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LG Washing Machine CL Code: Meaning and Quick Fix

Technically Reviewed by Oleg Chudnovski on Apr 23, 2026 | Written by Spark Service PRO Editorial Contributors

CL on an LG washing machine means Child Lock is on. It is not an Error.

To remove it, press and hold the Child Lock button, or the two buttons with a lock icon, for 3 to 5 seconds.

If you see CL on the display, your washer is working normally, but the control panel is locked to prevent accidental changes. This feature is commonly used to keep children from interfering with the wash cycle.

How to remove CL code in seconds:

• Press and hold the Child Lock button (or the two buttons marked with a lock icon)
• Hold it for 3 to 5 seconds
• The CL code will disappear, and the control panel operation will unlock

In most LG washer models, the button combination may vary, but it is always clearly marked on the control panel.

If the CL code does not turn off after holding the correct buttons, double-check your model’s control panel layout or refer to the user manual. In rare cases, unresponsive controls may indicate a separate issue, but this is uncommon.

According to official LG support documentation (link at the bottom of the page), the CL code simply indicates that Child Lock is enabled and does not mean the washer is broken.

When Does the "CL" Code Appear?

CL Error Code:

• The CL error code typically appears when the washing machine’s Child Lock feature is activated. In about 95% of cases, the CL code simply indicates that Child Lock is on. However, in rare cases, from our appliance repair experience, unresponsive buttons may indicate a separate issue unrelated to the control lock itself.

Possible Causes:

• Child Lock Activation (the CL error code is often associated with activating the Child Lock feature, which is designed to prevent unintended operation). The possible cause of this event is accidental or intentional activation of the Child Lock feature.
• In rare cases, unresponsive buttons may indicate a separate issue (not related to CL itself)

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Detailed Steps to Remove the CL Code from Your Appliance

Child Lock activation solution:

• Refer to the user manual for instructions on deactivating the Child Lock.
• Typically, pressing and holding the Child Lock button for a few seconds can deactivate this feature.
• Double-check that the Child Lock is turned off before attempting to start a new cycle.

Complete restart and reset of the washing machine:

• Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
• Wait a few minutes for the control board to reset.
• Plug the washing machine back in and attempt to start a new cycle.

Quick Summary of the CL Code on an LG Washing Machine

In most cases, the CL code on an LG washing machine simply means that the Child Lock feature is activated, not that the appliance is malfunctioning. Disabling Child Lock usually takes just a few seconds by pressing and holding the appropriate buttons on the control panel.

To avoid confusion in the future, always check whether the Child Lock feature is enabled before assuming there is a problem with the washer.

Official confirmation:
According to LG support documentation, the CL code indicates that Child Lock is enabled and does not signal a malfunction.

If you are still not comfortable fixing the CL code issue and need professional assistance, please dial 647-503-6655 to reach our LG-authorized technicians at Spark Service PRO for quick LG appliance service. Each of our repairs is covered by service and parts warranty up to 1 year.