The door lock on the washing machine does not work

If the lock on the washing machine does not work, then you can forget about washing until the problem with the lock is solved. The fact is that if the lock is stuck in the “Open” position, then the washing machine’s control module simply will not be able to start the machine’s operating cycle. The device will see a problem with the UBL, so it will block all buttons except “turn on” and “turn off”, and also display an error code on the display. There is no point in trying to get around this problem; it is better to start diagnostics to understand whether it is a mechanical failure or a problem with the UBL. Today we will tell you how to accurately calculate and fix this problem.

List of possible causes of the problem

Even service center professionals will not be able to immediately say why exactly the door lock does not work, since there are too many possible reasons for the failure. The hatch may not lock due to the following problems:

• door hinges sagged;
• the plastic tongue on the hatch lock has moved;
• UBL broke;
• The lock guide or rubber gasket has worn out over time.

If you cannot figure out the cause of the breakdown yourself, run the washing machine’s self-diagnosis system, which will display an error code on the display.

If your washing machine was purchased relatively recently and is a modern model, then most likely it has a self-diagnosis system. This useful feature can tell you what to do about the problem by displaying a code on the dashboard.

Usually the sunroof does not close either due to mechanics or electronics. But no matter where the cause of the problem is, the washer will not start washing until the cause is eliminated. Let's move from words to diagnostics and repair.

The door mechanism is faulty

Due to the fact that the lock mechanism on the hatch most often fails, this is where you should start checking. When the lock on a washing machine does not work, it could be a breakdown of the locking mechanism, a misalignment of the element, or even a sagging door. All of the above can arise due to careless operation, for example, if the door was slammed too hard, heavy things were hung on it, or children rode on the hatch.

If the machine stops closing altogether and there is no characteristic locking click, then you are faced with a mechanical problem. There are also several types of mechanical failure.

• The door stopped closing completely - it was misaligned. Most likely, the hinges in your home assistant have sagged, so the lock tongue no longer fits into the groove. It is easy to fix this damage - you just need to tighten the hinges and adjust the door level with your own hands.
• When the door can be closed, but it does not lock in the “Closed” position, you need to check the tongue. The metal rod holding it may have become warped or fallen out. Fixing this problem will take more time - you need to disassemble the door and return the tongue to its original position. If this cannot be done, then the entire part will have to be replaced.

If you are going to do the repairs yourself, then buy a new lock only after you find out the serial number of your washing machine, and also have the old lock on hand as a sample.

• A situation where the hatch can be closed and locked, but there is no characteristic click. The problem is probably hidden in the guide.We are talking about a thin plate that is placed in the washing machine in the UBL body for final fixation of the door. If the plate has worn out or changed its position over time, then there will no longer be a joint, nor will there be a click.

Each of the three listed cases requires disassembling the hatch along with its lock in order to assess the condition of all parts. If the damaged element cannot be adjusted or restored, you will have to buy a new one. If you do not know exactly how the lock works, or are not confident in your abilities, then it would be better to call a service center specialist.

Locking device

If all the mechanics are in order: the lock works, there is also the first click, but there is no second click, then it is necessary to check the hatch locking device. It is the UBL in household appliances that is responsible for the electronic locking of the door - additional protection, without the normal operation of which not a single washing machine will start washing. If the machine washed without this electronic protection, then an inexperienced owner of the washing machine or a child could open the hatch right in the middle of the working cycle, which would lead to damage to the device and a real flood.

If the sunroof locking device does not function, the door lock will not operate. Electronic protection may not be activated due to a number of reasons.

• Wear due to long periods of use of the washing machine. If you have been using a home assistant for many years, then the UBL bimetallic plate could wear off and simply lose electrical conductivity. In this case, repair is impossible and you need to purchase a new protective element.
• Device clogged. This is the least terrible problem of all, because if debris gets into the UBL, you can disassemble the element and simply remove all small foreign objects.
• The worst case scenario is a problem with the control board. In this case, the hatch locking device loses communication with the electronic unit of the “home assistant”. This can happen due to burnt tracks, triacs, problems with the machine’s firmware, or due to a banal system failure. If you suspect this particular option, then reboot the device just in case, and if the same error number appears on the display again, then it will be necessary to conduct a comprehensive check of the control module.

If you can check the mechanics yourself at home, using basic tools, then it is better to delegate the diagnostics of the electronic systems of the washing machine to specialists. Without professional education and experience, you can only damage the UBL and the washing machine, which will only increase the cost of repairs. Therefore, feel free to check the door mechanism personally, and trust the hatch locking device and control module to professionals so that your equipment will serve you for a long time.

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