Samsung dishwasher door not closing

Common reasons your Samsung dishwasher door is not closing

The most common reasons your Samsung dishwasher door is not closing are a broken door spring, damaged door hinge or a broken door latch assembly.

  • 45%

    45% of the time it's the
    Door Spring

  • 30%

    30% of the time it's the
    Door Hinge

  • 15%

    15% of the time it's the
    Door Latch Assembly

  • 10%

    10% of the time it's the
    Something else

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Most common repairs needed to fix a Samsung dishwasher

Door Spring Replacement

A broken door spring can jam against the door hinge and prevent the dishwasher from closing. You typically can see a broken door spring without disconnecting electrical power to the dishwasher and pulling it out of the cabinet slightly. Pulling the dishwasher out of the cabinet is a task best left to a professional. When you suspect that a broken door spring is preventing your dishwasher door from closing, have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert fix the problem.

Door Hinge Replacement

If the dishwasher door is not closing and you see a bent door hinge, you’ll likely need to have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the dishwasher. A bent door spring will jam against the base of the dishwasher and you won’t be able to shut the door. The technician will need to pull the dishwasher slightly out of the cabinet and replace the bent door hinge. Both door hinges are typically replaced at once to keep the door operating smoothly.

Door Latch Assembly Replacement

When you find that the door is not closing on your dishwasher, check for a broken door latch assembly. A strike at the top of the dishwasher opening fits into a slotted catch in the door latch assembly. Spring-loaded clips inside the catch of door latch assembly grab the strike and hold the door shut during the dishwashing cycle. A broken door latch assembly won’t allow the strike to enter the catch so the door won’t shut properly and the cycle won’t start. Schedule a Sears Home Services Repair Expert to fix your dishwasher when a broken door latch won’t let the door shut properly.

Why will my Samsung dishwasher door not close?

A bad door latch, unleveled dishwasher, improperly installed dishwasher or problems with dishwasher door springs and hinges can prevent the dishwasher from closing properly.

whirlpool-dishwasher-door-latch-assembly

Check the dishwasher door latch and strike

A bent door strike can prevent the dishwasher door from closing properly because the strike won’t enter and engage the door latch.

Check the door strike and carefully adjust or bend it so it engages the door latch properly if necessary.

Examine the door latch. If the door latch catch is clogged with media or a foreign object, unplug the dishwasher and clear the catch.

If the door latch is cracked or broken, replace it. Here’s a video that shows how to replace a dishwasher door latch:

If you’re unable to replace the door latch on your own, schedule dishwasher repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to install a new door latch.

kenmore-dishwasher-installation-guidelines-image

Check the dishwasher installation

The door can rub against the bottom of the counter or fail to close when the dishwasher isn’t level or installed properly.

Check the dishwasher and make sure that it is level and installed according to the guidelines in the installation instructions.

dishwasher-door-hinge-part-image

Examine the door hinges and springs

Bent or damaged door hinges can prevent the door from closing properly. Examine the door hinges and springs. Replace any damaged components.

If you’re unable to resolve the problem with your dishwasher door closing properly, schedule service and have a service technician fix the dishwasher.

What to expect when you experience a Samsung dishwasher door not closing issue

How is the door not closing problem fixed?

Correcting most door not closing problems usually involves replacing the door spring, door hinge or door latch assembly. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher door that is not closing

When the dishwasher door is not closing it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.

What to look out for with a dishwasher door not closing diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

Samsung Dishwasher Not Closing

Some of the 2024 Samsung and newer dishwashers have an Auto Release function that opens the door at the end of the cycle slightly to improve dish drying performance. If you find your Samsung dishwasher not closing when this feature is activated, you can use the control settings to turn that Auto Release function off. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to turn the Auto Release function off on your Samsung dishwasher. Here’s a description of the procedure to disable Auto Release on many common Samsung dishwasher models:

  1. With the dishwasher control turned on, press and hold the Delay Start and Sanitize buttons for 3 deliberate seconds to enter the control Settings Mode.
  2. If A1 appears in the display, press Delay Start to toggle the setting to A0 which turns off the Auto Release setting so the dishwasher door won’t automatically open.
  3. If you see other letters and numbers in the display, press the Sanitize button until you see the A1 in the display. Press Delay Start to turn off the Auto Release feature and A0 will appear in the display.
  4. Press the Power button to exit the settings mode.

Other problems that can keep the dishwasher door from closing include:

  • Bent or damaged door strike.
  • Improper dishwasher installation.
  • Debris in the dishwasher door catch.
  • Loose door hinges.

If you’re unable to find and fix the cause of your Samsung dishwasher not closing, schedule dishwasher repair service and we’ll send an experienced Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem.
A Samsung dishwasher door that won’t seal can spill water onto your floor or prevent cycle starts. Loose latches or warped hinges typically need a prompt fix. Rather than forcing it shut each time, book a dishwasher fix near me. A latched door ensures efficient, leak-free washing for every load.

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James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.


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Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!


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Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.


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Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my Samsung dishwasher door close?
Check for obstructions around the door seal, inspect the latch for proper alignment, and ensure the door hinges are not bent.
Could a broken door latch prevent my Samsung dishwasher door from closing?
Yes, a malfunctioning door latch can prevent the door from closing properly. Replace the latch to fix the issue.
How do I fix my Samsung dishwasher door that won’t close?
Remove any blockages around the door, check the latch for proper function, and align the door hinges if needed.
What causes my Samsung dishwasher door to not close?
A broken latch, misaligned hinges, or debris around the door seal could prevent the door from closing properly.

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Glossary Terms

A dishwasher turbidity sensor is an advanced feature that measures the level of food particles and debris in the water, allowing the dishwasher to adjust the wash cycle length and water usage for optimal cleaning efficiency.

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

An astragal is a molding or strip that covers or seals the gap between the edges of a pair of doors or windows. Its primary functions are to provide a weather seal, improve security, and improve the aesthetic appearance of door and window assemblies.

A dryer drum is the main interior component of a clothes dryer where clothes are placed to be dried. It rotates during the drying cycle, allowing heated air to circulate through the clothes.