Key Lock on Washer: How to Turn On and Off

You pressed some buttons on your washing machine and now nothing works. The display might show a lock icon, the letters “CL,” or a key symbol, and no matter what you press the machine ignores you because the child lock feature is working exactly as designed.

According to Samsung, this prevents children or accidental touches from changing the cycle settings or interrupting a running wash.

1. If your washing machine is not responding to any buttons, the control lock is activated and needs to be deactivated.
2. If the display shows “CL,” a lock icon, or a key symbol, the child lock is on.
3. If you want to prevent children from starting the machine or changing settings, the child lock is the feature you need.

The deactivation method is different for every brand. It is always a specific button combination held for 3 to 5 seconds, but the buttons vary by manufacturer and model.

Here is how to activate and deactivate the key lock on every major brand, plus what to do when it gets stuck.

How the Key Lock Works

The key lock is a software feature, not a physical lock, and when activated the machine’s control board ignores button presses on the panel. The power button usually still works, but the lock typically stays active even after a power cycle.

The lock does not affect a cycle that is already running. If you activate the lock mid-cycle, the cycle continues to completion and the lock simply prevents new inputs from changing or canceling it.

How to Activate the Key Lock

Activating the lock follows the same general pattern across all brands: press and hold a specific button or button combination for 3 to 5 seconds until the lock indicator appears on the display.

Samsung

Press and hold the Temp and Rinse buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds until a lock icon appears on the display. According to Samsung, the child lock stays on even after the washer powers off until you manually turn it off.

LG

Press and hold the Child Lock button (if your model has one) for 3 seconds. On models without a dedicated button, press and hold the Pre-Wash and Delay Wash buttons simultaneously for 3 to 5 seconds until the display shows “CL.”

Whirlpool

Press and hold the Control Lock button for 3 seconds. On models without a dedicated button, check the control panel for a small lock icon printed near one of the buttons, which indicates the button to hold.

Bosch and Siemens

Press and hold the Start button for 3 to 5 seconds, or press a specific combination listed in the manual. Bosch models often use a key symbol on the display to indicate the lock is active.

General method (all brands)

If you do not know your specific combination, look at the control panel for any button with a small lock icon, key icon, or “CL” printed near it or on it and hold that button for 3 to 5 seconds. If nothing happens, try holding two adjacent buttons simultaneously.

This video covers how this works:

How to unlock Child Lock from your washing machine? | Forbes Rentals

How to Deactivate the Key Lock

Deactivation uses the same button combination as activation. Hold the same buttons for 3 to 5 seconds until the lock indicator disappears from the display.

Samsung

Press and hold the Temp and Rinse buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. The lock icon disappears when the lock is deactivated.

LG

According to iFixit, press and hold the Pre-Wash and Delay Wash buttons simultaneously for 3 to 5 seconds until you hear a chime. On some models, hold the Rinse and Spin buttons instead.

Whirlpool

Press and hold the Control Lock button for 3 seconds until the light turns off.

If you do not know the combination

Check your owner’s manual for the specific button combination. If you do not have the manual, search online for your model number followed by “child lock” or “control lock.” The model number is on a sticker inside the door or on the back of the machine.

When the Key Lock Gets Stuck

Sometimes the key lock will not deactivate even when you use the correct button combination. Here are the fixes in order of likelihood.

Power cycle the machine

Unplug the washing machine from the wall outlet for 60 seconds, then plug it back in and try the deactivation sequence immediately. This resets the control board and often clears a stuck lock.

Check for a stuck button

A button that is physically stuck in the pressed position can prevent the lock combination from registering. Press each button on the panel firmly and release, checking that none feel stuck or unresponsive.

Check the door latch

On some machines, a door that is not fully closed or a malfunctioning door latch can cause the control lock to behave erratically. Open and firmly close the door, ensuring it clicks into place, then try the deactivation sequence.

Factory reset

Some machines have a factory reset option that clears all settings including the control lock, typically done by unplugging for several minutes or by pressing a specific reset combination. Check your owner’s manual for your model’s reset procedure.

Call for service

If none of the above steps work, the control board may have a fault. A stuck control lock that does not respond to any deactivation attempt or power cycling likely needs professional diagnosis.

When to Use the Key Lock

Households with young children

The primary purpose of the child lock is to prevent children from starting the machine, changing settings, or opening the door during a cycle. If you have toddlers or young children who can reach the control panel, activate the lock before every cycle.

Preventing accidental changes

If you find that settings get changed accidentally, whether by leaning against the panel, pets jumping on the machine, or someone unfamiliar with the settings pressing buttons, the control lock prevents unintended changes.

During a long cycle

Activating the lock after starting a cycle that you do not want interrupted ensures that no one accidentally presses Cancel or changes the settings mid-wash.

For understanding all your machine’s settings, see how to use your washing machine.

For general machine maintenance, see washing machine care.

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