Washing Machine
CL
The CL error code on an LG washing machine isn’t actually a fault at all — it stands for Child Lock, meaning the control panel has been locked to prevent accidental button presses. It’s one of the least serious ‘errors’ you’ll encounter, and in most cases you can resolve it yourself in under a minute. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what CL means on your LG washer, why it might have appeared without you deliberately setting it, and the precise steps to turn it off.
What does this error mean?
CL on an LG washing machine stands for Child Lock (sometimes called Control Lock). When this feature is active, the appliance deliberately disables all the buttons on the control panel — so pressing Start, changing programmes, or adjusting settings will have no effect. The machine isn’t broken. It’s working exactly as designed. The Child Lock function is built in to prevent young children from interrupting a wash cycle or accidentally starting the machine. On most LG washing machine models, a small padlock icon or the letters ‘CL’ will flash or remain lit on the display to indicate this mode is active. If the display is showing CL and the machine won’t respond to any button presses, this is almost certainly why.
Est. repair cost
£0 for a DIY fix (most cases); £120–£250 for a professional repair if a control panel membrane or PCB fault is diagnosed
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Step 1 — Don’t panic and don’t unplug the machine just yet. CL is a feature, not a fault. Check your display: if you can see ‘CL’ or a padlock icon, Child Lock is the issue. Confirm no other error code is showing alongside it.
Step 2 — Locate the Child Lock button combination for your specific LG model. On most LG washing machines, you deactivate Child Lock by pressing and holding two specific buttons simultaneously for 3–5 seconds. The most common combinations are: holding the Child Lock button (sometimes labelled with a padlock icon), or pressing and holding the ‘Spin’ and ‘Soil Level’ buttons together, or pressing and holding the ‘Temp’ and ‘Option’ buttons together. Check the sticker on the inside of your door or the top of the control panel — LG often prints the Child Lock button combination directly there.
Step 3 — Check your LG washing machine’s user manual for the exact button combination for your model number. If you’ve lost the manual, visit lg.com/uk/support and enter your model number (found on the label inside the door frame) to download a free PDF copy.
Step 4 — With the machine powered on (it must be on for this to work), press and hold the correct button combination for a full 3–5 seconds until you hear a beep and the CL indicator disappears from the display. Do not tap the buttons — a sustained hold is required.
Step 5 — Once the CL indicator has cleared, try pressing any button to confirm the panel is now responsive. If the buttons work normally, the issue is resolved and you can use the machine as usual.
Step 6 — If the CL indicator clears but immediately reappears within seconds, this may indicate a stuck or faulty button on the control panel that is re-triggering Child Lock. Inspect the panel for any buttons that feel jammed, sticky, or sunken. If you find one, clean around the button with a slightly damp cloth and try again. Do not use excessive moisture near the electronics.
Step 7 — If you cannot clear the CL code using the button combination, try a soft reset: turn the machine off using the power button, wait 60 seconds, then turn it back on. On some LG models this clears temporary software states including a stuck Child Lock.
Step 8 — If a soft reset doesn’t work, try a full power reset: turn the machine off, unplug it from the wall socket, wait 5 minutes, then plug it back in and power it on. This forces a complete system reboot and can resolve firmware glitches causing CL to display incorrectly.
Step 9 — After the power reset, attempt the Child Lock deactivation button combination again (Step 4). If it now clears successfully, your machine is ready to use. Make a note of the button combination for future reference.
Step 10 — If CL persists after all of the above steps, and you are certain you are using the correct button combination for your model, the control board or the control panel membrane/PCB may have developed a fault. At this point, further DIY investigation would require opening the machine’s electrical panels — this is not safe for an untrained person and you should call a qualified appliance engineer.
📞 When to call a professional
You should call a professional appliance engineer if: (1) the CL code will not clear after correctly following the button combination, a soft reset, and a full power reset; (2) the CL code clears but immediately reactivates on its own, suggesting a faulty button or control board issue; or (3) you notice any other error codes appearing alongside CL, which could indicate a separate underlying fault. When you call, tell the engineer: ‘My LG washing machine is showing a CL error code. I’ve tried the Child Lock deactivation button combination, a soft reset, and a full power cycle, and the code won’t clear.’ This tells them immediately that the feature itself is not the problem — there is likely a control panel or PCB fault. You can find qualified appliance repair engineers through Which? Trusted Traders, Checkatrade, or by contacting LG’s own UK service team on 0344 847 5454.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
Because CL is almost always resolved for free in under a minute, repair costs are rarely relevant. However, if the fault lies with a faulty control panel membrane or the main PCB (printed circuit board), the economics change. A replacement control panel or PCB for an LG washing machine typically costs £60–£150 for the part, plus £60–£100 for a qualified engineer’s labour, bringing the total to roughly £120–£250. As a rule of thumb: if your LG washing machine is under 5 years old and otherwise in good working order, a PCB repair is worth doing. If the machine is 8 years or older, consider that a mid-range replacement LG washing machine costs £350–£600 in the UK, and you may be better served investing in a new appliance rather than spending £200+ on an aging one. LG is a well-supported brand in the UK with good parts availability, so repair is a genuinely viable option for machines under 7 years old.