On the covered Samsung washer platform, CL means child Lock. On newer models Samsung says this displays when Child Lock mode has drained water from the tub, which happens when Child Lock is on, the water level in the tub is unsafe and the door has been opened. First, note whether Child Lock is on.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung washer code CL”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Child Lock drained the tub
What separates it CL shows after the door was opened with water in the tub
How to confirm On newer models it displays when Child Lock drained water from the tub because the water level was unsafe and the door was opened
- 2
Child Lock switched on by the panel keys
What separates it CL appears after the lock keys were pressed and the panel ignores other buttons
How to confirm Turn Child Lock off with the keys the manual names and see whether CL clears
- 3
A cycle stopped while the lock was on
What separates it CL appears with water in the tub after the cycle stopped early
How to confirm Turn the washer off and on, then restart the cycle after switching the lock off
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: CL
- Note whether Child Lock is on before you start troubleshooting
- Whether the door was opened during the cycle
- Whether water was in the tub
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleNote whether Child Lock is on.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleSamsung says to clear the code by turning the washer off and back on, or by turning off Child Lock.
Turn it off and on
ReversibleTurn the washer off and back on to clear the code.
Or turn Child Lock off
ReversibleAlternatively turn off Child Lock mode.
Restart the cycle
ReversibleStart the cycle again once the tub is ready.
Look for water in the tub
ReversibleOpen the door only once the washer has stopped and look at whether water remains; Samsung says CL can appear when Child Lock drained unsafe water.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- CL.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the washer before you open the door if water is in the drum
- !Request service if CL will not clear after turning the washer off and on
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Samsung describes this behavior for newer models.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does CL mean on a Samsung washer?+
Child Lock. On newer models Samsung says this displays when Child Lock mode has drained water from the tub, which happens when Child Lock is on, the water level in the tub is unsafe and the door has been opened.
When does it show?+
When Child Lock is on, the water level is unsafe and the door has been opened.