LG Washer Door Won't Unlock

LG washers are fairly tough, but they occasionally have a locked door problem. This issue is usually caused by excess amounts of water left in the machine, but it’s easy to solve. Gone are the days of waiting hours to unlock your washer. Let’s review what you need to do to fix this problem.

When you’re dealing with an LG washer door that won’t unlock, turn off the machine, unplug it, and wait for about 45 to 60 seconds. Next, drain out the water and clean the hinges to keep it running smoothly. Finally, keep the lines and filter clean to prevent clogs and locking issues.

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following information about LG washer doors that won’t unlock:

Various causes of locked washer doors
How you can fix it quickly right at home
Prevention methods for stuck LG washer doors

Why Won’t My LG Washer Door Unlock?

If you’re having trouble with a locked door, you’re not alone. Old washer machines are notorious for this common issue. LG usually does a good job of preventing it, but it’s often a simple fix anyways.

Here’s a list of reasons that an LG washer door won’t open:

The laundry is still too hot to remove. As LG states, the locking mechanism is often triggered to prevent harm to the user. If the contents are too hot, then it could cause burns and blisters. Rather than exposing you to such high temperatures, the door of your washer will stay locked for a bit longer.
The door could be jammed shut. When there’s a broken or jammed latch on the inside of the washing machine, it could be preventing you from opening it. Try lifting the handle slightly, then pull it towards you. This method often helps open a jammed door or a broken latch quickly.
Something inside is preventing it from opening. Clothes that get stuck in the door could hold it closed. You might have to do a bit of wiggling the door handle back and forth to get it unstuck. On that note, large boots and bags could be jamming it shut from the inside, which can be fixed in the same way.
There’s still water draining out of the machine. This issue is the most common. It’s actually not even a problem at all. LG intentionally programs their washers to stay locked until the water drains out. Once it’s all gone, you’ll be able to open the door. It usually makes an audible clicking sound.
The hinges are corroded or rusted shut. Old hinges on a washer start to calcify or rust. Both substances can and will eventually slow the opening process. You’ll notice when it’s about to happen because the hinges will start to squeal every time you open and close the door.

LG Washing Machine Door Not Opening

If your LG washing machine door is not opening, it could be due to a few different reasons. One possibility is that there is a problem with the washing machine’s door latch or lock, which can prevent the door from opening. Another potential cause could be a clogged or malfunctioning drain pump, which can prevent water from properly draining from the washing machine and cause the door to remain locked.

To fix the issue, there are a few things you can try. First, try resetting the washing machine by unplugging it from the power source for a few minutes and then plugging it back in. If that doesn’t work, try running a diagnostic cycle by following the instructions in your washing machine’s user manual. This can help you identify any specific issues that may be causing the door to remain locked.

How to Fix a Laundry Door That’s Stuck

Although there are dozens of reasons that the door could be stuck, there’s a simple 5-step process that you can follow to fix all of them. You don’t need any special tools, other than rust inhibitor, and maybe a screwdriver.

Here’s how to unlock the door:

Unplug the machine to let it cool off. You want to make sure that there’s no electricity going to the washer. The sensors will start to turn off one by one, which means you’ll be able to move onto the second step. As mentioned by Washing Codes, allow the machine to stay off for at least a minute or so.
Place pans and towels in front of the machine. You’re eventually going to have to unlock the door, which might release several gallons of water onto the floor. Many washing machines use between 10 to 45+ gallons of water, most of which will pour out if you’re forcing the door open.
Open the door after 45 seconds. Once the power has been shut off for a while, you can open the door. As mentioned above, it usually makes a loud clicking noise to let you know that it’s open. It’s not a computerized sound; It’s just the noise made by the latch releasing, so you’ll still hear it when it’s unplugged.
Drain the excess water and check the latches and hinges. Allow the water to pour out onto the pans and towels until it’s all gone. You might have to use bowls or siphon it out of the machine to get rid of all of the moisture. While you’re at it, you can unclog the lines as you’ll learn in the next section.
Close the door, plug it back in, and turn the machine back on. When you’re all wrapped up and finished, it’s a smart idea to try to run the washer and to see if the door unlocks. If it opens, you know what the issue was. If not, then you might want to look at the locks, latches, and hinges.

Prevention Suggestions

Prevention is often the best solution to any laundry machine problem. LG washers are resilient, but maintenance is always an absolute must. Fortunately, you’re going to learn everything you need to know to prevent your laundry door from locking anymore.

Use WD40 on Metal Parts

WD40 is one of the best lubricants for metal surfaces. Look at the material that the hinges and latches are made out of. If they’re any type of metal, such as steel or aluminum, then you can spray some of this rust preventative all over the surface. Remember to wipe away the excess solution to prevent it from pooling or solidifying.

A word of caution: Don’t spray any rust inhibitor in or around your laundry machine when it has clothing inside. Also, don’t use it when you’re working on the hoses or filters since it can cause clogs later on. The best time to use it is when everything’s sealed and the machine is empty.

Always Unclog the Lines and Clean the Filter

When there’s a clog in your LG washer machine, it can cause the water to stay inside. Water that sticks around can cause never-ending spin cycles and locks that don’t come undone. Both of these annoying issues can be solved by cleaning the filter and emptying the lines regularly. Depending on how much laundry is done, you should do this monthly.

Call a Professional for Annual Maintenance

Finally, consider calling someone to come out once per year to inspect the laundry room. Water supply clogs, electrical malfunctions, and broken parts that are out of your reach can cause a plethora of mechanical errors. Try contacting a local LG technician to get someone who knows how to work on the exact washer machine model that you have.

Fixing your locked laundry machine door doesn’t have to be such a hassle. With these three suggestions, you’ll prevent it from happening in the first place. It’s better to do a little bit of maintenance here and there rather than having to buy a brand-new washer because of a serious breakage.

Final Thoughts

Whether your LG washer door is locked from excess water, clogs, or rusted hinges, you can fix it in due time. There’s no reason to panic or call someone to come out right away. You have everything you need right at home to get the job done.

Here’s a quick recap of the post:

Listen to mechanical problems and deal with them as they arise.
A locked laundry machine door isn’t always a malfunction; It can be a safety precaution.
Hot water and draining pipes can be the reason that the door doesn’t open right away.