Cl error code in LG washing machine - what it means and how to fix it

Updated: 04/23/2021 11:39:10

Expert: Evgeny Mikhailovich Obolensky

The very appearance of an incomprehensible abbreviation in English on the screen of an LG washing machine can alert owners. But if at the same time the machine still does not turn on, the reaction can be completely different in adequacy. Some people immediately call the technician, some friends, some look at the instructions, and some go online.

And the last two options are the most reasonable, since both in the instructions and on the Internet you can find out completely free of charge that the Cl error is not an error at all

. This is an abbreviation for the English “child lock”, that is, literally, “child lock”, and it means that the lock is turned on in the washing machine.

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.

Control module malfunction

Most often, the cause of a malfunction is poor contact or violation of the integrity of the conductors, but it also happens differently. If the panel is checked, the contacts are clean, there are no breaks, and the indicator still shows CL, the cause of the malfunction is the components of the machine's control circuit.

The control module is the brain of an automatic washing machine and you should not try to repair it yourself. It would be more correct to call a technician to your home or take the car to a workshop. There is an opinion that only the module itself can be removed, it will be tested, the fault will be identified and the failed parts will be replaced. This is wrong; it would be wiser to remove the entire device. This approach will make the master’s work easier and ensure the desired result.

An automatic washing machine is a device that is designed to save a person from unnecessary labor. She not only washes, but also tries to inform the owner about her actions. The user just has to understand what this or that code on the display means. This is not difficult; if a message appears, you should not panic, you just need to look at the instructions and there will be much less reason for concern.

The washing machine locks spontaneously and does not turn off

If there is no special lock, but the error is still displayed on the display, it will not be possible to provide unlocking using the keys. There are three cases in which you might see the code indicated:

• immediately after connecting the equipment to the electrical network to avoid selecting the washing option;
• during operation in case of a mode change (switching from rinsing to spinning);
• blocking of the washing unit by the user and the impossibility of eliminating (disabling) the code.

In all these situations, a comprehensive repair of the device is required. It is advisable to even contact a service center or try to fix the problem yourself. But choosing the second method requires possession of certain knowledge and skills.

What does this LG washing machine code mean?

The CL error appears on the washing machine screen quite often. This happens when the device is turned on. In this case, a person cannot perform any actions: start a washing cycle, select one or another program, etc. Turning off and on the equipment again does not solve the problem. The buttons do not respond to pressing.

The CL code stands for Child Lock. To call this combination of letters a mistake would be wrong. Rather, it is an informational message that indicates that the child lock mode is activated.

Enabling Child Lock causes all buttons to be locked . Even when pressed they will not work. This technology is relevant for families in which children are growing up. While playing, they often press all sorts of buttons, which can cause equipment breakdowns. CL mode prevents this, and such a message on the screen indicates that it is activated.

How to clean contacts yourself?

If you have some knowledge of working with electronics, you can begin to repair household appliances yourself. The first thing you should pay attention to in this case is cleaning the contacts. It is traditionally carried out in the following order:

• disconnecting the control panel (the algorithm depends on the specific device, but you can always use the instructions);
• wiping the panel with alcohol, which will remove the top layer of fat, and along with it, particles of dust and dirt that prevented the key from being pressed;
• using a multimeter to check the contact between the board and the keys (all that needs to be done for this is to just touch the contacts: if there is voltage, everything is normal, you can assemble the machine and use it, if there is no voltage, probably in what where a rupture occurred);
• inspect the wires, identify places where there are faults; contacts often come off due to an excessively humid environment or the appearance of rust; it is not difficult for even a beginner to notice a break);
• clean the wires in the area where they break; this is done by cutting, removing dirt and other scale products, and then twisting;
• organize a final check - this is also done using a multimeter, if a contact appears, then everything is more than good, you can carry out the assembly, if there is no contact there is another gap, so the steps are repeated;
• It is likely that the button has broken completely; in this situation, you will need to install a new key (you can buy it in a specialized store), sometimes you can swap them in places using a soldering iron.

It’s quite easy to fix minor problems yourself; the main thing is to figure out what the reason is and remain persevering. If you have any questions, you can always contact the service center and receive comprehensive support. As a rule, such events are inexpensive.

When should you call a specialist?

If the CL error really indicates a breakdown of household appliances, you need to contact a specialist. Trying to deal with the problem on your own will only make the situation worse.

There are several ways to find a master:

• contact a repair shop - there are such organizations in almost all cities;
• contact a private master - you can find him through an ad in a newspaper or on the Internet;
• take contacts of a specialist from relatives or friends who have used similar services.

The cost of repair depends on the complexity of the breakdown. If you have to replace the wiring to fix the problem, the service will cost 1,600 rubles. Replacing the button will cost 1000 rubles. If a fault is detected in the control board, you will have to pay about 2,500 rubles. Prices do not include the cost of the parts themselves.

Signs that will help identify scammers:

• lack of data on the website: company name, TIN, ORGN, etc.;
• demanding money in advance;
• lack of price list, evasion of answer regarding the cost of repairs;
• lack of opportunity to leave feedback;
• price too low or too high;
• absence of any documents confirming the fact that the work was performed.

You should not give the equipment to an unfamiliar private repairman for repairs on his territory. Most types of work can be completed at the client's home.

Causes of failure, diagnostics and repair methods

However, if the cause of the error is more serious, then a specialist inspection and repair will be required. If the procedures done do not help, then you need to know what to do next. Here are some serious reasons for displaying a code on the scoreboard:

• The door does not close (the handle, the locking device or the sensor of this device is broken).
• The controller is malfunctioning, that is, the machine cannot work fully.
• The problem is in the electrical circuit of the motor (the winding has failed).
• The speed control sensors are broken.

If there is no characteristic click when closing the hatch or the door handle feels somehow weak, then most likely the cause is a breakdown in the lock or locking device. If the machine washes and then refuses to rinse, then the control device of the device is probably broken. If the machine hums, shakes and spins the drum slowly during washing, then the speed control sensors are not working correctly.

But to check the internal electrical circuit of the engine, you will need to remove the back wall of the unit and use a multimeter to check for breakdowns. It is possible that the winding has been damaged and is shorting.

It is best to entrust all these actions to professionals, because they will be able to accurately determine the cause of the breakdown and quickly and efficiently eliminate it. The solution to all these problems is the complete or partial replacement of damaged machine parts.

The appearance of the “LE” error during more complex failures

If the LG washing machine shows the “LE” error, then this condition of the household appliance may be caused by more complex breakdowns. In addition to failed drum bearings, serious breakdowns that lead to the appearance of this type of error on the display are:

1. Tachogenerator malfunction.

When such a problem occurs, the sensors responsible for maintaining a given engine speed fail. Also, this part may be faulty as a result of burnout of resistors that are installed in the electrical circuit immediately after the sensors. Replacing faulty parts will completely restore the functionality of the device that controls engine speed.

1. The motor winding is burnt out.

If, simultaneously with the appearance of this error on the display, there is no rotation of the drum at all, then one of the motor windings may have burned out. The procedure for replacing a washing machine motor is one of the most expensive, so if it is possible to remove this part from another LG machine of the same model, then replacing the electric motor yourself will save a lot of money. Before installing a new part, you should make sure that the electric motor is faulty. If, after ringing the electrical winding, the circuit is not damaged, then the cause of the malfunction can be looked for in the wiring that goes from the control unit to the electric motor.

1. The control module has failed.

Replacing a burnt-out control module can also lead to significant financial costs. In some cases, it is possible to avoid expensive repairs if you replace the burnt elements with new ones, and solder new conductors of a suitable cross-section in places where the copper tracks have burned out. It is recommended to use a multimeter to determine whether electrical components are faulty, but in many cases, burnt parts can be identified visually.

1. The loading door locking mechanism is faulty.

If the locking device fails, then a complete replacement of this mechanism will be required. If this is not done, a signal will be constantly sent to the control unit, which will be interpreted by the device as the absence of a hermetically sealed working chamber.

A similar situation may also arise when the wiring coming from the loading door locking device is broken. After installing a new element, the moment the contacts close will be accompanied by a characteristic click.

1. The power filter is faulty.

With this malfunction, the washing machine also displays the le error, so you should carefully check this unit with a multimeter. You should also make sure that the electrical cord connected to the 220 V outlet is in good condition.

If you repair the washing machine yourself, then before starting work you must completely disconnect the device. If the automatic washing machine pauses its operation until the water is drained, then you will also need to remove the liquid manually.

Check wiring

The reasons for the RCD tripping may be shorts on the control board, internal wiring or external power cable. The machine can also go into protection if the socket is faulty. As a rule, when you turn on the washing machine, the RCD trips immediately after connecting the equipment to the outlet.

Power button

A faulty washing machine control board is one of the reasons why the machine turns off. During operation, the coating of panel elements oxidizes and burns out. The power button may cause a short circuit due to worn contacts or moisture.

You can check the condition of the elements yourself. To do this, take a multimeter and call all the contacts leading to the power button. If the device shows a short circuit, then the cause of the power outage has been found. The power button must be replaced and its contacts additionally soldered.

Socket

The washing machine is a powerful energy-consuming device (from 2 kW). The ideal option for operation is to use a special waterproof socket with a separate circuit breaker. You should avoid using one outlet for several household appliances, as well as connecting to the power supply through extension cords.

Before you start looking for faults inside your household appliances, you should check the functionality of the outlet. There can be two problems:

• Contact fault causing short circuit.
• Heavy load on the power supply network.

Before turning on the washing machine, make sure that the machine is not triggered due to overload. It is possible that when starting the wash, other powerful electrical appliances are used, for example, a kettle or a heater. This problem is especially acute in older houses. Unplug all devices and start the washing machine. If the machine still turns off, then you need to look further for the reason.

Andrey Bogdanov electrician Try connecting another powerful household appliance to the outlet. An electric kettle is best. Got the traffic jams out? In this case, you need to call an electrician to check the wiring. Make sure the washing machine itself is working properly: plug the power cord into a different outlet. If there are no malfunctions in the device, the machine should not go into protection.

Wiring

The next reason for turning off the machines in the apartment may be a malfunction of the internal cabling in household appliances

When inspecting the wiring in the washing machine, pay attention to:

• The condition of the connecting terminals of the elements and their features.
• The tightness of the wiring with the elements of the device (heating element, motor).
• Insulation of all wires inside the device.
• Are there any traces of moisture on the contacts or wires?

By testing the cables with a multimeter, you can determine the sources of the short circuit.

Pay attention to the wiring connections and its insulation. The causes of electrical circuit malfunction may be loose fastenings of internal cables or their constant friction against the device body, as well as a short circuit

Visually check the condition of the wiring. There should be no moisture on the connections

In the event of a short circuit, the wiring may burn out, so pay attention to traces of carbon deposits (melting) and insulation damage. The damaged section of the cable must be soldered

Insulate the connection point and check other contacts and fastening points.

Shield

The reason why the washing machine knocks out the machine may lie in the RCD itself. In practice, this is due to the use of protection of low quality or that does not meet technical parameters. In this case, the machine breaks the circuit as a result of a false operation, which can occur even with a light load. For example, in the middle of a wash cycle or spin cycle.

Automatic protection against electric shock is installed in the panel. Make sure the RCD meets the requirements. For a washing machine, choose a 10-16 A machine with a leakage current of 30 mA (in new houses 10 mA is enough).

Without skills in working with electrical circuits, you should not repair or replace the RCD yourself. Contact a specialist who will diagnose the machine, sockets and wiring.