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.
To reset the washer control panel, it needs to be disconnected from the power source for one minute. If your washer is plugged into an outlet, simply unplug the unit for one minute and then plug the unit back in.
If the door or lid won't open at the end of the cycle, then the lock mechanism may be at fault. 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.
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.
Turning off the machine at the mains should allow the door lock to cool down, and after a few minutes, you'll be able to open the washing machine door. The interlocks can take some time to release at the end of the cycle, so be patient. The most common cause is water left in the machine. Try running a spin/drain cycle.
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.
Turn off the machine: If pausing or cancelling the cycle doesn't unlock the door, try turning off the washing machine by unplugging it from the power source. Leave it unplugged for a few minutes to allow any residual power to dissipate.
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.
Perform a Reset: Turn off the washing machine and unplug it from the power source. Wait for about 10 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on. This can sometimes reset the machine and release the door lock.
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. If you remove a split washer, place the screwdriver head under the washer or inside the split.
If the door doesn't open as it should after the cycle has ended, the next step is to hold the “control lock” button down for 3 seconds. You should be able to hear an unlatching sound followed by being able to open the door.
If you want to try resolving issues with your washing machine, such as power surges or error codes, it's possible you might need to perform a quick reset. One way you can reset a washer is by unplugging the unit for at least one minute, then plugging it back in and restarting the appliance.
There are three recommended methods of unblocking a washing machine drain yourself. These are to use baking soda and vinegar, a chemical drain cleaner, or do it manually. You can also potentially fix the issue by straightening out the washing machine drain hose if it has become twisted.
Please remember, most washing machines require up to 2 mins for the door to release open once the cycle has finished. Attempting to open the door or simply forgetting this simple fact may result in breaking the handle.
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. This can sometimes reset the machine and release the door lock.
Some common fixes for washing machines that won't drain include performing a master reset, testing the lid switch assembly, and clearing clogged drain hoses and pumps.
Water Fill Delay: The washer may take too long to fill with water, triggering a safety lock to prevent flooding. Electronic Glitch: A minor glitch in the washer's electronics can cause the door lock light to flash. Mechanical Issue: The door latch mechanism might be faulty or require a manual reset.
Pressure Switch – Some models of washing machine doors will stay locked even after a cycle because the machine won't reset to empty. This means your lock will still be energised and won't release however it can be fixed by turning off power at the mains and leaving the machine to cool down for 5-10 minutes.
Power Off/On: Turning off the machine and unplugging it for a few minutes, then plugging it back in and restarting it, could reset the machine and unlock the door.