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LG Washing Machine Error Code CL

Not a faultReviewed November 2026Checked against manufacturer documentation

What this code means

CL: Child lock is on (not an error)

CL means the control lock is engaged and the buttons are disabled on purpose. Nothing is wrong with the machine.

Fix level

Not a fault

This is a status display, not a fault. No repair is needed.

Time to run the checks

About 10–20 minutes

For the 2 checks on this page — not a full repair.

You may need

No special tools

The checks below use basic household items only.

Parts that may be involved

None usually

Parts are model-specific; see the note below before ordering.

Common causes

Child lock activated, often by holding a button for 3 seconds
Lock left on from a previous cycle

What to check, in order

Safety first. Switch the machine off and unplug it before cleaning filters or moving hoses. Expect water to come out when you open a pump filter; keep a tray and towel ready. If you are not comfortable with any step, stop and call a technician.

Press and hold the Child Lock button (or the two marked buttons, model-dependent) for about 3 seconds until CL disappears.
The exact buttons are printed on the panel with a lock symbol.

Clear the code and test

Fix what the checks above found first — a filter cleaned, a hose straightened, taps opened. Clearing the code without fixing the cause only brings it back.
Close the door, plug the machine back in and restore the water supply.
Run a short rinse and spin, or the shortest wash programme, and watch the stage where the code appeared before (filling, washing, draining or spinning).
If the cycle finishes with no code, the fault is cleared. If the code returns at the same stage, write down the code and that stage before calling a technician — it speeds up the diagnosis.

When to call a professional

This display is not a fault, so there is normally nothing to book. Call a technician only if the machine also behaves abnormally, or if any of these apply:

The code comes back after you have run the checks and a test cycle.
You smell burning, see sparks or scorch marks, or the breaker trips.
Water is leaking and you cannot stop it at the tap.
The fix needs panels opened beyond what your manual describes, or a part tested with a meter, and you are not set up for that.

When you call, give the brand, the code CL, your model number (on a label inside the door or on the back) and the checks you already ran. It shortens the visit.

Questions people ask about CL

What does CL mean on a LG washing machine?

CL means: Child lock is on (not an error). CL means the control lock is engaged and the buttons are disabled on purpose. Nothing is wrong with the machine.

Can I fix LG CL myself?

There is nothing to fix: code CL is a status display, not a fault. The checks on this page show how to exit the mode or confirm the setting.

How do I clear LG CL?

Fix the cause first — clearing the code on its own brings it straight back. Then restore power and water, run the shortest programme, and watch the stage where the code appeared. If the programme finishes with no code, it is cleared.

Sources checked

The meaning and checks for this code were checked against the sources above in November 2026. Codes vary by model and region; if your manual lists a different meaning for your exact model, follow the manual.