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LG washer CL code: what it means and how to clear it

Your LG washer powers on, shows CL, and most buttons won't respond. In many cases the washer is in Child Lock mode, which can stay set after a cycle and after the machine is powered off. This page shows the button holds to try before calling a repair company.

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Straight answer

The LG washer CL code means Child Lock, a control-panel lockout that disables most buttons except Power. The single most common cause is the Child Lock feature being turned on, often by holding the marked lock button or paired buttons by accident.

Check these first

Safe to do yourself. Unplug the appliance before you start.

  1. Turn the washer on

    The washer needs power at the control panel before you can clear CL. If the display is dark, press Power first, then wait for the panel lights to come on.

  2. Find the lock mark

    Look for a lock icon, Child Lock, Control Lock, CL, or a small bracket line joining two buttons. Owners often miss the tiny asterisk under a button; that usually means hold the button instead of tapping it.

  3. Try the single-button hold

    If your panel has one marked Child Lock or Control Lock button, press and hold it for 3 to 5 seconds. On some LG front-load models, the marked button may be Spin, Steam, Extra Rinse, Rinse Plus Spin, or Pre Wash with a lock mark.

  4. Try the paired-button hold

    If the lock icon points to two buttons, hold both at the same time for 3 to 5 seconds. Common LG layouts use Temp plus Rinse, Rinse plus Spin, or Temp plus Options, depending on the model.

  5. Don't rely on unplugging it

    Child Lock can remain active after the cycle ends and after the washer has been powered off. If CL comes back when you plug it in, use the marked button hold again.

  6. Stop if the correct hold won't register

    If you found the exact Child Lock buttons for your model and CL still won't clear, the control panel may not be reading the button press. That's the point where a repair company should test the controls.

When it's a repair

If CL clears, no part needs replacement. If it won't clear after the correct model-specific button hold, a technician usually checks the user interface or control panel first, then the key pad or touch display board, then the main control board if the panel input is reaching the board but the lock state never changes. On an older washer with other control faults, water damage at the console, or both a failed panel and failed main board, it may not be worth repairing; on a newer LG front-load, top-load, Direct Drive, or WashTower unit, this fault alone is usually worth diagnosis.

Models where this shows up most

LG says the Child Lock buttons vary by model. Front-load examples include Temp plus Rinse, Spin, and Steam, while WashTower washer controls use the Spin button for the washer-side CL lock.

Worth knowing

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.

PartHow it's tested
User interface control panelThe technician powers the washer, confirms the exact Child Lock input from the model label or tech sheet, then holds the marked button or paired buttons for 3 to 5 seconds. If CL clears, the panel is doing its job; if the button press is never seen by the control, the UI is suspect.
Key pad or touch display boardWith power removed, the console is inspected for stuck keys, detergent film, moisture under the overlay, or a loose ribbon connection between the panel and the board. A key that stays pressed or a dead Child Lock key can make the washer look locked even when the owner is using the right hold.
Main control boardIf the UI sends normal button inputs but the washer never changes out of CL, the main board becomes the next suspect. A technician checks connector seating, board damage, and whether other inputs around the cycle dial respond normally before replacing it.

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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Common questions about appliance repair

Is CL an actual washer failure code?

Usually it's a Child Lock status message. It doesn't point to the drain pump, motor, water valve, or door lock by itself.

How do I reset the LG washer CL code?

Power the washer on, then hold the button or paired buttons marked with the lock icon for 3 to 5 seconds. Use the markings on your own panel because LG uses different button layouts.

Why didn't unplugging the washer clear CL?

LG Child Lock can stay set after the cycle ends and after the machine is powered off. That is normal for this feature.

Is the CL button different on top-load and front-load LG washers?

Yes. Some top-load panels use a Control Lock button at the far right or a two-button lock shortcut, while some front-load panels use Temp plus Rinse, Spin, Steam, Extra Rinse, or Rinse Plus Spin.

When should I call a repair company for CL?

Call if the correct unlock sequence for your model won't clear CL, or if the panel stays unresponsive after CL is off. At that point the user interface or control board needs testing.

Still showing the problem after the checks?

Call and describe what you tried. You'll be connected with an independent repair company near you.

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