On the covered Frigidaire washer, CL means Frigidaire states CL means the lid has been open for more than 20 seconds with Control Lock activated. This is a lock state, not a failure. First, confirm Control Lock is on and the lid has been left open.
Differential
Likely causes of “Frigidaire washer code CL”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The lid was open for more than 20 seconds with Control Lock on (CL)
What separates it The display shows CL after the lid was lifted
How to confirm Turn Control Lock off as the manual describes
- 2
Control Lock was set on purpose or by accident
What separates it Someone enabled the child lock, or a key was pressed while cleaning
How to confirm Hold the key that turns it off
- 3
The lid was left slightly ajar
What separates it Laundry hangs over the edge or the lid has not closed fully
How to confirm Close the lid firmly
- 4
The control was reset by a power cut
What separates it The lock returned after an outage
How to confirm Set the controls again
- 5
A lid switch that does not register the lid
What separates it CL shows even with the lid shut
How to confirm A technician tests the switch
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- That the display shows CL and whether the lid is shut
- Whether Control Lock is on, and who set it
- The model number
- Whether a cycle was running when the lid was lifted
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleConfirm Control Lock is on and the lid has been left open.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleFrigidaire's steps: power the unit off and deactivate the Control Lock feature, following the user manual for the model.
Close the lid fully
ReversiblePress it until it is firmly shut, since a lid that is not fully closed can set off the message.
Power the unit off
ReversiblePress the power key so that the control is in a known state.
Turn off Control Lock
ReversibleHold the key that the manual names for your model for the time it states, which deactivates the lock.
Power the unit back on
ReversibleChoose a cycle and start it, and check that the washer responds.
Test the lid
ReversibleLift the lid during a cycle and make sure the washer pauses, then lower it and check that it resumes.
Call service if CL stays
ReversibleIf the display still shows CL with the lid shut and Control Lock off, the lid switch or the control may need a technician.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The code on this page
- CL, which means Control Lock is on and the lid was open.
- Parts involved
- The control and the lid switch.
- Source
- Frigidaire Owner Support's washer article.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Power the unit off and turn off Control Lock as the manual says
- !If CL stays with the lid shut and the lock off, call Frigidaire with the model number
- !Never defeat the lid switch to keep a washer running
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does CL mean on a Frigidaire washer?+
Frigidaire states CL means the lid has been open for more than 20 seconds with Control Lock activated. This is a lock state, not a failure.
Is CL a failure?+
No. It tells you that Control Lock is on and the lid was opened, so the controls are locked.
How do I turn off Control Lock?+
Follow the manual for your model, which names the key to hold and for how long.
Does it stop the washer from working?+
Yes, until the lock is turned off, but nothing is broken.
Is the lid switch broken?+
Probably not, unless CL stays on with the lid shut and the lock off.