The design of the washing machine is designed in such a way that it is impossible to open the doors during washing. This is done so that the water in the drum does not spill out if the hatch is opened at the wrong time. However, there are situations when this is necessary. The need to stop the machine arises to add a few more things or to remove something that got into the drum by mistake.
For example, an item that can fade and gets into the wash along with white linen can ruin it irrevocably. It is not surprising that in this case every housewife will try to unlock the door and get out the “uninvited guest”. If a phone or credit card gets into the wash, this is another reason for an emergency stop. To prevent such an emergency stop from ending in a small flood or equipment breakdown, you need to adhere to a certain procedure.
Pause mode
At the very beginning of the wash, while the washing machine tank is not yet completely filled with water, there is an easy way to stop the program. This can be done using the “Pause” mode. It is available in all models. To temporarily turn off, without draining the water, just press the on/off button (some models have a separate “pause” button).
It is important to take into account one nuance - the pressure should be single and fast. If you press the button and hold it in this position for several seconds, instead of pausing, the selected program will turn off. If you press with one touch, the program will be paused, and after a while the door will unlock. After this, all that remains is to take out random things or add more and start the machine by pressing the power button.
Advice
Masters involved in machine maintenance and repair do not recommend frequently pausing or reprogramming equipment during washing. Abuse of this feature over time leads to program failures and premature repairs.
Reasons for blocking the door
If, after working in the usual mode, the washing machine does not open the door, you should not try to pull it with force; it is better to immediately figure out what is causing the problem.
Common violations include:
System failure . It can be caused by several circumstances - these can be power surges, even a sudden power outage. Another reason is interruptions in water supply.- The machine is unable to drain water . If there is water in the tank, the door does not open because of this. In this case, the unlock signal is not sent by the system. This situation can occur when the drain hose is clogged.
- Lock block malfunction . Jamming can cause inaccurate closing with foreign objects getting into the lock, rough handling of the door, as well as natural wear and tear of the mechanism.
If there is a lot of water in the drum
If the need to open the washing machine arises when the water level in the drum is high, the water must be drained. This is also not difficult to do. In this case, you need to perform the following steps.
- Stop the machine with the power off button.
- Turn on the “Drain” program (the “Pump” button), and if it is not there, “Spin”.
- After the water has drained, the door will be unlocked.
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In some cases, the hatch must be opened immediately. In this case, an emergency drain will do. It is performed manually, through a filter. Usually this part is located in the front part, in the lower right corner, behind the panel. Opening the panel reveals the filter hose. By placing a water container in place, you can pull the hose out of the socket, open the plug and drain the water.
Some models do not have such a hose. In this case, you need to pull out the filter plug. After an emergency stop with draining the water, it will not be possible to finish washing according to the old program; you will have to reprogram the machine again.
Is it possible to open the door during operation?
The washing machine is designed in such a way that during the washing process the door is blocked and it becomes impossible to open it. Thus, it prevents water from spilling from the tank if the hatch is suddenly opened at the wrong moment. But sometimes you just have to do it. For example, when you urgently need to add things that are left in the basket to the drum. Or, on the contrary, when you need to get something that got into the drum by accident and can ruin the laundry when washed together.
Another common reason why housewives try to open the hatch of a washing machine is an electronic gadget that ends up in the pocket of clothes that were loaded into the machine.
To prevent unscheduled completion of washing from resulting in room repairs or device failure, you need to follow several rules.
Emergency opening of the hatch during the washing process differs depending on the device model:
- Samsung. This model is equipped with a residual water level sensor in the tank. Everything depends on him. The operating instructions say that when stopping a running device, it is recommended to drain the water through a special drain.
- Atlant. These machines are equipped with a special cable that allows you to open the locking lock in emergency mode. It is located next to the drain filter.
- Electrolux and AEG have a “Pause” function that allows you to pause the wash. Moreover, if certain conditions are met (the water level is below and its temperature is less than 500°C, the drum has stopped rotating), the door will unlock itself.
- Elgie and Beko also need to be paused to open the hatch. But it won't unlock itself. To do this, you need to unplug the machine for 3 minutes.
- Bosch. These models have the function of reloading laundry. This makes it easier to open the door. If, when you press this button at the time of washing, Yes appears on the display, then you can safely add laundry or remove excess laundry from the drum. If, instead of a permissive inscription, a prohibiting one is displayed, then the hatch will not be able to be opened.
What is common to all machines is that when using an emergency shutdown, the board suffers the most. Therefore, before disconnecting the device from the network, you should think about what is worse - a small foreign object in the drum or expensive repairs.
Emergency opening rope
Many models of washing machines are equipped with a special cable to unlock the lock. You need to look for it from the front side near the filter, behind the decorative panel at the bottom of the machine. It is painted bright orange, so it is impossible not to notice it after removing the decorative panel. Just pull the cable and the door should open. If the machine does not have such a device, you will have to move on to more complex methods.
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.
Forced opening using a cord
A thin synthetic cord can help open the machine hatch if previous actions have not brought positive results. The disadvantage of this method, invented by folk craftsmen, is that it is not always suitable. The reason is the design of the lock. If the tongue snaps towards the body of the machine, it will open, but if it snaps away from the body or upwards, this method will not yield anything.
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Step-by-step instruction
- Prepare a piece of thin and strong cord or fishing line the size of the hatch circumference with a small margin.
- Position yourself on the side opposite the castle.
- Insert the cord into the gap between the body and the hatch around the entire circumference, and hold both ends in your hands.
- Pull the cord until it presses against the latch.
If as a result of this the door does not open, then the lock design is of a different type and there is only one option left - remove the top panel.
Advice
If you have a flexible spatula at home, you can use it instead of a cord - insert it into the gap between the door and the body and press on the tongue.
Torx key
What is the right thing to do?
If you do not take into account concerns about small household members, it would be better to ventilate the washing machine drum and powder compartment after each wash. In addition, the drum and cuff should be gently wiped with a cloth at the end of each cycle.
It is not at all necessary to always keep the hatch wide open. It is enough to open the door wide for a couple of hours after washing, and then close it, leaving a gap of literally a few centimeters.
What to do if there are children or animals in the house? In this case, you can ventilate the car at night or place it out of the reach of children and pets. It is also necessary to educate them and teach them that they should not play with the washing machine, then the home helper will last longer.
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Reader comments
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Universal method suitable for all models
By removing the top panel of the washing machine, you can unlock the hatch in any model. So this method is the most universal. However, it requires some skills and tools. In some machines, the panel is secured with two bolts that can be removed with a regular screwdriver, but this is a rare case. Usually, in order to remove the panel, you have to use TORX keys, and their size is not the same for different models. These could be the following options:
- T 15;
- T 20;
- T 25.
After unscrewing the bolts on the back wall, you need to slide the cover back and then remove it. After this, you need to stick your hand into the part where the lock is located (on the side of the tank) and press the latch. Before removing the cover, be sure to turn off the equipment by unplugging the cord from the outlet and drain the water.
By following the recommendations outlined here, you will be able to open the machine both during washing and during emergency situations. However, if you do not have the skills to service equipment and are not confident in your abilities, call a specialist, and he will definitely open your 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.
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How to open a washing machine yourself during the washing process
After the items are loaded into the washing machine, the program is selected and the “Start” button is pressed, the door of the device is locked and cannot be opened until the wash is completed. But there are situations when, after starting work, there is a need to urgently interrupt the process and open the door. You will learn further how to open the washing machine during washing so that it does not harm either the equipment or the interior.
Call the master
The easiest way to unlock the door is to contact a service company for help. The technician who comes upon request will not only open the door, but also, if necessary, can repair the breakdown.
You can find a specialist on the Internet by entering “Indesit washing machine repair” in the search query and indicating your city. The specialist will not only open the washing machine, but will also conduct diagnostics to determine what caused the problem.
The cost of the work depends on the complexity of the failure, the need for repairs and the company’s pricing policy.
For the capital, prices on average are:
- replacement of the hatch door lock – from 1,400 rubles;
- replacement of the hatch handle – 1,300 rubles;
- only opening the hatch without performing repair work - from 1,000 rubles.
Panel lock
When waiting doesn't bring results, you need to pay attention to the control panel. Almost all modern Samsung cars are equipped with a child lock option, which is activated by simultaneously pressing two buttons. Each model has its own combination, but most often it consists of “Rinse” and “Temperature”.
You can find the exact set of keys in the corresponding section of the instructions or carefully inspect the machine - there is a “lock” drawn between the required buttons. All that remains is to press the keys simultaneously and hold them for 10 seconds. Afterwards the door should open without difficulty.
All the described methods “work” only when the tank is empty. If the problem with a locked hatch is complicated by the presence of laundry inside in undrained water, you will have to act in other ways. They will be discussed below.
Arguments from a service center technician
One day after washing, our washing machine refused to drain the water. An emergency situation required calling a specialist. The technician from the service center quickly determined the cause of the breakdown - the drain pump had failed. I had to change an expensive part. At the same time, an employee of the repair organization told us how to properly operate such equipment and asked some questions.
In particular, he asked whether I close the washing machine door after washing or leave it ajar for a while. Having learned that the loading hatch was constantly closed, the foreman recommended not to do so. According to him, this nuance may bring the next repair of his beloved assistant closer. The following arguments were given:
- the elasticity of the rubber seal is lost;
- water vapor causes corrosion of individual elements;
- a humid environment promotes the development of bacteria and the appearance of mold inside the machine;
- drain hoses may become clogged;
- the accumulated suspension causes damage to the drain pump.
Not only the internal parts of the unit can be damaged. When loading and washing the next batch of laundry, harmful microorganisms get on it, which is dangerous to health. It is difficult to completely clean out mold that has grown in a warm, humid environment. You won't be able to do this on your own. You will again have to call a specialist for professional cleaning, and this will require new costs.
Why is there a problem?
Stagnation of water in the drum is not the only reason the door is blocked: it can also be due to a breakdown. Indesit can break for many reasons. Let's list the most common ones.
- The handle on the hatch broke. This situation is not uncommon, especially for those who have children.
- Malfunction in the hatch locking device. This is a fairly common situation for cars that have been in use for many years.
- Electronics fault. For example, a device that determines the amount of water in a tank shows that it is there, but in fact the tank is dry. Unfortunately, in this situation the sensor will definitely have to be changed.
