What to do if the lock or handle on the washing machine is broken: how to open and repair the door

New generation washing units are equipped with the “automatic door lock” protective function. Its principle is simple: immediately after starting any of the programs, the hatch is locked and unlocked only after completion, after some time. But malfunctions can occur in the operation of any household appliance; washing machines are no exception. One of the most common breakdowns is considered to be a malfunction of the locking device. The hatch does not open after the required time allotted for user safety.

Rice. 1 — Washing machine door

There are several sources of the problem, the main ones are:

• lock damage,
• power failure,
• software malfunctions.

If the hatch remains blocked for a long time, you should not continue to pull it or knock on it. The best thing to do is to understand the situation. And before opening the washing machine if the handle is broken, it is advisable to explore all the possibilities.

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

Mainly the problem of locked hatches is a “disease” of Indesit automatic washing machines. The opening signal simply does not arrive at the UBL (hatch blocking device).

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 cord. 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.

This opening option is not suitable for all washing machines. Top-loading units are designed differently, so the principle of unlocking and repairing them will be different.

According to the instructions for the washing machine

If the door is blocked due to a power outage, then to get the washed items, you can use the emergency mechanism that most automatic washing machines are equipped with. In such cases, it is necessary to act as prescribed in the operating instructions for the equipment.

1. Unplug the cord from the power outlet.
2. Make sure the water level is below the front loading opening. Excess can be removed through the drain hose into any suitable container.
3. Remove the front panel.
4. Pull the hook located near the drain filter toward you until the locking screw is released. And pull it down until you hear a characteristic click, which means that the lock has been unlocked.
5. Open the door.
6. Put the front panel back in place, making sure the hooks fit into the appropriate loops.

This makes it possible to open the loading hatch, even if the handle itself is broken.

By removing the top cover of the washing machine

To remove the lock and open a unit that is not equipped with an emergency cable, you need to get to the lock through its top. To do this you will need to remove the top panel. After the cover is removed, move the drum a little to the side, reach out with your hand to the lock and try to open the machine.

Rice. 4 — Machine without top cover

To successfully complete this manipulation, skill will be required. Perhaps also the help of a specialist.

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:

• There is a malfunction in the electronic module,
• 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.

How to check the lock on a washing machine

If the loading hatch suddenly jams, you will need to find out the reasons why this happened. Before you check the UBL (hatch locking device), you need to understand how it works.

Most often, a modern washing machine is equipped with either an electromagnetic blocker or a bimetallic one. The latter is considered the most productive, since the electromagnetic one works exactly as long as electricity is supplied. Due to a short circuit or prolonged use, which contributes to the wear of the bimetallic plates, the UBL may fail.

A number of signs indicate a malfunction:

• if the equipment is turned off and the door remains closed, the reason is in the blocker device or in the main module;
• when starting any program, the hatch remains open, but the wash does not start;
• the device displays a fault code on the display panel, for example DE (locking defect) in washing machines or F34 (loading hatch lock problem) in Bosch.

In order to understand why the hatch does not open, it is necessary to find out where the source of the defect is. To do this, you will need to remove the UBL and use a tester.

1. Unplug the power cord.
2. Open the door.
3. Unscrew the hatch cuff and tighten the clamp located under it.
4. Remove the lock located on the side behind the cuff by unscrewing the two bolts that secure it.
5. Remove the blocker by releasing all connectors.

Hold the lock in your hands and check its functionality; this will not be difficult.

If the tester cannot determine the breakdown, but the lock still does not work, then the cause of the malfunction is precisely the wear of the bimetallic element. In this case, the lock will need to be replaced.

Calling a specialist: where to find and how much will it cost?

If you don’t have the time or opportunity to replace the handle yourself, it is recommended to call a professional. You can find a company that specializes in repairing household appliances on the Internet.

It is better to give preference to those companies that have been operating in the market for a long time and value the opinions of customers. This approach to choosing a specialist will help you avoid falling for scammers.

The average cost of work may vary by city and region. The price for the part is not included in the repair price and must be paid separately .

Sometimes it happens that replacing one part does not end the repair. If, along the way, faults are discovered in the device that require elimination, the cost of repairs increases.

In the capital, the average cost of minor repairs is:

• replacement of the hatch handle – from 1,300 rubles;
• door hinge replacement – ​​from 1,200 rubles;
• replacement of sunroof glass – from 1,300 rubles;
• replacement of the entire hatch – from 1,200 rubles;
• opening a hatch without repairs – from 1,000 rubles.

After troubleshooting, the technician provides a guarantee for the work performed.

How to replace the handle

It is best to purchase a new handle at a service center or at a specialized spare parts store. To install it, you need to take a number of simple steps:

• remove the door after first unscrewing the necessary fasteners using a Phillips screwdriver;
• unscrew all the bolts connecting both parts of the hatch;
• pry up one of the halves using a knife or screwdriver, separating the door in two;
• remove the glass and put it away so as not to spoil it;
• advance the metal rod on which the handle rests using any strong pin;
• When the pin pops out, you can remove the handle, spring and hook.

Now let's start installing the part.

Rice. 5 - Installing the spring

1. Insert the new spring in the same place where the old one was.
2. Continue installation by inserting the hook and, along with it, the handle itself until it stops.
3. Place the rod in its original place.
4. Finally, be sure to check the correct installation and functionality of the new handle. It should be slightly retracted due to the spring.

If the installation is incorrect, the spring will not push the handle out, then you will need to disassemble everything again and connect it again.

To reassemble the door, place the protective glass in its original place, between the two parts of the door. After tightening all the bolts, install the hatch on the washing machine.

Supporting measures

So, a problem happened: the door handle of the washing equipment broke. What to do in this situation? To eliminate such problems, it is recommended to study the instructions for the Bosch, Indesit unit in advance. Many models are equipped with an emergency hatch opening system. Finding this system is not difficult. There is a lever or cable in the pump area under the bottom cover. To unlock a jammed door, you need to slightly pull the cable towards you.

The door handle of the washing appliance is broken

If this Bosh model is not equipped with a special lever, you need to get to the locking mechanism yourself. First you need to dismantle the top panel of the unit. And then reach with your hand the closing mechanism of the loading hatch. If you fail to do this, it is better to contact a specialist.

LG F-10B8ND

If the washing machine hatch handle is partially broken, but part of it remains in place, you can try to open the lock using pliers. However, you should act carefully so as not to completely break the plastic element.

Another option is to open the hatch using a rope. We pass a strong rope into the gap between the body of the washing unit and the door, in the part where the lock is located. Then you just need to pull the rope, trying to open the lock. If everything is done correctly, the door will open easily and quickly.

Lock

How to replace the sunroof locking device

Such a unit cannot be repaired. If the locking system is broken, it must be replaced. Once the new part has been purchased, you can begin installing it.

1. Connect the wires to a working blocker.
2. Place it behind the wall of the case, inserting it into the hole for the lock.
3. Tighten the fastening bolts, there are only 2 of them.
4. Straighten the cuff and put on the collar.

It is easy to check and replace the UBL if necessary. The main thing: when buying a part, do not make a mistake. It is advisable to use the help of the seller.

Rice. 6 — Hatch locking device

Replacement instructions

Having purchased a suitable handle, you should begin replacing the broken part with a new one. First of all, we dismantle the door. This stage does not cause difficulties, since it only requires removing the fasteners with a screwdriver. Then we place the door on the floor and unscrew all the bolts connecting the two halves of the element in a circle. At this stage it is recommended to photograph how the glass and hook are positioned. This is necessary so that when assembling the hatch, all parts are installed correctly.

Call the master

After unscrewing all the bolts, carefully separate the door into two halves. We find the handle fastener, which is a metal rod. It must be removed, removing the spring, hook and handle along the way. Then we install a new handle and reassemble the structure in the reverse order. Working step by step, any home craftsman can easily repair a broken loading hatch handle on an Indesit or Bosch washing machine.

How to wash things correctly

How to fix a latch

The most common and probable reason for the mechanism to fail is the appearance of nicks on the lever that fits into the hole. In order to repair the latch, it will need to be removed. In some units this part is completely dismantled. Working with her then becomes much easier.

If the latch cannot be pulled out, you will have to repair it without removing it, placing the door on the table for convenience.

The algorithm is as follows.

1. Unplug the cord from the power outlet.
2. Remove the door by unscrewing the necessary mounting bolts.
3. Disassemble it into two halves and remove the latch if possible.
4. Use a file to sharpen any nicks that appear.
5. Apply a small amount of graphite lubricant to the part. Remove excess substance with a rag to prevent damage to clothes during the washing process.
6. Reinstall the door by tightening the fastening bolts well.

Rice. 7 -Applying graphite lubricant

If the latch is broken, replacing it will not be difficult. It is enough to have a Phillips screwdriver or screwdriver on hand, as well as a file.

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