How to Unlock an Oven

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It can be frustrating if your oven locks when you need to use it, especially if there doesn’t seem to be a logical reason for why it’s locked in the first place! If it was interrupted in the middle of a self-cleaning cycle or if the child lock was accidentally engaged, there are a few steps you can take to unlock the oven. Or, if the lock icon is showing when the oven door is actually opening and closing, you can try to clear the icon. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call in a professional to get your oven working again!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Unlocking the Oven After Self-Cleaning

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  1. This can sometimes prompt the oven’s computer to reset and release the lock button. It’s fairly common for the lock function to get stuck if the self-cleaning cycle was interrupted for any reason, like a power outage. [1]
    • If the outlet is hard to reach, you could also turn off the circuit breaker that powers your kitchen. Leave it off for 5 minutes before flipping it back on. This will also cut the power to your oven and hopefully reset the computer.
  2. If turning the oven on and off didn’t reset the computer, try asking it to run a self-cleaning cycle and then promptly cancel it. This should hopefully engage the lock function (even though it is already engaged) and then release it after you press the “Clear/Off” button.
    • Make sure to wait long enough after pressing “Self-Clean” for the process to start. You can usually hear your oven’s system start the cycle.
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  3. If starting and canceling the self-cleaning cycle didn’t work, try letting the oven run a self-cleaning cycle. Set the timer for 1-2 hours and then let it do its thing. Give it several hours after the cleaning cycle to cool down, which should prompt the internal temperature gauge to release the lock function. [2]
    • The internal temperature needs to get back to around 200 °F (93 °C) or lower, and that may take anywhere from 30-90 minutes after the cleaning cycle is finished.

    Tip: If the oven still isn’t unlocking at this stage, it could be that there is a problem with the temperature sensor. It may be registering that the oven is still at a high heat when, in actuality, it isn’t.

  4. Find an appliance repair company in your area who can fix the brand and model of oven you have. Some companies may offer a free estimate, especially if you’re a new customer, so spend some time looking at companies, reviews, and rates to find a provider you’re comfortable with. [3]
    • Doing a DIY repair or finding a way to force the door open can result in more expensive damage than if you were to just call a repair person to come to take a look at the oven.
    • Even if you manage to get the oven door open on your own, you still don’t know the underlying cause that is making the lock function engage when it shouldn’t be.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Troubleshooting Other Problems

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  1. This button often gets accidentally engaged during cleaning, and turning it off is simple! Hold down the button for 4-5 seconds to see if that clears the lock icon. If not, try holding down the “Clear/Off” button for 4-5 seconds. [4]
    • Remember that every model of oven is slightly different, so if you know you need to hold down that lock button for longer, make sure to do that.
  2. Every brand of oven is slightly different, but many have a process that will reset the oven’s computer panel and trigger the oven door to unlock. It may be something like pressing the “Clock” button and the “Clear/Off” button at the same time for 10 seconds, or holding down on the “Child Lock” button for 30 seconds.
    • The exact way to do this will depend on the brand of oven you have. For instance, the way to unlock a General Electric oven is different from unlocking a Bosch .

    Tip: If you don’t know where your oven’s user manual is, search online for the make and model of your oven, plus the words “user manual.” This should provide you with an online PDF version.

  3. Many newer ovens have a safety feature that will lock the oven if it registers a super high temperature, and sometimes the internal temperature of your oven gets to be higher than what it was set to. Turn off the oven and give it 30-90 minutes to cool down; then try opening the door or pressing the “Clear/Off” button to disengage the lock function.
    • This can be super frustrating since your food is in the oven! But if you can’t get the door to unlock any other way, this is your only option.
    • Make sure to turn the oven off so that it doesn’t maintain the same level of heat and burn your food.
  4. Turn the circuit breaker off for 5-10 minutes, then turn it back on. This is a simple way to cut the power to the oven and hopefully reset the computer. If this doesn’t work and you’ve tried several other methods to get the door unlocked, it may be time to call in a professional. [5]
    • It’s best to avoid using alternate means to try and force the door open, like a bent hanger or wire. This can cause more damage and cost you more money to repair in the long run.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Clearing a “Locked” Message

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  1. Sometimes the oven door is opening and closing perfectly fine, but the lock button is showing on the computer panel, making it so that your oven can’t function normally. Before trying anything else, cut off the power to the oven to see if that will jog it to reset. [6]
    • You could also try turning off the circuit breaker directly if the outlet to your oven is hard to reach.
  2. There generally is a small metal latch or hook located on the exterior of the oven that hooks into a small opening on the interior of the oven door. It’s usually on the top of the oven (beneath the burner buttons), but it can sometimes be along the right- or left-hand side. [7]
    • The oven door does need to be open for you to locate the door jamb and locking mechanism.

    Tip: Because each brand and model of oven is slightly different, you could look up a video or illustration to show where your oven’s locking mechanism is. The user manual also might have a detailed guide that will give you this information.

  3. While the oven door is still open, use a pair of pliers to push the hook or latch in to signal to the oven’s computer that the door is shut. It’s now signaling that the oven is shut and locked, while neither is true. [8]
    • You may be able to just push the latch in with your hand, but sometimes the opening is too slim.
  4. Give the oven enough time to start prepping for the cleaning cycle—you can usually hear the computer whirring and the oven gearing up to start the process. Once that happens, while still holding the door latch in, press the “Clear/Off” button. This should hopefully reset the computer and remove the lock icon from the computer panel.
    • The oven door must be kept open during this process, otherwise, it’s possible that it could get stuck in the locked position once the cleaning cycle is engaged.
  5. If this doesn’t work, it could mean that there is something wrong with the actual computer inside the oven and it may need to be replaced. Unless you have experience working with those types of systems, it’s generally less expensive and frustrating to have a professional service company fix things for you. [9]
    • When you call to set an appointment, check to make sure the company can work with the brand of oven you have.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    My Samsung oven wont open after self-cleaning, and the lights on panel wouldn't come on. After 3 weeks, lights on the panel came back on. Any ideas?
    Community Answer
    You likely have a wiring problem and should call an appliance repair technician to look at it, as it could pose a potential fire hazard.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 3
  • Question
    What do I do if my self-cleaning oven won't unlock when the door is open?
    Sarah Battilana
    Community Answer
    You could try unplugging the oven for 5 minutes and then plugging it back in to see if that resets the computer panel. Otherwise, you could try engaging the door's lock while it is open, starting the self-clean cycle, and then press "cancel/off" after 60 seconds to see if that prompts the lock icon to disappear.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 10
  • Question
    What do I do if my oven is locked with no power?
    Sarah Battilana
    Community Answer
    You will need to wait until power is restored to try to get the door open. If the lock is engaged but there is no power, there's no way to signify to your oven that it should be unlocked. Or, you could call a professional service company to come and manually open the oven. It's not recommended that you try any maneuvers to manually open the door yourself, as you could permanently damage the locking mechanism.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
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      References

      1. ↑ https://ars.repair/oven-repair/how-to-unlock-a-locked-oven-door/
      2. ↑ https://ars.repair/oven-repair/how-to-unlock-a-locked-oven-door/
      3. ↑ https://www.slideshare.net/wheatonrepair/5-tips-for-hiring-an-appliance-repair-service
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/Plg1jh51Wd4?t=25
      5. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/electrical/how-to-turn-off-power/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/HenawxpSYow?t=132
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/8M-jlru9MoU?t=52
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/8M-jlru9MoU?t=32
      9. ↑ https://www.slideshare.net/wheatonrepair/5-tips-for-hiring-an-appliance-repair-service

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To unlock an oven, hold down the Lock button on your control panel for 2 or 3 seconds and wait for the oven to beep to indicate it’s unlocked. If this doesn’t work, unplug it from the electrical outlet and wait a few minutes. Then, plug it back in again, which may reset the temperature gauge and cause it to unlock. If this doesn't work, hold down the child lock button for 5 seconds, since the lock often accidentally gets activated during cleaning. You can also hold down the clear or off button for 5 seconds to clear the lock. For tips on how to unlock your oven during self-cleaning, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Prince Hughes

        Oct 24, 2019

        "It worked! Thanks a million, guys. Oven door was stuck on locked and the handle was about to break from my ..." more
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