Most washing machines have a timer that prevents you from opening the hatch just after the washing cycle ends. Instad you must wait for the timer to go off, usually a minute or two, before you can open the hatch.
Why? Would letting the user open the hatch immediately after washing ends pose any safety or other issues?
It checks if the water is really truly out so opening the hatch is safe (as in no water coming out causing water damage). And for that it waits a time so the water has time to gather in the bottom.
But why not just beep after that? What’s the point of beeping before the door is unlocked?
Mine beeps when the door unlocks, but I’ve seen many that beep before the final check. Either to satisfy some “1 hour wash cycle” target or perhaps they expect people to walk to the machine when it beeps and the check isn’t that long so it’s probably going to be unlocked when you get there?
Well, imagine someone opening the door if the water hasn’t fully drained out and the ensuing mess. If you’re wondering if someone is stupid enough to do that, then the answer is unequivocally yes. There is a reason the door locks for that amount of time - so somebody doesn’t brain fart, open the door, and flood the laundry room.
So why not make the washing cycle end when the water has fully drained? I get the impression the timer starts after the drain.
Maybe that’s your machine being oddly programmed. Every machine I’ve seen unlocks right after it finishes it’s cycle. It can also be stopped and unlocked anywhere halfway, but it takes some time to drain the water (usually a few seconds, not a full minute like you mentioned originally).
My bet would be it’s waiting for temperature to drop.
Edit for the downvoting folk: Some of the profiles of my washing machine have temperatures of up to 90°C
Mine doesn’t do this, but it does do a few slow spins right at the end so that everything settles to the bottom. Maybe yours is also doing this by waiting?
My washing machine is a top loader and has a pause button that will stop the water fill/spin cycle so you can open the door. The washer waits until the cycle pauses completely then unlocks the door
