LG Washer CL: Child Lock (Not an Error)

CL on your LG washer display indicates the Child Lock feature is activated. This is not an error or malfunction—it’s a safety feature that locks the control panel to prevent accidental changes during a cycle. When CL is active, buttons won’t respond to presses.

What Child Lock Does

When Child Lock is enabled:

• Control panel buttons are disabled — No response to presses
• Display shows CL — Either continuously or when buttons are pressed
• Cycle cannot be changed — Prevents interruption
• Power button may still work — Depending on model

What Child Lock doesn’t affect:

• The running cycle continues normally
• The washer still drains and unlocks at cycle end
• Power button functionality (on most models)

How to Disable Child Lock (Turn Off CL)

The method varies by model. Look at your control panel for a lock icon (🔒) which indicates the Child Lock button(s).

Method 1: Dedicated Child Lock Button

Some models have a single CHILD LOCK button:

1. Press and hold CHILD LOCK for 3 seconds
2. Listen for a chime confirming deactivation
3. CL disappears from display

Method 2: Two-Button Combination

Most models use a two-button combination. Look for a lock icon printed between two buttons:

Common combinations:

Button Combination	Hold Time
TEMP + OPTION	3 seconds
PREWASH + EXTRA RINSE	3 seconds
TEMP + RINSE	3 seconds
SOIL + SPIN	3 seconds

1. Locate the lock icon on your control panel
2. Identify the two buttons on either side of it
3. Press and hold both buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds
4. Listen for a chime and watch for CL to disappear

Method 3: ThinQ App (Wi-Fi Models)

If your washer is connected to the LG ThinQ app:

1. Open ThinQ app
2. Select your washer
3. Look for Child Lock in settings
4. Toggle off

How to Enable Child Lock

To turn Child Lock ON (to protect a running cycle):

1. Start your wash cycle
2. Use the same button combination as disabling
3. Press and hold for 3 seconds
4. CL appears on display confirming activation

When to use Child Lock:

• Households with young children
• When you don’t want cycles accidentally changed
• To prevent accidental cancellation of long cycles

Troubleshooting Child Lock Issues

CL Won’t Turn Off

If pressing the button combination doesn’t disable Child Lock:

1. Verify correct buttons — Check for lock icon location on your specific model
2. Press simultaneously — Both buttons must be pressed at the exact same time
3. Hold long enough — Full 3 seconds required
4. Try during standby — Turn washer on but don’t start a cycle

CL Activates by Itself

If Child Lock seems to enable without you pressing it:

1. Check for accidental presses — Items leaning against control panel
2. Verify setting memory — Some models remember Child Lock was on after power outage
3. Control board glitch — Perform a power reset:
   • Unplug for 5 minutes
   • Plug back in
   • Check if CL persists

Buttons Don’t Work Even After CL Clears

If buttons remain unresponsive after disabling Child Lock:

1. Power reset — Unplug for 5 minutes
2. Check display — Is CL actually gone or does it reappear?
3. Test power button — If power button works but others don’t, control panel may have issues
4. Contact LG support — May indicate control panel failure

Model Coverage

Child Lock (CL) is available on all LG washers:

Front Load (WM series): All models with digital displays

Top Load (WT series): All models with digital displays

Button combinations vary by model—always check for the lock icon on your specific washer.

Important Notes

CL vs. dL

Don’t confuse these codes:

• CL = Child Lock (feature you activated)
• dL = Door Lock (error—door lock mechanism failure)

Child Lock During Power Outage

If power is lost during a cycle with Child Lock enabled:

• Child Lock setting is typically remembered when power returns
• You may need to disable it before starting a new cycle
• The washer remembers the setting, not the cycle progress

Sources

For official LG support:

• LG Child Lock Feature
• LG US Support

Related Guides

• LG Washing Machine Error Codes: Complete Guide
• How to Reset an LG Washing Machine
• LG Washer dE Door Error Fix