The CL error code on an LG washing machine means that the child lock is active and the settings can’t be changed, and the cycle cannot be started.
This is usually because you have turned the child lock feature on which stops the cycle from being changed or started. This is a safety feature to stop children from playing with the washer.
If you haven’t purposely turned the child lock on and the CL message is on the display, then you might have accidentally turned it on by leaning on the machine.
Sometimes if the message won’t go away after following the correct unlock steps, then it might indicate something more serious such as control board failure.
Let’s take a look at what you can do to clear the CL error message on your LG washer:
How to clear the CL child lock message
Removing the CL error code from your washer is usually straightforward. You need to get the manual for your machine out and identify what the child lock button looks like on your machine.
It might even be obvious depending on what model of washing machine you have because most of them have a child lock button that looks like a key symbol.
If you don’t have access to the manual for your washing machine you can head over to the LG website and download one.
Once you have figured out which button is for the child lock you can hold it down for 3 – 5 seconds and the lock will disable.
You can then try and test a cycle, so you know that the CL error message has been cleared.
Control board failure
If holding down the child lock button did not help in clearing the CL error message, then your machine might have a more serious problem.
If the control board has failed or malfunctioned, then the child lock might be stuck shut. This might mean the control board will need to be repaired or replaced.
The first thing you should do is reset your washing machine. This might help in clearing any errors that are stored on the control board.
How to reset your LG washing machine:
- Turn your machine off by holding down the power button and then unplugging it from the main electrical supply
- Wait for around 10 minutes for the capacitors on the control board to fully discharge
- Plug the machine back in and then try selecting a short wash cycle – If the cycle starts then the error has gone away
If resetting the machine doesn’t solve the problem, then you will need to investigate the circuit board and replace it with a new one if it has been damaged.
Summary
That’s everything you need to know about fixing the CL error code on an LG washing machine.
Here is a short recap of everything that you should do to fix this error message:
- Try turning off the child lock on your machine – This is usually done by holding down the child lock button for 5 seconds
- If the child lock button didn’t help in solving the problem, you should try resetting your washer – This should clear any error messages that are stored on the control board
- If resetting the machine didn’t help, then it might indicate a more serious problem with the control board – It might be necessary to replace the control board
If you need any more help with LG washing machine error codes, then you can go and check out our complete error code list with explanations for each fault.
