Common washing machine problem
Washing machine door won't open? What to try, and what not to
A washing machine door that will not open usually has water still in the drum because it has not drained, or the door lock has failed. The lock also takes a minute or two to release after a cycle ends. Whatever you do, do not force it.
- £75 fixed labour fee, plus parts
- Usually repaired the same or next working day
- Parts and labour guaranteed
What you might be seeing
- The cycle has finished but the door stays locked.
- The door light is on and the handle won't move.
- You can see water in the drum through the glass.
- The machine won't start because the door won't lock either.
Checks that are safe to do at home
If you are happy to have a look yourself, these are the checks that are safe to do. Unplug the machine first. If you would rather not, just give us a call. We're always happy to help.
- Wait five minutes. Nearly every machine keeps the door locked for one to five minutes after the cycle ends, and longer if the drum is still hot.
- Look through the glass. If there is water in the drum, the machine will not release the door. Run a drain or spin programme; if it will not drain, follow our not-draining checks.
- Check the child lock. It is usually a padlock or key symbol on the panel, and the manual says how to turn it off.
- Switch off at the wall for two minutes, then on again. A paused cycle, a power cut during the cycle or a confused control board often resets.
- Unplug the machine and open the filter flap at the bottom front. Many machines have an emergency release: a small cord or lever behind the flap that pulls the lock back.
Electrical Safety First has general advice on using a washing machine safely.
Rather we had a look?
That is fine too. Ring us with the make and what the machine is doing, and we will give you the price before anyone comes out. A locked door is a quick job.
Still not working? The likely causes
Most common first, and how we tell them apart on the day.
The normal delay after a cycle
One to five minutes. Not a fault.
Water still in the drum
A draining problem, not a door problem. The lock is doing its job.
Child lock on, or the cycle paused
Check the panel symbols and the manual.
Door lock (interlock) failed, or overheated
A common fault. The lock can also stay shut if it has overheated. We test the lock's switch and its wiring before replacing it.
Handle or catch broken
Often after someone forced the door.
Pressure switch fault
The machine thinks there is still water in the drum, so it keeps the door shut.
Control board fault
Less common, and diagnosed last.
What the repair costs, and whether it is worth it
Our labour is a fixed £75 for a freestanding machine or £85 for a built-in one, including VAT, whatever the fault. Parts are extra and quoted first. The part prices below are based on Hotpoint parts when we last checked. Other makes can cost more or less.
| Repair | Typical part price | Typical total | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drain the machine and release the door | No part | £75 (£85 built-in) | Usually yes |
| New door lock (interlock) | £10 to £49 | £85 to £124 | Usually yes |
| New handle or catch | £10 to £40 | £85 to £115 | Usually yes |
A door lock is one of the less expensive repairs, and it is usually worth doing.
What repairs usually cost, part by part · Is it worth repairing your washing machine?
Error codes that mean this fault
If your machine shows a code, it is telling you which circuit failed its check. These are the ones that point to this fault.
| Make | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Hotpoint and Indesit | F06 (also check the recall) | What it means → |
| Samsung | dC / dE | What it means → |
| LG | dE / dE1 / dE2 | What it means → |
| Bosch, Siemens, Neff | E16 | What it means → |
| Beko | E01 | What it means → |
| AEG, Zanussi, Electrolux | E40 | What it means → |
| Miele | F34 / F35 | What it means → |
Related problems: Not draining · Won't turn on · all common problems
Questions people ask
How do I open a washing machine door that is locked with water inside?
Unplug the machine, put towels down and drain it through the emergency tube behind the filter flap (or by slowly unscrewing the filter). Once the water's out, most doors release after a minute or two, or with the emergency cord behind the flap.
Why won't my washing machine door lock, so it won't start?
Usually the lock, its wiring or the catch. Sometimes clothes caught in the door, or an overloaded drum, stop it closing properly. We test before replacing anything.
My Hotpoint shows F06. Is that the recall?
F06 is Hotpoint's door-lock code, and Hotpoint links it to the 2019 safety recall of machines sold between October 2014 and February 2018. Stop using the machine and check your model number on the recall checker before anything else.
If the door is still locked, ring us. It is usually a quick job.
- 1
Ring or book online. A photo of any error code helps.
- 2
We tell you the likely fault and the price before anyone comes out.
- 3
We come the same or next working day, fix it and run a wash with you.
Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5.30pm