Very few people nowadays can imagine life without an automatic washing machine. Its breakdown sometimes becomes a real nightmare, because not everyone has the time and energy to do hand washing, and not everyone can afford to regularly use dry cleaning services. It is quite possible to fix some problems yourself. A fairly common problem is the locking mechanism of the loading hatch. Why this happens and how to unlock the washing machine, we’ll figure it out further.
How to unlock the LG Direct Drive washing machine?
In your LG washing machine
The child lock system is activated (the red lock face on the control panel is flashing).
To disable lock
, press and hold the “Temperature” + “Spin” buttons for 5-10 seconds. and you can set the program and start the washing machine.
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The main reasons for blocking the lock
Reason #1: Programmed blocking
Almost all modern washing equipment is equipped with a mechanism for blocking the laundry loading hatch in certain situations. This function acts as a safety measure when using the unit. After starting the washing program, the machine automatically locks the door until the running process is completed. And this is completely justified; just imagine what terrible consequences could result from, for example, a small child opening a machine that washes clothes at a temperature of 90 degrees.
If the machine has finished washing, but you still can’t unlock the door, it’s too early to worry. It is better not to pull the hatch handle, because this is not only useless, but can also lead to damage to both the handle and the lock. Most models allow you to open the loading hatch not at the moment the washing program is turned off, but only 3-5 minutes after finishing work. By waiting the required minutes, you will most likely easily open the car.
Another option for programmed blocking is the “Child Lock” function. You can enable this option accidentally by pressing a certain key combination. To understand how the option is disabled, most often it is enough to study the operating manual of the washing machine. It describes the procedure for turning child lock on and off.
Reason No. 2: machine malfunction
Something went wrong, and after some time you still couldn’t open the hatch? How to unlock a washing machine if the reason for its blocking is not clear? Try pressing the Start/Pause button and holding it for about ten seconds. If this manipulation does not help, unplug the machine for half an hour. All running processes will be reset during this time, and the machine with fresh “brains” will get to work again, and after finishing the wash, it will open the door itself.
The lock can also become blocked due to some kind of malfunction in the operation of the equipment. For example, there was a power outage in the house or the voltage in the network jumped. Such situations are not uncommon, therefore, in order to avoid serious damage and injury to users, many manufacturers of household appliances program machines so that they cannot be accidentally opened when the appliance is de-energized. Otherwise, you could easily get an electrical injury or burn from hot water pouring out of the unit. There are two ways to unlock the car door after a power failure:
- When the power comes back on, start the spin or drain mode. Once completed, the door should open without problems.
- Disconnect the device from the mains and drain the water from the tank manually using the hose located at the bottom of the machine. After these manipulations, the door will most likely open on its own.
Problems can also occur in the operation of electronics. Often, for example, the sensor indicating the water level in the car breaks down. Having failed, it begins to send information to the system that the tank is full of water, although the drum is already empty. In this situation, you will have to use the emergency door opening method (we will talk about it later), and then send the machine for repair.
Reason No. 3: worn out or broken locking mechanism
Quite often the door becomes blocked when the lock breaks. Typically, locking mechanisms fail on older equipment that has been in use for many years. If this is exactly the situation with your machine, the first thing you need to do is drain the water from the drum. Next, you should carefully read the operating instructions for your machine; perhaps it is there that the procedure for action in the event of a lock breakdown is written down.
If nothing suitable is found in the document, you will have to unlock the lock manually using a cable for emergency opening of the door. Naturally, a car with a broken lock cannot be used further. To replace a broken mechanism, call a technician.
Reason #4: Clogged drain hose
Many washing machines have software configured in such a way that the laundry hatch does not open until the liquid is completely drained from the tank. If the machine has finished washing, but through the glass you see that the water in the tank continues to splash, there is reason to suspect a blockage in the drain hose. You can clear the blockage yourself by disconnecting the hose from the machine. Just don’t forget to prepare basins and rags so as not to flood everything around with water and flood your neighbors. After cleaning, to unlock the hatch, you just need to restart the “Drain” mode. The machine will open when all the water has drained from the drum.
It also happens that suddenly there is an urgent need to open the hatch without waiting for the washing to finish (you forgot to take your phone out of your clothes, a cat got into the machine, you urgently need to leave the house, etc.). In such a situation, you first need to stop the washing program, then wait until the water drains from the drum, after which the machine should open automatically. In the most extreme and emergency case, you should try to open the car forcibly.
Door opening methods
What should I do if at the end of the wash the lock does not unlock and the loading hatch does not open? Since the cause of the incident may be a malfunction of the control system, you can start by rebooting the equipment.
Rice. 2 - Opening the door
In a similar way, you can try to repair washing machines of other brands (Bosch, Samsung, Candy), since the same factors can block the door as in the Indesit machine.
You will need to turn off the washing machine for a short time by unplugging the power cord from the outlet, for about 30 minutes. After switching on, the hatch should open. If the door is still locked, restarting the wash may help. In this case, it is enough to select the mode with the shortest program.
Let's say it didn't help. The locking device may have broken down. This mechanical problem most often occurs due to the fault of the owners. Users pull the handle in a hurry, resulting in damage to the latch or spring. Let's figure out how to open a washing machine if the handle is broken, without damaging the unit.
With a rope
Rice.
3 — Lanyard for opening the door You can open the door in a washing machine yourself using a strong, but not very thick rope or lanyard. Helping with a screwdriver, you need to insert the rope into the crack of the hatch along its entire circumference. Then forcefully pull both ends towards you. During this manipulation, the latch inside the lock will move away and the door can be opened.
Pause mode
If the machine has not yet managed to collect a large amount of water, then you can easily stop the process. Just pause it. All models have this option.
In order to temporarily stop the operation of the device, you need to press the start button or “Pause”, if available. But you shouldn’t hold it for long, otherwise you can cancel the operation completely. After a short time, the door will unlock and you can use it.
Experts in the maintenance of automatic washing machines warn: frequent use of this method provokes breakdown of the unit. Over time, the programs will begin to fail, and the machine will have to be sent in for repairs.
A plastic card will help
The alternative method using a plastic card is equivalent to thread. We push it through the side and press on the hook.
But it may not always work; it will be difficult to get into the pipe if there is a bulge in the lock body.
The map will run into it, you need skill.
What actions are prohibited when blocked?
It is not advisable to check and correct problems if the machine is under warranty, but even if it is no longer possible to use the service or there is no money for a technician, some things to do when blocked are strictly prohibited:
- If a jammed door needs to be opened, but the household appliance is turned on and the drum continues to spin, then any attempts to open it mechanically can lead to serious damage to the mechanism, flooding of the bathroom with water, and serious hand injuries are possible.
- when the reason that the door does not swing open is a malfunction in the equipment program, you should not rely on your own intelligence - you need to be very well versed in electronics in order to fix the software yourself;
- In case of malfunctions in the module, the manufacturer recommends contacting a service center rather than carrying out repairs - this will also aggravate the situation.
If there is a lot of water in the drum
The housewife is not always able to detect in time that she needs to stop washing. Sometimes the drum manages to fill with water, which complicates the process of opening the washer door. But you shouldn’t despair, there will be a way out of this situation.
First of all, you need to turn off the machine and drain all the water. If there is no “Drain” command, spinning the laundry will help. When the water goes away, the door can be opened.
And if this operation needs to be done urgently, then it is best to use the emergency drain function, which is carried out through a filter. The part is located behind the front panel of the device in the lower right corner.
You need to open the panel, pull out the filter hose and place a container under it. Then remove the plug and drain the liquid.
Not all machines have such a hose.
If it is not there, you will have to remove the filter plug.
It must be remembered that after such an emergency method of stopping the wash, it will be possible to resume it only by completely reprogramming the unit.
How to open the door when loading horizontally
If the door of a horizontal-loading machine is locked as a result of a breakdown, and manipulating the power outage and the spin button did not help, then you should force the door open.
Operating principle:
- Unplug the unit cord from the outlet.
- Open the drain filter panel and check for the presence of the orange emergency release cable. Pull to activate the mechanism.
- If it is missing, remove the top panel, tilt the machine forward and stick your hand to the locking latch to move it to the side.
Any careless movement during operation will lead to damage to the device, which will require its replacement. Therefore, if in doubt, it is better to wait for the master.
Calling a specialist: where to find and how much will it cost?
When independent diagnostics and repairs do not lead to the desired result, then professional craftsmen will come to the rescue. There are several ways to call a specialist to your home:
The easiest way is to use word of mouth. Relatives, acquaintances, neighbors - everyone can recommend a technician who once repaired a washing machine in their home.- Call a service center specialist. This method has one significant advantage - all work is documented. If any controversial issues arise, this document will become proof of completed (or not completed) work.
In order not to encounter scammers, and to save not only money, but also household appliances, it is very important to take into account the following points:
- an honest craftsman will never take money until the repair is completed (an exception may be a deposit for the purchase of an expensive part);
- a professional will always listen to the client, focusing on the brand of household appliances, duration and features of operation;
- an experienced technician never names the final cost of repairs without preliminary diagnostics (the amount may vary depending on the prices of new components, as well as the complexity of the work).
On average, repairs to replace a hatch blocking element will cost 4,000 rubles, replacing a pressure switch will cost 2,800 rubles, and replacing a heating element will cost up to 5,900 rubles.
Everything about repairing Samsung washing machines is in this section.
