Washing machine door won't open? How to get it unlocked

A door that won't open with your wet washing trapped inside is more annoying than serious. Most of the time you can get it open yourself, and when you can't, it's a common and straightforward fix. Door won't open or lock is around 14% of our recent washing machine repairs. Here's how to get into it safely first.

Getting it open

Give it a couple of minutes before you do anything. Most machines hold the door locked for two or three minutes after a cycle as a safety feature, so it may not be stuck at all.

Next, make sure it's drained. A machine won't let the door go while there's water in the drum, so if it stopped mid-cycle with water inside, drain it down at the filter first. Our guide on a washing machine not draining shows how.

If it's drained and still shut, turn it off at the wall for a minute, switch it back on, and run a short drain or spin to prompt the lock to release.

Still shut? There's a manual release. With the machine off at the wall, open the filter flap at the bottom front. Most machines have a small emergency cord or lever in there that frees the door catch. Check your manual for exactly where it is before you pull anything.

When it's a fault

Drained, cooled down and still locked usually means the door interlock, the electrical lock that holds the door, or a broken handle or latch where the catch itself has snapped. Both are parts we replace regularly and it's a routine fix. The usual band is £80 to £150, with the part quoted separately and the price confirmed before work.

Book a washing machine repair

If you've drained it, tried the manual release and it's still shut, book a washing machine repair or find your local washing machine engineer.

Frequently asked questions

How do I open a door that's stuck shut?

Wait a few minutes for the safety lock, make sure the machine is drained, turn it off and on, and if it's still shut use the emergency cord behind the filter flap. Switch the machine off at the wall first.

Why won't the door open after a cycle?

Usually it's still within the safety-lock delay, or there's water left in the drum. Drained, cooled and still locked normally means the interlock or the handle latch has failed.

Can I force it open?

Don't. You'll break the handle or the catch. Use the manual emergency release behind the filter flap instead, which is there for exactly this.

How much does it cost?

The usual band is £80 to £150 depending on whether it's the interlock or the handle, with the part quoted separately.