There are a few possible causes of this problem.
1. The Handle could be broken. Follow the guide on the [[Hamilton Beach 25460Z Troubleshooting|This Page]] to replace it.
2. The Locking Knob could be tightened too far or rusted shut. Try to unscrew it as far as it will go, or follow the guide on [[Hamilton Beach 25460z Troubleshooting|This Page]] to replace it.
3. The Storage Latch could be closed. This latch is designed to prevent the panini press form opening when stored. Check to make sure it is all the way open.