The appearance of the CL code on the display of an LG washing machine confuses many users, since such an error does not exist in the documentation. This is an information message that is deciphered in the instructions.
It means the following: the child lock mode is turned on, and some of the buttons do not respond to pressing. In this case, there is no need to call a specialist, but it is better to correct the situation yourself. What to do to remove the blocking, we will consider below.
- What does this error mean?
- Why it occurs and how to remove it
- LG washing machine catalog with reviews
What does this error mean?
This feature is very useful if there are small children in the family. After all, due to their knowledge of the world and curiosity, they touch, press and pull everything. But if such manipulations are performed with the washing machine during operation, this can lead to damage to it.
Are you unplugging your washing machine?
Oh yes! No
In order to prevent this, the CL child protection function was introduced, the abbreviation of which is derived from two English words: Child Lock. It blocks the operation of all buttons except “On/Off”.
Usually? This is sometimes enough, but the child can press it too. This leads to a malfunction of the LG washing machine, and if pressed continuously, it will eventually lead to damage to the electronic module.
Therefore, if the child determines that the “On/Off” button If the washing machine stops working and does this constantly, then you need to take care to protect the button from being pressed. For this, there are various locking options that can be purchased in specialized stores. This will help correct the situation.
Online diagnostics of a washing machine
If your machine stops washing or rinsing clothes normally, then some kind of malfunction or breakdown has occurred.
You can try to find the problem yourself. Run diagnostics
Select which operation your washing machine does not perform:
1. Doesn’t drain 2. Doesn’t rotate the drum 3. Doesn’t spin clothes 4. Noises, knocks, buzzes when spinning 5. Doesn’t turn on
Checking the operation of the drain pump Is the drain pump of the washing machine working? Yes No I don’t know << Back
Clogged hoses in the washing machine If the sound corresponds to the normal sound that has always been observed when the device is working, the cause is probably a clog.
Was there a blockage in the drain hose? Yes
<< Back
The drain pump does not work! If the sound matches the normal sound of the drain pump, it is recommended that you check the drain filter first.
After cleaning, does the drain pump work and does the washing machine drain water? Not really
<< Back
Operation of the drain pump The sound of the pump is usually immediately audible and noticeable. If there is no sound, the pump is not working. We are looking for how to separately enable the water drainage program. As a rule, this is a separate option. After the program has been turned on, the pump should start working in 1-3 seconds. If everything is done correctly and the pump is operational, a buzzing sound will appear. If you hear no buzzing or other sounds when you turn on the program, the pump is probably faulty.
Is the washing machine drain pump working? Not really
<< Back
Clogged car hoses If you have identified a clog in the hoses, you need to disassemble them, clean them, and then reassemble everything.
Does the washing machine drain well? Not really
<< Back
Hurray, you did a great job, you fixed it.
<< Return to the beginning of diagnostics
The drain pump is faulty, call a professional.
<< Return to the beginning of the diagnosis.
The washing machine does not rotate the drum. During the operation of the washing machine, such a problem may occur. Each model has a different drum operation. It rotates according to a given algorithm, which is set by the program. This principle applies to spinning and washing. If you are not sure whether the drum is not spinning or whether it is working, put the laundry in the washing machine. Start the spin program. If the machine is running, it will first drain the water and then start spinning. In this case, a rotational process will be observed. If rotation is not visible, then check the belt. First, turn off the program, then unplug the wire from the outlet so that power does not flow into the device. Now you need to remove the back cover. You will need to carefully inspect the drum belt. It is quite easy to determine whether it is in the wrong position or damaged.
Is the washing machine belt torn or stretched? Not really
<< Back
Broken drum drive belt If the belt breaks, it will be immediately visible. There are also often cases when the belt simply stretches, which is why the drum, accordingly, does not rotate. Do not allow the machine to operate if the belt breaks. It is important to check whether it has wound around the engine pulley or broken the wiring to the engine. The heating element and temperature sensor may also be damaged if the belt does catch the wires. It is imperative to ensure that the belt model is original. If you choose an unsuitable or low-quality product, this will affect the performance of other devices. How do you know what kind of belt you have? There will be a marking written on the old one, compare it with the one indicated on the belt offered to you. You can also find out belt information by car model.
<< Return to the beginning of the diagnosis.
Washing machine motor malfunction If a malfunction is not found, the block with wires must be disconnected from the electric motor. Carefully remove it. We visually evaluate the engine. It may have melting, cracks, or other effects that clearly indicate damage. We call the windings of the tachogenerator and the engine. It is important to understand that you can fully study how correctly the engine operates and whether there is a malfunction only at the stand. If rotation does not occur, there may be a problem with more than just the motor. Sometimes the cause is a malfunctioning electronic module. If a short circuit occurs in the engine, the module could be damaged, while the engine remains operational. Also, the wires could be damaged.
<< Return to the beginning of the diagnosis.
Repairing a washing machine that does not spin clothes After completing the washing process, the washing machine may not spin properly or may not start spinning. Firstly, look, perhaps another mode is set, which does not involve turning on the spin cycle at all. This happens, for example, with programs related to washing woolen items and delicate fabrics. To check, run the spin cycle separately. If the washing machine does not drain water, we proceed to check the pump.
Does the washing machine now spin clothes? Not really
<< Back
Congratulations, you have solved your problem!
<< Return to the beginning of the diagnosis.
Repair of washing machines, imbalance Modern washing machines place the laundry on the drum before spinning. This is necessary for quality work. Check if this feature works. Sometimes a situation occurs when things get wrapped up in a ball that cannot be unwound automatically within a certain time. At this point the work stops. You need to unwind this laundry yourself, lay it out and continue operating the washing machine. In this case, it is important to turn off the machine, and then, when the laundry is laid out, turn on a separate spin program.
Does the washing machine now spin clothes? Not really
<< Back
Washing machine repair, drum drive repair Now you need to check the drum drive belt. We remove the cover and visually assess the condition of the belt. There should be no damage. If the tension is weak, the spin may not turn on. If you need to replace the belt, you should only replace it with the original one. After replacing, we try the program again.
Fault found, does the washing machine spin? Not really
<< Back
The engine or electronic module is faulty, call a repairman to your home.
<< Return to the beginning of the diagnosis.
The washing machine hums, makes noise during the spin cycle, rumbles, and makes a jet plane noise. If the washing machine makes noise during operation, making unusual sounds, it’s time to pay special attention to it. In this case, a visible breakdown or lack of functionality may not be observed, but the appearance of strange sounds indicates that it is time to look for a malfunction. It is important to understand that a new car that has just been delivered should be inspected for shipping bolts. If you forget to remove them, noise and vibration are inevitable. So, let's begin! We turn the washing machine drum and listen to extraneous sounds.
When rotating, do you hear extraneous noise, hum, balls rolling, does the drum move unevenly with slight jamming? Not really
<< Back
If the drum rotates and uncharacteristic sounds appear, including vibration, it’s time to check the bearings. If they malfunction, they will have to be replaced.
<< Return to the beginning of the diagnosis.
The counterweight of the washing machine has come loose. The fastening of the counterweights must also be of high quality. If they are “loose”, it’s time to eliminate this defect. In some cases, you can notice that the bolts that secure the stones are completely missing. In this case, the connectors for mounting will be visible. The bolts need to be found and put in place - they probably simply came loose. A rumble heard while the washing machine is operating may indicate that the bolts have partially loosened. To check the bolts, you can simply push the drum. If it is secure, the bolts are fine. If it moves, there is a defect.
Do you hear any noise, clanging or rattling noises when moving the washing machine tub? Not really
<< Back
The counterweight has come off
<< Return to the beginning of diagnostics
Checking the shock absorbers of the washing machine Checking the shock absorbers. If you hear vibration or excessive noise during the spin cycle, there may be a problem with the shock absorbers. Sometimes the washer moves. Now let's check the functionality. Remove the top cover. Click on the tank, move it five to seven centimeters down. A normal reaction will be observed if the tank rises sharply, jumping a little and stopping in its normal place. If this does not happen, the shock absorbers need to be replaced.
Are the shock absorbers of the washing machine working? Not really
<< Back
If a visible defect has not been identified, check whether a foreign object may have entered the machine. Replacing shock absorbers. The problem with shock absorbers wearing out occurs quite often over time.
<< Return to the beginning of the diagnosis.
Replacing washing machine shock absorbers. Malfunction and wear of shock absorbers is a fairly common phenomenon.
<< Return to the beginning of the diagnosis.
The washing machine does not turn on. It is worth trying to find the cause of the problem yourself and fix it. We start by connecting the device to the network. Next, click on the “network” button. In different car models, different indications are triggered: here either the display will start working, or, on the contrary, some other button.
Does the washing machine have an indicator? Not really
<< Back
Hatch lock lock (UBL) You can check it by turning on any of the programs. We choose what we will use. Click on the corresponding button. Don't forget to pay attention to the inclusion. As a rule, the process of activating a function is characterized by the presence of a certain sound, for example a click, with which the device makes it clear that pressing again is not necessary and the machine is already working. If there is no sound, the button may be broken. In this case, the main thing that must be done is to block the hatch and start working. If this happens, everything is fine.
The washing machine is blocking the hatch and the UBL is triggered? Not really
<< Back
Water fill valve malfunction
<< Return to the beginning of the diagnosis.
The washing machine hatch does not lock
<< Return to the beginning of the diagnosis.
No indication Checking the electrical circuit. If you notice that the washing machine does not respond to being turned on, it is first recommended to check the power supply. The outlet may be faulty. Try connecting another device. If the outlet works, you need to check whether the circuit that conducts energy through the washing machine from one element to another is intact. To do this, you will need a multimeter, which will help you fully analyze the ability to respond to an electrical signal at several stages of operation. If there is no network connection anywhere, this is probably the problem. We carry out this manipulation until we reach the electronic module. If we are talking about an old washing machine, here it will look like the device’s program. When you turn on the button, there should be no breaks in the circuit. If the circuit works, everything is fine electrically.
Is the washing machine's power supply OK? Not really
<< Back
Repair of electronic module (unit)
<< Return to the beginning of diagnostics
Contact circuit fault
<< Return to the beginning of diagnostics
Spontaneous activation of the lock
In the vast majority of cases, the appearance of this information message is not a sign of a problem, but there is a situation when CL on the display is a sign of a malfunction of the control panel. Possible symptoms:
- the machine locks immediately after turning on the power, and does not respond to any actions of the owner, turning off and on the power does not help,
- the lock is activated during the washing process, it can be periodically turned off and turned on again,
- The user lock is activated, but the lock cannot be removed.
Sometimes it happens that the lock can be removed, but to do this you have to press the buttons with an offset to “catch” the contact. For any of the above cases, repairs involving partial disassembly of the washing machine will be required. What to do in such a situation, call a technician or try to fix the car yourself - it’s up to the owner to decide.
When planning to repair a washing machine yourself, it is important to understand that the machine is a complex device, and inept actions can lead to even more serious damage. You should not undertake repairs without having experience in such work, just as you should not disassemble a device whose warranty period has not expired. Attempting to repair it yourself will certainly void the warranty.
If you have experience and confidence in the result, you need to start by disassembling the car. The exact operating algorithm differs depending on the specific model; instructions are easy to find on the Internet. It will be much easier to work if you first watch a video on the topic. Particular attention should be paid to the part where they tell you how to remove the control panel. In most cases, disassembly is performed in the following sequence.
- The top cover is removed. It is mounted on two bolts at the back of the car.
- The dispenser is removed. Typically, it is held in place by a simple latch. To pull it out, just click on the marked point in the middle of the tray.
- You can remove the control panel. It is secured with several bolts.
A panel with buttons is separated from the control module. It is important to act with extreme caution to avoid damaging conductors and connectors.
Why it occurs and how to remove it
Sometimes the CL message appears unexpectedly. In this case, the function was most likely accidentally activated. It is also possible that the child accidentally turned it on.
Expert opinion
I work in the household appliance repair industry. Extensive experience in restoring washing machines and dishwashers.
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In this case, there is no need to panic. The lock is released by pressing and holding two buttons for 3-5 seconds. These may be different combinations depending on the model and are described in the user manual.
As a rule, these are the following button options:
- “Intensive wash” and “Extra rinse”.
- "Super Rinse" and "Pre-Wash".
- “Temperature” and one of the “Options” buttons.
Important! As a rule, the required combination is marked on the panel with a line with a lock symbol.
On some models of the LG SMA, activation and removal of child protection is carried out by pressing and holding one button - Anti-froissage. If the CL error code cannot be cleared using the methods described, this means that there is a problem in the control unit. In this case, you need to call a technician from a household appliance repair service.
Deciphering other fault codes for LG washing machines.
Who will benefit from the washing appliance lock mode?
This option is suitable for people who have an active child or several children at once. You can turn it on easily, and turn it off too. It is enough to simply press two buttons at the same time, which are indicated by the “nipple” icon, and hold them for several seconds.
You can activate the mode in question directly during the washing process, after which a corresponding notification will appear on the screen. When the process is completed, the function will continue to be active, so you need to deactivate it before starting the next cycle.
