Washing machine door not closing or locking: what our engineers find
These figures come from NAC's own repair records: 134 washing machine jobs our engineers attended for this fault. Here is what they found, what fixed it and what it typically cost.
When a washing machine door will not close or lock, the cause is most often a failed door lock. This is the small locking unit that holds the door shut during a wash and tells the machine the door is safely closed. Its plastic workings can wear, crack or snap, so the door may not catch at all, may need slamming before a cycle will start, or may close but never lock. Many machines show an error code on the display when this happens.
An engineer will usually check that power is reaching the lock and then test the lock itself to see whether it responds when the machine asks it to lock. They also look for broken or damaged pieces inside the catch. Now and then a snapped latch can be repaired on the spot, but the lock usually needs replacing, and the new one often has to be ordered and fitted at a second visit.
Once the new lock is in, the engineer runs the machine to make sure the door locks, the wash fills and drains, and the door releases again at the end. Engineers sometimes find other wear while they are there, such as a mouldy door seal that also needs replacing.
Written by our engineers from these jobs.
- Jobs attended
- 134
- Confirmed repairs
- 77
- This is not a success rate. Jobs inside their 60-day window, jobs still being classified, jobs held for review and visits that didn't end in a repair aren't counted.
- Fixed at the first appointment
- 16%
- about 1 in 6 of our repairs
- Typical total paid by customers
- £144 to £173
- including parts and VAT, from 73 repairs
What's usually behind it
The causes our engineers found and fixed, as a share of our 77 confirmed repairs for this fault.
-
Failed door lock: about 3 in 5 of our repairs, from 48 jobs.
62%
We only list causes with enough repairs behind them, so the shares won't add up to 100%.
Error codes we see with this fault
- Hotpoint F06: Door lock fault, often the lock not releasing at the end of the cycle.
- Samsung DC: Door lock or door circuit fault, door not closing or locking.
- Hotpoint F05: Drain fault, the machine cannot empty.
About the price. £144 to £173 is the typical total paid by customers, including parts and VAT: the middle half of what customers paid on 73 of these repairs. Repairs paid for by manufacturers and insurers aren't counted, because that work is charged at contract rates. It's a guide, not a quote. Your engineer confirms a fixed price before any work starts.
Before you check anything yourself
- Switch the washing machine off and unplug it, or turn it off at the isolator switch, before you touch anything. Our guide to safely isolating an appliance walks you through it.
- If it involves the mains supply, sealed parts, or you're not confident at any point, stop and book a qualified engineer rather than risk injury or further damage.
Rather leave it to us?
- Fixed-price quote before any work starts
- Same or next-day visits where available
- UK-wide engineer coverage