Every washing machine door locks during an active wash cycle to prevent you from being able to open it while there is still hot water inside the drum.
When the cycle completes, the door catch should automatically unlock, leaving the door open and allowing you to unload your laundry from the drum.
The most common reasons why a Hotpoint washing machine door won’t open include:
- A broken door lock or catch
- An active child lock
- Problems with the drainage system or pressure system
The Door Catch On Your Washer
In many washing machines, the door catch mechanism can take a few minutes to release once a wash cycle has ended. After this point, the door opens easily, and you can remove your laundry and either place it in a tumble dryer or on a drying rack.
When the door is locked after a cycle has finished
However, if your locked washing machine door remains even after the cycle has finished, this can be a problem. Leaving damp clothes inside the washer drum can cause them to go stale or smell musty, and you might need to wash them again.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
There are a number of reasons why the washing machine drum might stay closed, even when it’s finished running a cycle. This article will cover the most common causes of this issue and how to fix it.
Don’t Force The Washer Door Open
Before discussing why washer doors get jammed shut and how to fix this common issue, it’s important to reiterate the importance of being gentle with your appliance!
Avoid forcing the door to Open
If the door on your washing machine won’t release, don’t be tempted to force it open. Doing so will likely cause a lot of damage and could lead to a broken door latch and costly repairs or replacements.
Why the Door Won’t Open On Hotpoint Washing Machines
A jammed door is one of the most frustrating faults in every washing machine of any brand, including Hotpoint washing machines.
You’ll be happy to hear that fixing a jammed door lock is quick and easy. However, you’ll need to do some troubleshooting to identify the cause of the issue so that you can find the right resolution.
Following the manufacturer’s advice
If you are unsure how to open your washer door after reading through this guide, look at the instruction manual that your manufacturer has provided for your specific washer model. Since different models have unique settings and features, your manual will cover everything that you need to know.
Calling customer service
You can also call the customer service team at Hotpoint for expert advice if you’re still stuck after reading through the instruction book.
The Door Lock is Faulty
The most common cause of jammed washing machine doors is faulty door locks. If the lock on your washer door has broken or come loose, it can get stuck and won’t release when you pull the door handle.
Purchasing a new door lock
In most washing machines, the door lock is easy and inexpensive to replace. You’ll be able to do it yourself by following the manufacturer’s guidelines or watching an online tutorial video.
The Door Catch is Broken
If the door handle or latch is broken, you might struggle to manually open the door after a wash cycle. Usually, it’s easy to spot a broken door catch, so if this is the cause of your issue, you’ll know how to resolve it.
Replacing or repairing the door latch
Purchase a replacement door catch or attempt to repair it yourself. If you’re stuck, consider calling a washing machine engineer to your home to fix or replace the door latch for you.
The Child Lock is Active
Most washing machines have a child lock mechanism that you can activate to prevent your little one from adjusting the settings on your appliance. When the child lock is active, it disables all other buttons on the control panel.
Accidentally activating the child lock
It’s easy to activate the child lock feature on the top panel of your washing machine by accident before a wash cycle or mid-cycle, as it usually only requires the press of a button or sensor. If the child lock is active, the washer door locks and won’t release, no matter how hard you pull the door handle.
Looking At the instruction manual
You can find the details on how to activate and deactivate the child lock on your washing machine model in your instruction manual. However, the process is very similar in most washing machines.
Deactivating the child lock
To deactivate the child lock, press the child lock button down or touch the symbol for a few seconds until you hear a clicking noise. Once you have deactivated the child lock, you may need to hold the start button down for a few seconds to reset your appliance.
When you turn your washer back on, you should be able to simply pull the stuck door and get your clothes out of the drum.
The Drainage System Isn’t working Correctly
When your washing machine door remains locked after it’s completed a wash cycle, take a look inside the drum of your washing machine to check whether there is any water inside the drum.
If there is still a large volume of water in the drum after the wash cycle is complete, it indicates that there is a problem with the water pump or drain hose system in your appliance.
You will need to drain all of the water out of your washing machine into a bucket so that there is little to no water left inside. You can then release the door latch, so you can get your clothes out of the machine.
Looking at your manual for guidance
Refer to the manufacturer’s instruction manual for details on how to drain your Hotpoint washing machine, as the exact method could vary depending on which model you own.
The Pressure Switch is Faulty
In some washing machines, faults with the pressure switch can activate the door lock automatically. If you suspect an issue with the pressure switch in your appliance, switch it off using the power button or by unplugging it from the main electrical supply.
Resetting the washer
Wait for the washer to reset for a few minutes before turning it back on and checking whether the door opens. If it doesn’t open after you’ve reset the machine, you’ll need to call an engineer to visit your home so they can investigate the issue further.
Final Word
Dealing with a locked washing machine door is never fun, but the resolution to this common issue is usually pretty simple. Once you’ve identified the reason why your washer’s door won’t open, follow the relevant steps that are mentioned in this guide to fix the problem.
If you’re still stuck after trying to get your door open by yourself, don’t hesitate to contact Hotpoint and request a home visit or some expert advice from one of their technicians. If your appliance is still under warranty, this service may be free.
