LG · Washing Machine
LG Washing Machine CL Error Code
Child Lock active—not a mechanical fault
What this error means
CL is Child Lock, not a failure code. LG disables cycle selection and temperature buttons so children cannot start or change a wash. The display may flash CL when any locked button is pressed.
How CL is detected
When CL appears on a LG washing machine, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On LG WM3400CW, LG WT7800CW, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most CL calls are resolved without parts: press and hold the temp and options buttons together for three seconds until cl disappears. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If CL returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Child Lock enabled by holding Temp and Options together during cleaning
- SmartThinQ app lock turned on remotely
- Power surge restoring lock state on some firmware builds
- Guest accidentally activating lock while wiping the control panel
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Press and hold the Temp and Options buttons together for three seconds until CL disappears
- 2On models with a dedicated Lock key, hold Lock three seconds instead
- 3Open the ThinQ app and disable Control Lock under appliance settings
- 4Confirm buttons respond after CL clears by changing spin speed on an idle machine
When to call a technician
Only if the panel stays unresponsive after CL is gone—then suspect UI board failure, not the lock feature.
Affected models
- LG WM3400CW
- LG WT7800CW
- LG WM8100HVA
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use washing machines to prevent CL from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when CL appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your LG washing machine—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for CL; LG uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting CL; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.