The door of the washing machine cannot be opened

Issue

• The door of the washing machine cannot be opened
• The washing machine door is stuck
• The washing machine is locked and displays a "key" (door lock icon)
• The key symbol on washing machine display
• Emergency opening of the washing machine door

Applies to

• Front loader washing machine (integrated and freestanding)

Resolution

1. Too short time since the end of the program.

The door can be opened about 3-5 minutes after the end of the washing cycle (after the bimetal in the door lock has cooled down). This is normal and not malfunction.

2. Make sure the door lock icon is not active.

On some models, if there is a problem with opening the door and the display is off, turn on the washing machine and make sure the door lock icon ("key" symbol) is not active.

3. Check if there is water in the machine.

If there is water in the machine, the door cannot be opened. If you want to open the door, you can do it after the water has been pumped out or, if necessary, by performing an emergency drain operation on the machine. Follow the instructions below:

• open the fluff filter and let the water drain out from the front into a tray or down a floor drain (on some machines you do this by opening a spout on the fluff filter and loosening the filter carefully or, on machines without a fluff filter, you loosen the drainage hose at the back of the machine and then lay it along the floor so that the water can be channeled off via the drainage hose)
• check if the drains are fine
• clean the bottom fluff filter
• run a wash cycle again to see whether this has resolved the problem.

For more information refer to the user manual supplied with your appliance or click here (How to drain your washing machine)

Download the user manual.

4. Perform emergency door opening (selected models).

On some machines, the door can be opened in an emergency by pulling down on a bar using a screwdriver or similar object, for example. 

If the machine has an emergency release, it is located next to the fluff filter (pictured below). See the full description in the user manual. 

Download the user manual.

Step 1: Press the On/Off button to switch the appliance off

Step 2: Disconnect the mains plug from the mains socket

Step 3: Open the filter flap

Step 4: Pull the emergency unlock trigger downward once. Pull it downward once again, keep it tensed and, in the meanwhile, open the appliance door

Step 5: Take out the laundry and then close the appliance door

Step 6: Close the filter flap