Samsung dishwasher child lock (CL) is deactivated by holding two buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. The specific buttons vary by model. Common combinations: Sanitize + Hi-Temp, or Hold + Start.
I get calls all the time from homeowners who think their control board has died because the buttons won't respond. Usually they just wiped down the panel and accidentally triggered the Child Lock. It's a safety feature designed to keep kids from changing cycles mid-wash, but it basically bricks the machine until you hit the right button combo. Look for the CL code or a small padlock icon before you assume the electronics are fried.
SamsungDishwasherSeverity: low99% DIY Success
Time to Fix
1–3 min
Difficulty
beginner
Parts Cost
—
Tools Needed
Flashlight (helpful for reading faded button labels in low-light kitchens)
What Does the UNLOCK Code Mean?
On Samsung units, the Child Lock is surprisingly sensitive. If your dishwasher seems to have power but ignores every touch, you're probably stuck in this lockout mode. It's not a mechanical failure, just a software state. And here's the thing most people don't realize: the lock stays active even if you turn the power off and back on, so you've got to manually clear it using the panel buttons. I've seen people unplug their dishwasher three times wondering why it keeps coming back locked.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Child lock activated by accident during panel cleaning40%
Power cycle restored machine with lock still active in memory36%
Child pressed buttons during a cycle24%
Symptoms You May Notice
Display shows CL
All buttons including Power are unresponsive
Lock indicator light illuminated on panel
Machine appears completely dead but display has power
Can you reset a Samsung dishwasher to clear the UNLOCK code?
If the button combos aren't working, don't panic. Head to your breaker panel and flip the dishwasher circuit off. Leave it off for a full 60 seconds, not 5, not 10, a full minute. This lets the capacitors on the control board discharge completely. When you flip it back on, give the machine about 30 seconds to fully boot up before you touch any buttons. It should initialize in a clean state with no lock active.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Flashlight (helpful for reading faded button labels in low-light kitchens)
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What buttons unlock a Samsung dishwasher?
Most modern Samsung dishwashers use the Sanitize and Hi-Temp buttons as the toggle. You've got to press them simultaneously for about three seconds. If your model has a different layout, look for two buttons joined by a line with a padlock icon printed underneath them. Common alternatives include holding the Control Lock button alone or the Dry and Sanitize buttons together depending on the model year. Always wait for the confirmation chime before letting go. If you let go too early it won't register and you'll have to start the hold over again.
Why does my Samsung dishwasher show CL?
CL stands for Child Lock. It's probably the most common phantom issue I see when people are cleaning their kitchens. Wiping a damp cloth over the touch-sensitive panel can easily trigger the three-second hold required to lock the machine. It's designed to prevent kids from interrupting a wash cycle or randomly starting the machine, but it gets turned on by accident constantly. The good news is it's not a fault code and there's nothing actually wrong. You just need to know the right button combo for your specific model.
Can I lock my Samsung dishwasher on purpose?
Absolutely, and it's honestly a great idea if you've got toddlers running around. To engage the lock, make sure the dishwasher is powered on, then hold the designated lock buttons for three seconds. The CL code will flash or the lock icon will light up. This disables all the buttons including Power on most models, so the cycle will finish without anyone messing with it. Repeat the same hold to unlock it when you're ready to unload. A lot of my customers who have kids actually use this every single night.
Why won't my Samsung dishwasher unlock even after I tried the buttons?
If you've tried both button combos and done the breaker reset and it's still showing CL, a few things could be going on. First, make sure you're holding both buttons at exactly the same time for a full 3-5 seconds. If your timing's even slightly off, it won't register. Second, some models need the machine to not be in the middle of a paused cycle for the unlock to take effect. If none of that works, try leaving the breaker off for 30 full minutes instead of just one. That's usually enough to clear any stuck memory state on the control board.
Does the Child Lock affect a cycle that's already running?
No, the Child Lock doesn't stop or interrupt a cycle that's already going. It just disables the touch inputs so nobody can change settings or cancel anything mid-wash. If you locked it on purpose right after starting a cycle, the machine will keep running and finish normally. You'll just need to unlock it afterward to open the door latch or kick off a new cycle. Actually pretty handy for that reason. Start the pots-and-pans cycle, lock the panel, and nobody in your house is accidentally canceling it at 11pm.