LG dryer CL code: what it means and how to fix it
Your LG dryer may flash CL, show a lock icon, or ignore the option buttons even though the machine has power. This page explains what the code means, which button to hold, and when a locked panel points to a real control problem.
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The LG dryer CL code means Control Lock, also called Child Lock, is turned on and the panel is locked. The most common cause is an accidental long press on the lock button or lock-key pair, sometimes from leaning on the console or a damp towel brushing the controls.
Check these first
Safe to do yourself. Unplug the appliance before you start.
- Hold the lock button
Turn the dryer on. Find a button marked Child Lock, Control Lock, CL, or a lock icon, then press and hold it for 3 to 5 seconds until CL or the lock icon goes away.
- Look for small print under a regular button
On many LG dryers the lock is a secondary function, printed in small text under a normal cycle option. Common examples include Wrinkle Care, Damp Dry Signal, and Easy Iron, so read the lower label on each button.
- If there are two lock buttons, hold both
Some panels use two buttons with a lock symbol instead of one button. Press both at the same time for 3 to 5 seconds.
- Do not rely on unplugging it
Control Lock can stay on after the dryer is powered off or unplugged. You still have to clear it from the control panel.
- Select a dry cycle before choosing options
If the dryer rings or ignores an option button, turn the cycle knob or select a dry cycle first. Pressing an option before a cycle is selected can make the button seem dead.
- Do not confuse CL with Clean Filter
CL is the lock setting. Clean Filter is a reminder to clean the lint screen, and it can appear when the dryer is turned on; after CL is cleared, it should go out when Start/Pause is pressed.
Conditions that make this more likely
Boards fail earlier in hot rooms
Electronics are rated for room temperature. In a garage or an unconditioned laundry room in summer, a control board can sit well above that for hours a day. Before replacing a board, a good technician confirms the parts it controls test good, since a shorted pump or valve can take out a new board too.
What a technician tests
Most likely part first. These are for a technician with a meter and the tech sheet, not a weekend project.
Don't see your symptom?
Describe it on the phone. The company on the other end works on these every day and will know what to ask.
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Read the fix →Common questions about appliance repair
Is CL on an LG dryer an error code?
No. CL means Control Lock or Child Lock is active, so the dryer is blocking most control-panel inputs.
Will unplugging the dryer clear the CL code?
Usually no. The lock setting can remain stored after the dryer is powered off, so use the 3 to 5 second button hold on the control panel.
Which button clears the CL code on an LG dryer?
It depends on the model. Look for Child Lock, Control Lock, CL, a lock icon, or small print under a normal option button such as Wrinkle Care, Damp Dry Signal, or Easy Iron.
Why does my LG dryer show Clean Filter and CL at the same time?
Clean Filter is a lint-screen reminder. CL is the panel lock; clear CL first, clean the lint screen, then press Start/Pause.
When should I call a repair company for CL?
If the correct button hold will not clear the code, or CL returns without anyone touching the panel, the console or control electronics may need testing. That is a technician-level check.
Still showing the problem after the checks?
Call and describe what you tried. You'll be connected with an independent repair company near you.