One thing that makes laundry day much more hassle is when something goes wrong with the washing machine. Such as when the Indesit washing machine door locks and you can’t open it.
Most of the time, this is a minor annoyance and can be fixed within seconds. Sometimes it takes more effort to open the door so that you can get on with your day.
The trick to opening the door when locked will depend on why it won’t open in the first place. In this article, I will go over why the door won’t unlock and what you can do to troubleshoot it.
Most Common Causes of an Indesit Washing Locked Door
There are a few possible reasons why the door might stay locked. It’s important to troubleshoot the issue to determine the root cause and take appropriate action to unlock the door and prevent recurring problems.
Here are some common reasons for a locked door:
It’s still in operation
Check the light on the display because you may find the washer is still in operation and the door is locked for safety. The cycle is over, but it won’t unlock until everything has finished its course.
Give it a few minutes, then check back to ensure the cycle is over, and the door is unlocked.
The washing machine doesn’t drain
When washing machines can’t pump the water out, it will get stuck in the drain cycle with the door locked. If somebody opens it up with water inside the drum, this prevents water from flooding the floor.
You’ll need to drain it manually, check for a blockage in the drain hose or drain filter, and clear it out. You can do this by opening up the flap at the bottom front of the washer. Keep a bucket underneath ready to collect the water, and slowly open the cover cap for the drain filter. Remove the filter and check it for things like coins and other debris. Once it is emptied and the blockage has cleared, you can restart the machine to start the load again.
The start delay is activated
It is possible to put your was on a timer, so it starts at a more convenient time for you. One reason would be to take advantage of off-peak electrical rates. Sometimes you turn the delay on by accident, or you need to remember that it is set. The door will be locked until the delay is turned off.
There is an error code
For safety, the door will lock if there is a problem with the washing machine. This is to prevent you from opening the door while there is still water in the drum or if something dangerous is happening, such as a short circuit.
The washing machine is overloaded
Putting too many clothes into the washing machine will cause it to become dangerous during the operation. Water-logged clothing will strain the spinning drum and cause it to spin out of control. The door will lock to prevent you from opening the washer to protect you from this scenario.
Power was lost
If power is cut during the operation of the appliance, the door can sometimes lock. This is because the washer has a safety feature that prevents the door from being opened during the process.
When the washer loses power, it cannot release the lock mechanism until power is restored. Sometimes, the door may remain locked even after power is restored, requiring manual intervention or resetting the machine to release the lock.
The circuit board is faulty
If there is a malfunction in the circuit board, the computer sends a signal to the door to lock in case of a safety concern.
The Best Ways to Manually Open the Door
Finding your Indesit washing machine door locked and won’t open can be frustrating and worrying. Fortunately, several ways exist to unlock the door and get your laundry out.
Check the Child Lock
Newer Indesit washing machines have a child lock feature. It may have been activated accidentally, causing the door to remain locked. The child may have even started it since they love pushing buttons. It’s a safety feature on many washing machines to ensure they can’t open the door during the operation and get into trouble.
You can deactivate it and open the door by deactivating the feature. __The child lock button is usually located on the washing machine’s control panel and is often marked with a red light padlock symbol. Hold the child lock button for a few seconds, and the light will turn off, indicating that the door can be opened.
Change the cycle
Sometimes the computer in washing machines needs clarification and will get stuck in a cycle. If the cycle in question is one in which the door will be locked, you can open it once you change the cycle. You should be able to change the programme by turning the selector knob. If this doesn’t work, try unplugging the washing machine for a few minutes and then plugging it back in. You should be able to change the wash cycle to one where the door unlocks.
Check the Power Supply
Did you lose power, or was a circuit breaker flipped that shut off the power supply to the washing machine? This is the first thing to suss out to be able to open the door. Check that the power cord is plugged in and that the circuit breaker or fuse for the washing machine has not been tripped. If you see a red light on the display, then you know it currently has power, but if the power goes out and then comes back on it can cause a locked door.
Some washing machines will automatically release the door lock when power is restored. To test this, press the “Start/Pause” button to see if you can open the door. If pressing the “Start/Pause” button doesn’t work, the washer may have stopped mid-cycle. In this case, wait for the appliance to complete its cycle; the door should unlock once the wash cycle is finished.
Sometimes waiting a few minutes while the washer is unplugged or without power before turning it on will help to reset it, and you can then manually unlock the door.
Use the Emergency Release Cord
Assuming that there is power and the operation of the washing machine is complete, you may need to open manually open the door.
You can use the emergency release cord. The cord is usually located behind a small flap at the bottom of the machine. Before you try to access it, you should shut the power to the washing machine.
Once you have located the emergency release cord, pull it firmly to release the door lock. You may need to use some force, but be careful not to use too much force as this can damage the lock mechanism or the door itself. While pulling the tab for the cable, you can use the other hand to press the door handle to open it up. NB: Top loading machines don’t have this switch assembly as they have a magnet lock.
Take the Door Off
In the extreme case of the door not unlocking, no matter how you try, you can remove the door itself. This usually is done when the switch is faulty or the handle is broken. You should be able to remove the door and replace the latch yourself.
It’s not complicated, but here are the steps to follow:
- Unplug the appliance: Before attempting to remove the door, ensure that the washing machine is unplugged from the power source to prevent any accidents.
- Locate the release tabs: On most Indesit washing machines, there are two release tabs located at the bottom of the door lock mechanism.
- Insert a flathead screwdriver: Insert a flathead screwdriver into the gap between the release tabs and the door lock mechanism. Gently pry the tabs open using the screwdriver.
- Pull the door away: With the tabs pried open, carefully pull the door away from the washing machine. Hold the door firmly and lift it straight out of the hinge slots to prevent damage to the machine or the door.
- Store the door: Once the door has been removed from the machine, storing it in a safe place to prevent any damage is essential. Wrap the door in a soft cloth or bubble wrap to protect it from scratches or other damage.
- Remove the hinge: Unscrew the hinge and door latch assembly and replace it with a new one.
Remember that the warranty can be voided if you damage the door or any other part of the appliance when doing this yourself.
How to Prevent the Door from Getting Locked Again
Once you experience the frustration of not being able to unlock the door, you will want to keep it from happening again. You can do a few things to prevent this from happening again.
Avoid overloading
Overloading washing machines can cause them to become unbalanced during the spin cycle, triggering the door lock mechanism. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s drum load size recommendations to prevent this.
Keep the door hinge clean
The door lock assembly can collect lint, grime, and debris and cause the door to malfunction. Make cleaning the door lock part of your regular cleaning routine.
Do regular maintenance
Ensure to keep the machine in good working order; you will not likely have the door locking itself any longer. If you keep the pump filter clean so it can drain water, the door latch assembly clean, and replace the brushes when they get worn, you won’t have any nasty surprises.
Final Thoughts
Prevention is the best medicine, so maintaining the washing machine is your best bet. However, if the door won’t open, then you now know what you can do about it. This guide should be bookmarked and referred to, so if you ever have the same problem again, getting your clothes out of the washing machine won’t be a problem.
