you doubt your abilities, then it is better not to try to unlock the hatch yourself - trust it to professionals.
What to do with your own hands if the washing machine does not open
The means at hand will be of great help in repairing: a thin rope, a very strong thread or lace will easily open a jammed mechanism. In a simple case, the steps are as follows:
- Turn off the power supply.
- Insert the rope into the gap between the hull and the hatch.
- Pull both sides towards you.
A more complex option that requires removing the handle:
- Prepare down rags and basins.
- Take photographs of the original position of the parts.
- Disconnect from the network.
- Remove the two bolts on the housing with a screwdriver.
- Remove the door directly from the housing.
- Unscrew the small bolts using a screwdriver.
- Place the part on the floor with the bolts unscrewed upward.
- Separate the glass.
- Pull out the thin handle retainer, hook and spring.
- Reinstall each element in the appropriate order without any inaccuracies, in accordance with the photograph taken.
A simple solution
Why doesn't the hatch open even though all washing modes are finished? As we have already said, there are quite a few answers to this question - there are objective reasons resulting from the failure of mechanical components or automation.
Every time you need to thoroughly diagnose it before coming to any decision. In conclusion, I would like to offer a rather unique unlocking method when the door in a washing machine still does not open after all washing modes have completed. Watch a short video and everything will become clear to you:
Changes to the manufacturer's blocking program
In all automatic machines, the hatch opens only some time (not for a long time) after the end of the washing program and the completion of spinning the laundry. Typically this time is on the order of thirty seconds to one and a half minutes. But! In some models, in order to improve safety, manufacturers increase this period to 3-4 minutes. Which leads to another common breakdown - mechanical damage to the washing machine handle. This happens especially often in cases where the owner previously had a machine with a standard UBL (up to 1.5 minutes). As a result of forced attempts to open a locked hatch, which, as a rule, is accompanied by additional physical effort, the door or locking device simply jams.
Washing machine hatch handle
This is how you can unlock a jammed door. In the same small hatch that we used for emergency, forced drainage of the remaining water in the drum, you should find a cable that is directly connected to the door locking mechanism. Manufacturers designate it orange or a color close to it. The hatch will open automatically after it is pulled normally by your hand. If the desired cable is missing, then you should use the second method, which we described a little earlier.
Namely. Remove the top cover and tilt the machine, displacing the drum, and open the latch with your fingers.
Fault prevention
There are not so many tips, but you need to follow them constantly:
- Treat household appliances with care; close and open the hatch for loading laundry gently and without unnecessary force, so that you do not have to spend money on repairing the locking mechanism.
- Never overload the machine, the automation has a strict program: it will not even allow you to close the door in this case.
- Pay attention immediately to the occurrence of malfunctions: one will lead to a whole series of failures, and repairs may require more costs than replacing a small part.
If you follow these simple recommendations, household appliances will serve according to the assigned resource, without causing trouble or unnecessary problems.
Features of popular brands
Indesit, Samsung, Electrolux, AEG
On modern models "Indesit", "Samsung", AEG and "Electrolux" error codes are displayed. Models without a screen indicate breakdowns by flashing lights in a certain order. All codes or combinations of blinking lights are given in the instructions for the machine (in our case, unlocking the Indesit door may display error F-17 or “door”).
Atlant
On the machine's screen, the error is displayed as an alphanumeric code or an English word indicating the source of the problem. In our case, when the lock does not work as it should, the error code is “door”. On models without screens, the first, third and fourth lights light up.
LG and Beko
These companies use letter designations for major faults. Our problem is hidden behind the letters dE - “door open error”.
Bosch
“Bosch” indicates faults with the code Fnn, where nn is the fault number (in our case F01). The instructions indicate all types of breakdowns and how to fix them yourself, if possible.
Ariston
Ariston uses codes similar to Bosch.
Top Loading Models
The main reason for a top-loading machine door to lock is a problem with the drum flap. This is often the fault of the owner who did not close the top lid tightly or did not accidentally remove the laundry that was “bitten” by the flap. But factory defects are also possible, and over time the lids may become loose. It is better not to try to open the machine yourself, but to immediately contact a specialist.
