DIY HVAC Tools

LG mini split code CL

Child lock active.

  • TypeStatus, not a fault
  • SystemDisplay
  • Can I fix it?Usually a homeowner fix

What CL means on a LG

The child lock is on: the buttons on the remote or unit are ignored until it is turned off. Not a fault.

On this platform, CL is a status, not a fault: the unit is telling you what it is doing; nothing is wrong.

What to do

You can almost always clear this yourself with the steps below.

  1. On most LG remotes, press and hold the Timer up and down buttons together for about 3 seconds to toggle child lock (see your manual).

When to call a technician

This is not a fault. No technician is needed unless it will not clear.

Which LG units show CL

This page applies to LG Art Cool, Standard, Mega and Multi F units. LG's own documentation lists CL as "Child lock active", the same definition used across the LG it is built on. If your unit shows a code with a different shape (for example a four-character code, or a plain number), it is from a different table; use the lookup with your exact code.

Where LG shows this code

The indoor display shows CH followed by a number (CH05, CH38). Units without a display blink the indicator lamps in a pattern; the outdoor board LEDs blink the same number. If someone tells you 'CH 5', that is CH05. CH01 to CH12 are indoor-unit faults, CH21 to CH29 are inverter and compressor faults, CH32 to CH38 are refrigerant-side protections, CH40 to CH48 are outdoor sensors, and CH51 to CH73 are outdoor-unit system faults.

Other LG codes

CH01Indoor air (room) temperature sensor fault (open or short circuit)CH02Indoor inlet pipe temperature sensor fault (open or short circuit)CH03Communication error with the wired remote controllerCH04Drain pump or float switch faultCH05Communication error between indoor and outdoor unitsCH06Indoor outlet pipe temperature sensor fault (open or short circuit)CH07Operating mode conflict (multi-split)CH09Indoor unit EEPROM error

All LG error codes

CL on other brands

The same characters do not always mean the same thing. Check the brand on your unit.

Questions people ask

Is CL on a LG mini split an error?

No. CL is a status message: child lock active. The child lock is on: the buttons on the remote or unit are ignored until it is turned off.

Do I need a technician for LG CL?

You can almost always clear this yourself with the steps below. This is not a fault. No technician is needed unless it will not clear.

Sources

  • LG residential split service manuals (error code tables)

Updated September 2026. Codes and definitions vary by model year. If your manual disagrees with this page, your manual wins. Send a correction.