Front-loaders keep the door locked until it's safe to open. If yours won't release, work through these steps in order.
Let the Cycle Finish or Drain
As long as water sits in the tub, the door lock stays engaged.
Fix: Start a drain or spin cycle to empty the machine out — the lock should release once it's done.
Cut Power for a Minute
A short power interruption often clears a lock that's stuck for no obvious reason.
Fix: Unplug the washer for about 60 seconds, plug it back in, and try the door again.
Use the Manual Release
Nearly every front-loader has an emergency release tucked behind the lower kick panel.
Fix: Pull the small cord or tab to unlock the door by hand if the latch itself has failed.
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