LG Washer CL Error Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
Updated · from manufacturer service documentation
CL on an LG washer display means Child Lock is engaged — it's not an error. Child Lock disables every button except Power, so the controls can't be bumped or changed mid-cycle by kids (or anyone else). CL blinks on the display for as long as the feature is active; the fix is simply turning Child Lock off.
What Causes the CL Display
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Child Lock was activated (intentionally or by holding the button too long) | Most common | Easy — disengage the button combo |
How to Turn Off Child Lock, Step by Step
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Identify how Child Lock was turned on
It's engaged by pressing and holding the Child Lock (Delay Start) button until "CL" appears on the display — either on purpose or by accidentally holding that button too long.
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Disengage Child Lock
Press and hold the same Child Lock (Delay Start) button again until the CL indicator clears from the display. Every button except Power is disabled while Child Lock is active, so this is the only control that responds.
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Power off if needed
If the washer is running with Child Lock engaged and you need to stop it, you must disengage Child Lock first — the Power button won't work to turn the machine off while CL is active until Child Lock is turned off.
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Re-select your cycle
Once CL clears, the control panel responds normally again and you can start or adjust the cycle as usual.
Which Models This Applies To
Documented for the LG front-load WM0742HGA training manual. Child Lock behaves the same way across the cycle: once engaged, "all controls will be disabled until the end of the cycle" unless manually disengaged. This is a control-panel safety feature, not a diagnostic fault code — it has no associated part or repair.
Full list: all LG washer error codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CL a real error I need to repair?
No. CL simply means Child Lock is on — it's a safety feature, not a malfunction, and there's nothing to fix beyond turning the feature off.
Why won't the Power button turn off my washer?
Because if the cycle is running with Child Lock engaged, you need to disengage Child Lock first before Power will respond, per the training manual.
How do I turn off Child Lock?
Press and hold the Child Lock (Delay Start) button until "CL" disappears from the display — the same button used to turn it on.
Can Child Lock turn on by accident?
Yes — holding the Child Lock (Delay Start) button too long during normal use will activate it even without meaning to.
Based on the LG training documentation for the WM0742HGA washer series. Last updated: .