The key or lock indicator is on on the washing machine.
Most washing machines have a key or lock indicator, located as a separate light on the control panel. In some models, symbols on the machine's display also serve as indicators.
This indicator is rarely noticed unless it's constantly on. What does this light mean, when does it light up, and should you take any action?
What does a lit key or lock indicator mean?
The key or lock indicator may not only be lit but also flashing. In this article, we'll only consider situations where the indicator is lit rather than flashing. There are several possible scenarios:
- The key indicator lights up during washing, indicating that the door is locked and cannot be opened during washing. There is no problem, the wash will finish and after a few minutes the door will unlock automatically;
- The key or lock indicator remains lit, even when the door is open and there's no washing machine running, and the washing machine doesn't respond to key presses. In this case, check the locking mechanism, the door lock and hinges, and the control board.
- The key indicator lights up when the wash cycle is complete, but the door won't open. This could also be caused by a jammed locking device or control board.
Please note! When the child safety lock is enabled, the key indicator on the washing machine may also be illuminated. Therefore, make sure this feature is disabled before troubleshooting.
What should I do first?
In any situation when the key or lock indicator on the washing machine is on, The first thing you can try is to remove the lock by pressing the program start button and holding it for 5 seconds. After this, the system board reboots and the lock is usually disabled.
If the machine doesn't respond to button presses, you can turn it off and unplug it, then wait 10 minutes and plug it back in. After this reset, the lock should be released. If this doesn't resolve the issue and the indicator light remains on, repairs are necessary.
Please note! According to service centers, this problem most often occurs with older generation LG, Samsung, Bosch, and Indesit washing machines. These machines display error messages through indicator lights rather than the display.
We replace the door hinges and the hatch locking device
Before replacing the locking device, you should check to see if the door lock, or more specifically the latch on the door itself, is broken. You should also check the door hinges for proper operation. Sometimes, small children hang on the door, causing it to become warped. This can cause the door to either not close at all or to close but then jam and not open. In this case, it is necessary to replace the hinges.Let's look at how to do this using an example. LG washing machine.
- Disconnect the machine from water, sewer and electricity.
- Using special pliers or tongs, you need to remove the metal clamp on the cuff of the washing machine and remove the cuff inside the drum.
- Disconnect the wire from the door locking device.
- At the bottom of the washing machine, open the filter door and unscrew the screw holding the plastic housing of the filter door.
- Now you need to unscrew the screw holding the front part of the machine body.
- Next, you need to remove the top cover of the machine by unscrewing the 2 screws at the back.
- Remove the powder container from the machine.
- Remove the screws behind the powder tray and the screws behind the control panel.
- Remove the control panel from the latches, doing this from left to right.
- Loosen the screws holding the front of the case.
- Remove the front part of the case and place it face down on a soft cloth.
- Unscrew the plastic cover covering the door hinges, and then unscrew the hinges from the car door.
- Unscrew the hinges from the washing machine body and remove them.
- Take new hinges and install them in place of the faulty ones, assembling the machine in reverse order.
As for the door locking device, replacing it is also easy if you purchased the original part for your washing machine. The entire process is shown in detail in the video below.
If the door is locked and closed, you will have to remove the top cover of the washing machine to replace the locking device. Next, you need to feel for the lock with your hand and move the latch to release it. Once the drum hatch is open, you can move on to replacing the locking device.
What to do if the control board breaks?
If the control board fails to send a signal to the door lock at the end of the wash cycle, the control board is faulty. This could be due to moisture on the board or contacts, or a power surge. In this case, a detailed diagnosis of the fault and a board inspection will be required.
Important! In many cases, there's no need to purchase a new control module, as the old one can be repaired.
This type of repair is quite complex, so we wouldn't recommend it. It could worsen the situation, and then costly repairs are inevitable.
Therefore, the key or lock indicator lights on your washing machine play an important role. They can not only inform you about the program's progress but also indicate a serious breakdown of one of the machine's components. We hope you now know what to do when this indicator lights up.
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How to remove the key from a Siemens S 16-74 washing machine
I turned on the lock, but now I can't turn it off! I unplugged it for 10 minutes, but it didn't help... What should I do?
Drain the water from the drum!
The problem was solved thanks to your advice; I was thinking of calling a repairman! Thank you!
My LG washing machine has a lock indicator and a blinking CL light on the light panel. What should I do?
I had the same problem. There was water in the drum. I set it to spin mode. After the spin cycle ended, the Samsung door unlocked.
The flashing lock signal appears on the display. I can't turn it off.
It means the machine door is unlocked. There's no need to do anything with it. This is common with many models. This is normal. It will turn off automatically during the wash cycle.
What if it doesn't turn off? It still stays on. It happens, as Elena describes.
The castle is burning
The wash cycle is finished, but the lock icon is still lit and the word is flashing. After a forced shutdown, the letters disappeared. The door opens, but the lock remains. I unplugged it—the result is the same.
What to do if a key appears?
And I fixed it.
What should I do? I have a new Samsung machine. I set it to wash, but the lock light is on and it won't turn on. The display works, but the buttons don't work and it doesn't wash.
If the lock is shown and the indicators are not lit, you need to press the temperature and spin buttons simultaneously for about three minutes.
Thank you. Your advice helped.
Thank you! Your advice helped me too.
Thank you very much, your advice helped me.
Indesit machine. The door lock indicator is flashing. The door won't lock. The machine isn't filling with water and is silent.
I need help! I turned on the washing machine, but it won't spin or drain! I opened the drain valve at the bottom, drained the water, and tried again, but it still won't drain! What should I do? Does anyone know?
On a Bosch washing machine, the flashing key is a protection against switching on.
This mode is activated and deactivated by pressing the start button for 5 seconds.
Thank you. I pressed start for 5 seconds, and the lock went away.
My Samsung washing machine. The lock light is flashing after washing, but it doesn't affect the machine's operation. It won't turn off. I unplugged it and turned it on again. It's not flashing. Could you please tell me what could be wrong?
Bosch car. The door won't open, the lock indicator is flashing.
My Ariston washing machine has a flashing lock icon and all buttons are locked. What should I do?
Press spin and temperature at the same time.
Lindo 100 Zanussi washing machine. The lights are on and blinking. It won't start.
A mechanic came today and did a diagnostic. He said the brushes needed to be replaced. I drove around, he replaced them, and left. I went, bought brushes, and they started replacing them. Then they saw a cut wire from the engine, neatly hidden in the insulation. We didn't call another mechanic, so we started calling to find out the company's address. They gave different addresses. Don't use their services; the mechanics are scammers.
Samsung washing machine, does the key indicator flash when turned off?
This means the door is unlocked and can open freely. There's nothing wrong, don't worry 🙂
We sent the control board from our Samsung washing machine in for repair. They said the door lock needed replacing because it had burned out the board. They even charged a hefty price for the lock. Could it be true that the lock was the culprit?
My car is burning. I press start, and all the lights flash. When they stop flashing, the key light comes on. Can you tell me what to do?
Thank you so much! You helped a lot!
Good evening. Could you tell me the lock/key indicator on the dashboard doesn't light up, or it does, the machine starts washing, the key goes out, the machine stops, and the door opens freely? What's wrong and where can I find it?
My Samsung washing machine. The child lock indicator is on. The door opens, the indicators come on, but the machine doesn't work. Could you please tell me how to start it?
Press and hold the spin and function buttons simultaneously. And everything will work.
Thank you, your advice was very helpful! God bless you!
The lock light on my Indesit keeps coming on after washing. What should I do?
The lock light on my Gorenje washing machine is on and the lights are flashing. What should I do? The machine is new and I've washed it twice.
BEKO washing machine. The key light is on. All the buttons work, but the machine won't start.
It helped. Thank you!
Indesit 85105. Doors are locked, key light is constantly on.
Ariston ALS109X washing machine. When I turn on the wash cycle, the key lights up, the power light doesn't come on, the program doesn't start, it doesn't fill with water, and nothing happens. What's wrong?
Hello, I have a Samsung washing machine. After washing and opening the door, the machine turns off, but the door-closed indicator stays on. It stops blinking after unplugging. I also noticed that the glass doesn't heat up during the wash cycle, meaning the water is cold. What could this be? Is the heating element burned out? The machine is almost 5 years old.
Hello, the washing machine fills with water, but as soon as the drum starts spinning, the lock goes out and the machine stops washing. What's the problem? Please help.
Please help! My Gorenje w 7202/s washing machine blinks three times when turned on. I'm seeing error code E3. How can I clear it?
Hello, could you please tell me about my Indesit washing machine? The lock is blinking, the door won't lock, and it won't wash. What should I do?
The lock icon on my Atlant car is on. The car doesn't respond to anything. What should I do? Please tell me.
Electrolux.
I washed the machine as usual. When the wash cycle was finished, the lock started beeping and flashing. The doors opened. It beeped in response to any action, and that was it.
The power outage lasted for an hour and didn't help.
My washing machine is burning. When I press start, all the lights come on, then the key lights up. The washing machine doesn't wash. What's wrong?
Hello, I have an LG washing machine. The red lock light is on, the door won't open, the program won't set, and the CL light is flashing. I can't start the machine. Please help!
Burning - the key is lit, the modes do not change
Atlant washing machine. The key is on. The programs won't start. Turning it off didn't help.
Whirlpool machine. The lock key is lit. None of the buttons respond. When I press a couple of buttons as mentioned above, the sound increases, and the lock won't release.
Solution.
Below the option to add functions like "quick wash" or "stained laundry" to the main program, there's a button. Press and hold it for 3 seconds to unlock it.
The key light on my LG washing machine is on and the door won't open. What should I do?
I plug it in, and the lock immediately turns on without selecting any program. If I manage to select a program within a minute, the wash cycle runs fine, but after the wash cycle is complete, the lock won't open. After about a minute, the lock and spin indicators turn on (blinking), and the pump starts working.
Thank you for your work. Thanks to your detailed descriptions of the situations and the steps to take, I was able to complete the task without a professional.