How to open a Bosch dishwasher

Let's imagine that our Bosch dishwasher, after a meticulous wash, literally refuses to give us back our dishes. The door locks tightly at the end of the wash cycle and refuses to open. What should we do in such a frustrating situation? How do we open the Bosch dishwasher to get our favorite mug and plate back? Let's try to figure out this far from funny question and do something about it.

How to unlock the washing chamber?

Some Bosch dishwasher models have a door lock that can be opened at any time, but this is rare. Most dishwashers have a door lock, and sometimes it can cause serious problems. What should you do if the door won't open? Online advice suggests investigating the cause of the door lock, inspecting the lock, and taking other steps. But how can you do this if half the components are inaccessible because the door is locked?

It is best to do nothing during the first hours. Sometimes the dishwasher door won't open because the power has been cut off or there are other problems with the machine's power supply. But even if nothing bad happens, the block will lift automatically within a few hours. In the worst-case scenario, the block should lift automatically within 10 hours.

While you're waiting, don't pry the door with a screwdriver or try to tug the handle too hard. Doing so could cause unnecessary damage to your "home helper."

On new Bosch dishwashers, the door sometimes won't open due to the rubber seal. The new U-shaped seal is glued to the door and prevents it from opening. Pulling too hard on the handle will open the door, but you can tear the seal, so you need to gradually increase the force.

Why does the malfunction occur?

A seal stained with glue and a power outage aren't the only things that can cause a door to become permanently locked. In some cases, this problem is caused by serious malfunctions.

1. Damaged outlet or power cord. A pinched or cut power cord or a shorted outlet will cause the dishwasher to lose power. As a result, the door lock will not release for some time.
2. Door locking device failure. If the door locking device itself is faulty, the door will not open after the wash cycle is complete.
3. The drain hose is kinked or there is a blockage in the system. If water cannot be drained from the dishwasher, the control module initiates protective measures to prevent dirty water from escaping from the wash chamber. The door is locked until the water is drained.
4. Control board failure. If the control board fails to send a signal to unlock the door for some reason, it will remain locked for many hours.

If you suspect the control board is faulty, you should call a specialist. The control board is an expensive component, and a home-made repair can lead to mistakes that could lead to irreparable damage. It's better to pay a little extra for a specialist's services than to shell out half the cost of a new dishwasher for repairs.

How to fix the problem?

If you find that the door of your Bosch dishwasher is locked and won't open, you should check for power. You can do this with a test screwdriver or simply plug in a working appliance. Next, check the power cord. A broken cord (if it was crushed) will show signs of soot and smoke, even visually. If a visual inspection doesn't reveal any signs of damage, you can use a multimeter to test the cord for continuity. It's possible it's simply broken under the insulation.

The next step is to disconnect the dishwasher from the water supply and drain, move it to the middle of the room, and place some rags underneath it. As you pull the machine out, listen for any splashing sounds. If the machine doesn't drain, there's likely a serious blockage that needs to be cleared.

Wait for the machine to unlock the door. Carefully open the door and immediately remove the debris filter. Next, unscrew the ion exchanger cap and tilt the dishwasher slightly toward you or to the right to allow excess water to drain onto the floor. If you encounter any problems, please read the article. How to drain a Bosch dishwasherAfter cleaning the filter, the machine should start working properly again.

Keep in mind that a lot of water may leak out, so if you have laminate flooring, it’s best to move the machine to a more forgiving surface.

If the door locking device is broken, then repairing it is usually useless. It'll have to be replaced. You can order a genuine spare part from one of the many stores scattered across the internet, or you can purchase it at your nearest Bosch parts store. The device is located directly under the top cover of the wash chamber; removing this cover gives you full access to it. Simply disconnect the old device, install the new one in its place, and then replace the cover. It's as simple as that.

Some users ask: can the dishwasher be opened while it's running? The Bosch dishwasher manual will answer this question. On some models, the door can be opened while the program is running, allowing the user to place a forgotten glass or bowl in the basket. If the manual allows opening the door while the dishwasher is running, it's okay, but if the manual prohibits such actions, it's best to obey.

So, we've established that the Bosch dishwasher's door lock is quite tricky. It can lock the door for a long time, causing problems for the user, but it will eventually disengage and the door will open if you wait. Further action is needed to identify the cause of the prolonged lock and, if possible, resolve it.

   

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