The handle on the washing machine is broken - how to open it?

Front-loading washing machine handles are made of plastic, often of poor quality. It's no surprise that such a handle can break at any moment.

This is where the problem arises: to fix the handle, you first need to open the door, preferably without scratching the washing machine's body. But how do you do this? We'll try to answer this question, along the way explaining how to remove the old handle and install a new one.

Methods of opening the hatch

Don't be surprised, but opening a washing machine door with a broken handle doesn't require tinkering with a screwdriver, hacking with an awl, or any other brutal maneuvers. Simply use one of the simple and accessible methods we'll discuss shortly, and you'll be able to open the ill-fated door in a matter of minutes. Here are the methods.

1. If you have a fishing line or thin nylon rope at hand, you can use it to open the washing machine door. We take a flat-head screwdriver and thread the rope through the gap between the body and the hatch. We grab the ends of the rope and pull it under the hatch. Then we pull the ends of the rope with noticeable force – the door will open.
2. Take the instructions that came with your model of front-loading washing machine. Loading. Some washing machine models have a special emergency door release lever. This is usually located near the dust filter. If yours has one, the problem is simple: pull the lever, and the washing machine door will open.
3. If you don't have a rope handy, or if your washing machine doesn't have an emergency release lever to open the hatch, you can open the hatch through the top lid. Unplug the washing machine. Remove the top cover of the washing machine.There's a gap in the front of the machine between the front wall and the upper counterweight. We reach in and try to reach the door closing mechanism. Opening the washing machine door this way is actually quite simple, with the right amount of skill.

If any part of the handle mechanism remains intact and sticks out, you can try to pry this part up with pliers and carefully open the door.

Dismantling the damaged part

Even if we managed to successfully open the door of a front-loading washing machine, this does not completely solve the problem, because the handle is broken and needs to be repaired. There is no point in repairing an old handle, and in most cases it is impossible, so the only solution is to replace the broken part.

First, remove the damaged handle using a series of simple steps. Use a screwdriver, open the washing machine door wide, and remove the two screws that hold it in place. Lay the door face down on the floor and remove all the screws located around this part. Take a photo of the door glass and the hook to remember the location of these parts. Failure to do this will cause problems later.

We disassemble the hatch into two parts and set the glass aside. We take photos of the hatch's interior to avoid remembering the location of the mechanism parts. We remove the pin, spring, and hook from the damaged handle and set them aside. Disassembly of the damaged handle is now complete.

To remove the metal pin, you'll need to push it out with something sharp and hard. A nail or an awl will do. If the pin is difficult to remove, spray it with WD-40.

Installation

We purchase a new handle, which consists of a set of parts: a plastic part, a hook, a spring, and a pin. Referring to the photograph taken earlier, assemble the handle mechanism and position the handle itself correctly. The hardest part is installing the pin, because it has to fit through all the holes. You'll have to work hard, pushing it in gradually and simultaneously rocking it with pliers.

We check the position of the handle. The door handle of the washing machine should be spring-loaded, but at the same time move relatively easily and return to its original position without any problems. If the return is difficult or impossible, the handle mechanism needs to be reinstalled. If everything is OK, we reassemble the hatch and install it. We check the operation of the hatch handle and successfully complete the repair.

In conclusion, a broken washing machine door handle isn't a big problem. However, to fix it, you first need to open the door itself and then perform a simple repair. There are many opening methods, all accessible to anyone, even those without appliance repair skills. All you have to do is try one of these methods. Good luck!

   

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