4 ways to open a locked washing machine door if it’s broken

Bosch washing machine lock. how to unlock it yourself?

Owners of Bosch washing machines often encounter the problem of blocking the electronic control panel. In this case, the key constantly blinks, and the unit does not respond to anything. What to do in this case?

1.If your panel has the “ ” and “-” keys, using the latter you can disable the lock.

2. Another option would be to use the program selection knob for the previous washing program. Your car should sound a light again and stay on continuously. In this case, you must hold down the delayed start key for 5 seconds, and the lock will be released automatically.

Thanks to this method, you can quickly get rid of the problem and resume using your Bosch washing machine. Possible blocking will subsequently no longer cause inconvenience to the owner.

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The key or lock on the washing machine is on

Most washing machines have a key or lock indicator located in the form of a separate light on the control panel. In some models of washing machines, the function of indicators is performed by symbols on the machine display.

This indicator is rarely paid attention to unless it is constantly on. What does this signal mean, in what cases does it light up, and does anything need to be done?

What does a lit key or lock indicator mean?

The key or lock indicator may not only light up, but also flash. In this article, we will consider only those situations when the indicator is on and not blinking. So, there may be several such cases:

The key indicator lights up during washing, indicating that the door is locked and cannot be opened during washing. There is no problem, the washing will end and after a few minutes the door will automatically unlock;
The key or lock indicator is on all the time, even when the door is open and there is no washing, the washing machine does not respond to key presses. In this case, you need to check the locking device, door lock and hinges, as well as the control board;
The key indicator lights up when the wash is finished, but the door does not open. The cause may also be a jammed locking device or control board.

Note! When the child lock protection of the control panel is turned on, the key indicator on the washing machine may also light up. So make sure the feature is disabled before troubleshooting.

What to do first?

In any situation when the key or lock indicator on the washing machine is on, the first thing you can try is to remove the lock by pressing the program start button and holding it for 5 seconds. After this, the system board reboots, and the lock is usually disabled.

If the machine does not respond to pressing the buttons, then you can turn off the washing machine and unplug the power cord from the outlet, then wait 10 minutes and turn it on again. After such a reboot, the lock should be disabled. If such actions do not lead to anything, and the indicator continues to light, then repairs cannot be avoided.

For your information! According to service centers, most often a similar problem occurs with old generation LG, Samsung, Bosch, Indesit washing machines. In such machines, error notification is carried out through indicators, and not through the display.

Replacement of door hinges and hatch locking device

Before changing the locking device, you need to check whether the door lock, or rather the tongue, on the door itself is broken. You also need to check the serviceability of the door hinges; it happens that small children hang on the door, which leads to its bending. Then the door either does not close at all, or closes, but then jams and does not open. In this case, it is necessary to replace the hinges. Let's look at how to do this using an LG washing machine as an example.

Disconnect the machine from water, sewer and electricity.
Using special tongs or pliers, you need to remove the metal clamp on the cuff of the washing machine and remove the cuff from inside the drum.
Disconnect the wire from the door locking device.
At the bottom of the washer, open the filter door and unscrew the screw holding the plastic housing of the filter door.
Now you need to unscrew the screw holding the front part of the machine body.
Next, you need to remove the top cover of the machine by unscrewing 2 screws from the back.
Remove the powder receptacle from the machine.
Remove the screws behind the powder tray and the screws behind the control panel.
Remove the control panel from the latches, doing this from left to right.
Loosen the screws holding the front of the case.
Remove the front part of the case and place the front on a soft cloth.
Unscrew the plastic casing covering the door hinges, and then unscrew the hinges from the car door.
Unscrew the hinges from the washing machine body and remove them.
Take new hinges and install them in place of the faulty ones, reassembling the machine in reverse order.

As for the hatch locking device, replacing it is also not difficult if you bought an original spare part for your washing machine. The entire process is presented in detail in the video below.

If the door is locked and closed, you will have to remove the top cover of the washing machine to replace the locking device. Next, you need to feel the lock with your hand and move the lock so that the lock opens. When the drum hatch is open, you can proceed to replacing the locking device.

What to do if the control board is broken?

If at the end of the wash the control board does not send a signal to the door locking device, the control board is broken. Perhaps the malfunction occurred due to moisture on the board or contacts, or due to a power surge in the electrical network. In this case, an accurate diagnosis of the breakdown and checking the board will be required.

Important! In many cases, there is no need to buy a new control module because the old one can be repaired.

Carrying out such repairs is quite difficult, so we would not advise you to do it. After all, you can aggravate the situation, and then expensive repairs are inevitable.

Thus, the key or lock indicators on the washing machine play an important role. They can not only inform you about the progress of the program, but also about a serious breakdown of one of the machine parts. We hope you now know what to do when this indicator is on.

How to unlock the door if the washing machine is stuck with water in the wash and does not open

If the machine stops running with water and does not wash, then the reason is most likely a drainage problem. Read the material “Why did the washing machine stop draining water”, it contains a complete list of possible problems. The inability to open the door in this case is protection against flooding, and the water must first be drained.

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If you still can’t open the car hatch or you are afraid of “breaking something,” contact the RemBytTech specialists by phone:

7 (495) 215 – 14 – 41

7 (903) 722 – 17 – 03

Or submit an online application.

The RemBytTech master will respond to your call promptly - within 24 hours from the date of your request. He will not only help you open the door, but will also determine the exact cause of the problem and, with your consent, carry out repairs. After this, the technician will issue a check with a warranty for up to 2 years.

How is the child lock removed?

Any device has a mechanism that protects the washing machine from children. The process of enabling this function occurs after pressing a special button.

This function is also necessary to protect the health of children.

The usual operating algorithm of the machine with this function activated is presented below:

We turn on the machine.
We put the laundry in, close the hatch, and add the laundry detergent.
Click on the desired washing mode.
Press the lock button. We will see a key icon on the screen. We start the washing process.
We are waiting for the action to end.
We remove the child lock using a certain button.
Let's turn it off.

Sometimes it happens that the device was disconnected from power before the lock was removed. In such a situation, the device will be blocked when restarted. Rebooting or choosing a different program will not help you remove this blockage, but will only make the situation worse.

To correct this error, you need to restore in memory the mode in which your machine last washed.

Having done this, you turn it on and, selecting the previous mode, hold down the lock button. You need to clamp it until you hear the door click, indicating that the lock has been released.

How to unlock an ariston washing machine

According to information from Ariston, most often the door is blocked due to voltage surges and power outages. Solution - you need to use one of two possible options:

emergency release cable;
manual drainage of water.

Both functions are located near the filter in the lower right corner of the unit.

The instructions for the technique indicate other possible solutions:

If you select the “Baby” wash cycle or turn on light ironing, the machine will slowly rotate the drum at the end of the wash. To stop the machine and unlock the hatch, press the “START/PAUSE” button. You can also restart light ironing;
Using the “Silk” function sometimes results in the water not draining out at the end and remaining in the machine. To drain the water, press “START/PAUSE” or light ironing mode.

How to unlock a bosch washing machine

To open a Bosch brand machine, you need to stop the washing process and activate the “RINSE/SPIN” function. The second way is to activate the “DRAIN” program and press the “Speed Perfect” button two or three times. The option may not work the first time, so you can try repeating it several times.

Bosch units also provide an emergency cable, which is located at the bottom of the machine, near the filter. There is also an emergency drain hose there. The first element will help open the door if there is no water, the second - if there is still liquid in the drum.

How to remove the baby lock

To remove the child lock on your LG washing machine, press and hold for several seconds the two buttons between which the “pacifier” or “baby” icon is located on the control panel. The fact that this mode is enabled on an LG washing machine is indicated by the CL code on the display. Child lock on most LG models is activated only during washing and applies to all subsequent manipulations, so before the next load of laundry it will have to be deactivated each time, otherwise the program will not start.

Bosch washing machines LOGIXX 8 also have a child lock mode. To remove it, you need to return the device to the program that it was supposed to perform, open the door and hold the “left” button (arrow) on the options panel pressed for several seconds.

Malfunctions in which the washing machine does not open after finishing washing

According to statistics from the RemBytTech field service, in the vast majority of cases the washing machine does not open the door due to a malfunction of the UBL (door locking device). Also, the reason may lie in a broken handle or control unit unit responsible for closing and opening the hatch. You can find out more about breakdowns and the cost of fixing them in the article “Why the washing machine does not open after washing.”

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What other reasons are there for the hatch to jam?

In addition to blocking the machine control system, you can often encounter the problem of blocking the hatch. The cause of this problem may be a breakdown of the door latching mechanism or a clogged water drain hose. If the door does not open within half an hour after finishing washing, there is no use in pulling it or switching modes. If the door is jammed, you need to bend the latch that blocks it. A strong fishing line can help open the hatch:

disconnect the machine from the power supply;
the fishing line must be threaded between the body and the door;
Gently pulling it, you need to try to press the latch.

Any other method of opening a broken door is only possible by disassembling some parts of the case and requires the intervention of a professional.

For information on how to unlock the washing machine, see below.

Washing machine door lock system

The purpose of the devices is to ensure safe washing by blocking the door.
The system works automatically. The hatch remains locked after washing for 1-2 minutes - a standard function included in the machine program. The equipment sometimes malfunctions, as a result of which the door is blocked and cannot be opened even after the wash is completed. Causes of malfunction:

machine software failure. Problems with electronic components arise from voltage surges, power outages or interruptions in the water supply process;
the hatch closing block is worn out;
The drain hose is clogged. Some of the water remains in the drum, and the automation thinks that the wash is not finished. As a result, the lid cannot be opened just like that;
The child safety system accidentally turned on.

If you have problems with the power supply, you need to wait until the system resets. In different models, the process takes from 20 to 30 minutes, after which the computer automatically unlocks the hatch. This option will not help if there is water left in the drum of the machine.

A protective function that prevents children from getting into the car and harming themselves. If you accidentally turn on the function, opening the hatch will also be problematic. The protection is turned off by simultaneously pressing two keys on the unit’s dashboard. Combinations are unique to each manufacturer and are specified in the instruction manual.

If the wash is finished, but the water has not completely left the tank, try one of the options:

restart the “Spin” program. The option with the “Rinse” function also helps;
if repeating one of the two above operations does not help, you need to check the condition of the drain hose. If the element is clogged, clean it, and then start the “Spin” again;
The third option is to use the emergency release cable. The option is usually located near the filter, usually in the lower right corner. The cable is painted red, less often - orange.

Important! Don't pull the cable. You need to pull the handle smoothly and carefully.

The last method is suitable only for self-confident people. If you cannot find the release cable, you can try to manually remove the lock from the hatch. To do this, disconnect the machine from the power supply and remove the top cover of the unit. Next, disconnect the locking device and carefully tilt the machine. This will tilt the drum back and give access to the closing block. Now feel the lock tongue and open it.

Attention! The option is difficult and requires considerable physical strength. You won't be able to complete the task on your own, so ask someone to help you.

Using one of these principles, with a 95% probability you will be able to open the hatch of the washing machine. The remaining 5% are various nuances of individual brands of equipment and serious breakdowns that only a qualified technician can solve.

Why does blocking occur?

Control blocking in Bosch machines can occur for one of 2 reasons.

If the child lock was installed during washing, and after finishing work the machine was turned off and the lock was not removed.
If the self-diagnosis system has detected a malfunction in one or more machine systems. In this case, the corresponding error code will appear on the display, and the washing modes will be blocked.

Method 1 - turn off the power to the machine

Unplug the washing machine from the socket and leave for 10-30 minutes. Afterwards, gently press the door in the lock area and try to open the hatch again.

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Note! This method will help if the reason lies in the breakdown of the UBL. It contains a thermal plate, which is deformed under stress, and thus the lock is locked. After disconnecting from the mains, power will not be supplied to the plate, and when it cools down, it will return to its original position. The lock will open.

Method 3 – wire, rope or bank card

Take a thin wire or rope and carefully place it behind the hatch in the lock area. The loose ends should be on the side opposite the lock. Pull the ends of the wire/rope in a lateral direction parallel to the hatch. The resulting loop will hook the “tongue” of the lock, and the door will open.

Using the same principle, you can urgently open a locked door using a credit card. Slide it under the hatch in the lock area. The card will press on the “tab” and the door will open.

Method 4 - disassembling the washing machine

To get to the lock, you need to remove the top cover of the washing machine. Please note that in some models you first need to remove the back cover, and only then the top of the CMA.

If you look from above, the jammed lock will be visible. You can reach it with your hand. Next, you need to press the locking tab and the washer will open.

Note! When the machine does not open after washing, do not forcefully pull the door. The handle may break, and repairs will cost an order of magnitude more.