Turn the washing machine off and unplug it. Then, unplug the machine and wait 5-10 minutes. Try pulling the handle again to see if the door opens. Some locks automatically flip into the unlocked position after 5-10 minutes so that you can get your clothes during a power outage.
So the first thing you'll want to do is just unplug the washer for 60 seconds, and see if the latch will reset. If that doesn't work, leave the washer plugged in for 20 minutes, and it should unlock.
Access the lid lock switch by unplugging your washer from the wall and turning off the water. Press a magnet against the lid lock mechanism for a quick, easy way to bypass the lid lock. Cut the 1st and 3rd wire (or 1st and 4th wire if there are 4 wires) that attach to the lid lock to permanently bypass it.
Normally waiting for the cycle to end is all you need to do to unlock the door, or turn your washer on if it's off. If you get stuck, though, you can drain the water from front load washers using the emergency drain hose; once the water is gone, the door will unlock.
Lock washers offer secure connections that can be removed or separated more easily than welded connections. To remove a lock washer, use a wrench or a similar tool to remove the nut or threaded fastener that holds the lock washer in place. Next, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the lock washer loose.
Most washers will have a manual release to unlock the mechanism and allow you to open the door or lid. The release is normally accessible from below the door lock, or on some models, from inside the soap dispenser housing.
Use a funnel to pour about a quarter of a cup of baking soda into the pipe. Next, empty a baster full of vinegar into the drain hose. Top tip: If the blockage is not completely gone, you can repeat the above process. Once you have cleared any debris from the hose, pour hot water in to flush everything out.
Water left in the machine is also a common cause of a locked washing machine door. Running a spin/drain cycle can often fix this issue, but if it fails, the machine may need to be drained manually. The door catch, handle, or some part of the door catch mechanism may be broken, preventing the door from opening.
If the cycle has finished and the door is still locked, it may be due to a power outage or a fault in the machine's electrical system. In this case, try unplugging the machine and waiting for a few minutes before plugging it back in.
Cause: The most common reason for a locked door is an active washing cycle. Modern machines often lock the door during operation for safety reasons.
Most washing machines use a thermal lock that releases the door two minutes after a cycle is complete.
Unplug the machine and wait a few minutes. Most doors will open once the power is off and the temperature cools off. Try knocking gently on the handle or pressing the pause/start button. Loop fishing line around the locked door and pull away from the door to manually unlock the locking mechanism.
The most likely cause is an inoperative drain pump, or a clogged debris filter. If your washer has water inside the Drum, the door will not open to prevent a flood. If you are using to sanitize the cycle and the water is extremely hot, the door will not open to prevent injury. Straighten the drain hoses.
Leave it unplugged for a few minutes to allow any residual power to dissipate. Then, plug it back in and try opening the door. If the control panel continues to malfunction or the door remains locked, consult the manufacturer's manual or contact a professional technician for further assistance.
Use strong, thin cord: You could try feeding some trimmer or fishing line around your washing machine's door to release its locking hook. Unplug your machine first, then wrap the cord around the door from the handle area and pull the line to the other side.
The first thing to try is pressing the “control lock” button for three seconds. After the three seconds have passed, the door should unlock allowing you to open it. If the control lock button doesn't work, next is to try the “end of cycle” button if your machine has that option.