The dryer door won't open.

Let's imagine a situation: the dryer has finished drying, and the user opens the door as usual to remove clothes, but the door is locked. The first thing that comes to mind is to tug the handle harder. However, this should never be done, as it can easily damage the element.

What should you do if your dryer won't open? Will you need to call a repairman or can you fix the problem yourself? What does dryer repair involve? Let's explore the nuances.

Manifestation of the problem and its source

While this is an unpleasant situation, it can be fixed. A dryer door can become locked for a variety of reasons. The main ones are:

• the handle is jammed;
• the hatch locking device is broken;
• a failure occurred in the control module;
• the metal plate of the blocker is not yet cool;
• The electricity supply to the house was cut off.

The symptoms of a malfunction can also vary. Here's how the problem might manifest itself:

• the dryer lock clicks but the door remains locked;
• the handle doesn't press, the lock is loose;
• the door opens, but literally a second later it locks again.

What should you do if you find a blocked dryer? Figure out the cause. Once you've identified the problem, you'll know whether you can fix it yourself or whether you'll need to call a professional.

What could have caused the problem?

Let's take a closer look at the reasons why a dryer door might not open. First, the user is in a hurry, trying to remove items immediately after the cycle ends. This won't work; the door lock plate takes a certain amount of time to cool.

The bimetallic plate of the UBL cools down within 2-5 minutes, only after this time the dryer door is unlocked.

So, when you hear the end-of-drying signal, don't rush. Wait about five minutes for the machine to unlock. Pulling too hard on the handle will break it.

Sometimes, while the dryer is running, the power goes out. You won't be able to open the appliance until the power is restored. This too requires some waiting.

The washing machine door will not open if there is a lot of liquid in the tank. The machine is protected from leaks; the hatch is locked as long as there is water in the drum. Sometimes the condensate drainage system malfunctions, leaving too much moisture inside at the end of the cycle. In this case, the unlocking mechanism won't work.

In this situation, you'll need to check all components of the condensate removal circuit. There may be a blockage somewhere. It's best to leave this repair to a service center technician.

The dryer door may remain closed if the cycle is interrupted at any point. The machine may not be heating, in which case the heating element will need to be checked and replaced. The condensate drain may not be working, in which case the pump will need to be diagnosed and the drainage system components checked.

Another possible cause is a broken latch. Laundry gets caught in it, the element jams, and the door remains closed. In this situation, there's only one solution: push the latch upward. This will require removing the dryer cover, reaching into the latch mechanism, and opening it.

When the retainer becomes deformed, it will need to be replaced. Replacement parts are selected based on the model and serial number of the dryer. It's best to leave this work to a professional.

What should I do if the handle breaks? This can happen if I forcefully try to open the dryer. The handle will need to be replaced. Here's what to do:

• remove the machine door from its hinges;
• separate the plastic rim of the hatch;
• disassemble and remove the handle;
• install a new component;
• assemble the hatch and hang it back.

Due to power surges in the network, the electronic module fails. Restarting the dryer helps solve the problem. Unplug the appliance, leave it for 20-30 minutes, then plug it back in. This may open the hatch.

If rebooting doesn't help, the module is likely faulty. Sudden voltage fluctuations can cause the semiconductors and circuit board tracks to burn out. Repair of the electronic module should be entrusted to a service center.

If the machine does break down, and the repairman promises to arrive in a couple of days, you'll have to open the dryer yourself. Before starting work, unplug your "home helper." Here's how to open the door:

• with a rope, thick fishing line or thin spatula;
• emergency release cable;
• with pliers.

Most modern dryers have an emergency release cable.

The cable is located near the filter. Simply pull it, and the dryer door will open. This is the gentlest and safest method of opening.

If you don't have a rope, use a string or a spatula. The string should be 25-30 cm longer than the hatch diameter. The string is threaded between the CM body and the door.

Place the rope perpendicular to the floor and move it sideways, trying to pry the latch. You can also use a thin putty knife to pry the lock open. This requires blind, intuitive action, so this method of opening the machine can take anywhere from five minutes to half an hour.

The pliers option is only useful if the dryer handle is broken and there's nothing left to lose. Grab the handle and pull firmly. The door will then swing open.

   

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