The door lock on a washing machine is sometimes called a door interlock. Understanding how a door lock works helps in deciding if one is faulty or not. I get a lot of people contacting me saying they fitted a new lock and it didn’t fix it so don’t just assume.
When you shut the door, the latch on the door pushes inside the door lock and activates an electrical part inside which locks the door shut. At the same time, power is passed through the door lock on to the rest of the machine. The actual latching shut of the door is a simple spring-loaded mechanism where the latch just slips into the door catch and the door stays closed. Locking the door is a separate process.
How do washing machines lock the door?
Locking the door so it can’t be opened whilst the washer is running is usually achieved using a bi-metal part inside the door lock. I’ve been repairing washing machines for over 30 years and seen many different types of lock some of which do not use a bi-metal device at all. Some (e.g. some old Hotpoint washing machines) had a more sophisticated system that only locked the door when the motor was running and/or there was water inside. It achieved this using a pneumatic device (discussed in part 2). However, the majority of washing machines just use a bi-metal strip inside the door lock, which is cheap and effective.
How does a bi-metal device work?
Two different types of metal with different properties are combined on top of each other. When the door is closed, a connection inside the lock powers an electrical coil wrapped round the bi metal part. This heats up the metal, which then bends. This bending operates the lock and then makes another electrical connection passing power to the rest of the machine. Once power is turned off, the metal strip cools down after a minute or two and straightens back up again releasing the door.
How the door lock passes power on
In this rudimentary diagram you can see how the description above looks.
The red line represents the bi-metal strip and the zig zagged lines between the live and neutral are the coil. Power activates the coil, which heats up the bi-metal part, this then physically bends and pushes the switch to the on position (as well as mechanically locking the door shut). Once this has happened (usually a second or so) power can run around to the common wire at the end, and therefore on to the rest of the machine allowing it to start.
Note: Do not assume anything about the wire connections. They may be in totally different positions on different machines. Unless the connections are marked Live Neutral and Common you would need to work it all out with a continuity test meter. If you get the wires the wrong way round you can blow the device. You may even blow the main PCB. It may be possible for a fourth wire on some variants to carry power to an LED which may indicate that the door is closed and the lock activated.
How can you tell if a door lock is faulty?
There isn’t a simple test, although you may be able to get a resistance reading between the live and neutral which should measure the small coil. You might expect to get a resistance reading of something like 1000 Ohm. As with most fault diagnosis it’s mostly a matter of the process of elimination, observation and previous experience. But as my opening paragraph states, if you understand exactly how something works you are much more likely to be able to diagnose why it’s not working.
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Forbes specialise in renting Bosch appliances so they know them inside out. They also rent other brands and many other products – more details
Faults to look out for
First, the obvious. Are there any connection faults on it? Wires can come loose, or overheat and burn. A lack of power, neutral return, an open circuit coil, or even the door latch not properly activating an otherwise perfectly functioning door lock can all cause faults.
Anomalies to be aware of
Historically virtually all UK washing machines have used this system. However it seems that some washing machines have now involved a relay built into the PCB that can cause the door lock to click but not lock. See this thread – Bosch WVG30461GB/01 won’t lock and start
A fault inside the main PCB, or even an open circuit motor or heating element on some washing machines can result (bizarrely) in the door lock activating and locking with displays and lights coming on but washer will not do anything at all. Some Hotpoint and Indesit machines have this anomaly.
Different types of door lock
The most common type by far is the simple bi metal device described above, usually with three wires (see photo). They differ in size, shape and colour – see Ransom Spares Door locks section so see what they look like (or buy).
Buy a new door lock
Ransom Spares door parts Door locks section
Be Safe: Don’t risk it
If you aren’t experienced and trained for working on electrical and mechanical appliances you should probably book an appliance engineer.
Even if experienced, please take a moment to check out my DIY repair safety advice, which not only covers electrical safety but has tips and advice that you may be less aware of too. Don’t be complacent.
Don’t get carried away
Read Part 2
NOTE: Not all door locks are the same. This subject continues on another page where it looks at Different types of door locks
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Helen, I have an article for washing Machine Door Will Not Open but if all lights are flashing it is best to get it looked at.
Hi Andy, is it possible to link out the switch in order to properly diagnose whether it is the switch or not.
As there are 3 wires I have concluded that two or them bring power and need to link to the third via the bi metallic strip, if all 3 are connected would that activate the washing machine ?
Hello duncan. I’m very cautious about advising people to bypass the door lock as getting the wires wrong could blow the pcb and potentially write off the machine. Also, bypassing one and leaving it bypassed would leave the machine in a dangerous condition where it may be possible to open the door whilst it’s full of water or spinning.
If you can identify the wires accurately as described on my article and know that there is just a live, neutral and common then one could be temporarily bypassed to see if the machine powers up. However, connecting neutral and common will result in nothing happening and connecting live and neutral will blow it up. Also, if the door lock connections are all inside a plug (as opposed to how they used to be with one connection each) then it would be very difficult to by-pass.
I think its an electrical fault, For sometime the light does not come on on my zanussi washing machine when I turn the dial round to start it.If |I leave it for a few hours it usually works again but if i turn the dial anticlockwise past the off it would not work. For a week now the start light wont come on. I have no idea where to gain access to the electrics please advise thanks
Hello Lindsay, you need to determine if the light only comes on when the door is closed properly or not. If it does, and it’s playing up as you describe then there may well be something wrong with the door lock or the doors ability to activate the interlock. If the light isn’t affected by the door then the fault is possibly somewhere else. Try switching the machine on, and when you can get the light to come on just open the door and see if it goes out. If it does then the fault may well be to do with the door lock.
Regarding the access, you need to make totally sure the washing machine is disconnected from the mains because there is a live wire directly connected to the door lock. Unpeeling the door seal from the door frame should allow some access. Also you obviously need to take the top off. But if in any doubt you should get an engineer in.
Hi my washing machine door wont lock. All the lights are on. The light for the lock is saying unlocked. The door closes fine and I can move the thing it catches to on the machine. Ive taken the socket out of the wall left it for a while then plugged back in but still wont lock. Could you give any advise please?
Hello Rebecca. Possibilities are either the door isn’t activating the interlock, or the interlock is faulty. There’s also a possibility of a wiring problem. The only thing I can advise is that if this article doesn’t help you need an engineer.
dear Andy, my washer stopped working. no electrics displayed. i have changed the fuse and it still does not work. i have plugged my iron into the socket and it works so it is not the socket. Is it worth paying for an engineer or will i still need a new washer?
Hello Trish, sorry for the late reply. If the washing machine isn’t working at all it could be anything from something really simple to something serious. Only an engineer will be to tell you. However I do have another help article which helps to check some basic things, if that doesn’t help then you need an engineer. washing machine won’t start
I have a Zanussi compact washing machine, about ten years old now. The door lock this morning won’t open. We have finally managed to get the top off but still can’t pop the lock open. Any ideas would be welcome.