Replacing the washing machine door handle yourself!

Unfortunately, all washing machine parts have a lifespan. They can fail periodically. They can also become unusable due to improper handling. If the door handle breaks, it needs to be replaced. Usually, it's the plastic part of the handle that breaks. This is a fairly common failure.

Before starting the replacement, you need to disconnect the machine from the power supply. Next, you need to remove the door itself. It's secured to the frame with two bolts. These can be unscrewed with a screwdriver or a star-shaped screwdriver (this varies for different models). After this, place the removed hatch on a hard, flat surface so that the bolts holding it together are facing up. These are the bolts we'll need to remove. Then, using a flat-head screwdriver or a knife, pry up the top section of the door and remove it.

Now, flip the washing machine door over and separate the outer part from the inner one. After that, remove the glass part and set it aside. Place the inner part back on a firm, flat surface. This will allow you to access the handle that needs replacing. We recommend taking a photo of its location and how it's secured. This will help us avoid mistakes when reassembling the door.

The plastic handle is secured with a pin. We need to carefully remove this pin. To do this, slide it to one side and then pull it out. When removing the pin, you can first remove the plastic handle, then the spring and hook. A fairly common problem is when the spring breaks very close to where it is secured by the pin.

Installing a new handle and assembling the hatch

We hope you've already purchased a replacement handle kit for your washing machine. These are typically sold or ordered from service centers.

It consists of:

• Handles made of plastic,
• Metal pin,
• A hook that, when closed, enters the hatch locking device,
• And the return spring.

Installing the new handle begins with installing the spring. It must be positioned exactly as the old one was. That is, in a specially designed location so that it fits into the designated holes. Then, install the locking hook. If you're unsure how they should be positioned and secured, you can refer to the photo you took earlier.

Next, we need to insert the pin. But this must be done only in one hole, so that you can then insert the handle. To do this, you'll need to hold the spring and pin with your other hand. Then insert the handle and secure it in place by sliding the pin. The pin should pass through the designated holes in the handle and enter the opposite hole on the hatch. During this part of the work, you'll need to hold the handle in a certain position. This is done to ensure that the end of the pin doesn't swing out and fits into the opposite hole without issue.

Once the pin is finally in place, you need to check the handle's position. It should be slightly pushed back by the spring. If the spring doesn't push the handle back, you've positioned it incorrectly. You'll have to disassemble the handle again and reinstall the locking hook and spring.

Then all that remains is to assemble the washing machine door and return it to its proper place. Make sure all parts are tightly connected and secured with screws.

To clearly demonstrate the entire process, we are attaching two videos to this article:

Replacing the door handle in a washing machine

4 reader comments

1. June 16, 2015 at 5:00 PM

   Anatoly:

   The handle can also be glued. Dichloroethane - screed - dry for 2 days.

   Answer
   • November 15, 2015 at 10:24 AM

     Zhadyra:

     How do I glue it? Could you please explain in detail? The plastic handle broke, and we can't find a replacement.

     Answer
2. October 28, 2017 at 12:09 PM

   Love:

   The cover on my door broke.

   Answer
3. March 16, 2020 at 8:50 AM

   Elya:

   Where can I buy a pen?

   Answer