Bosch Washer CL — Child Lock Active Fix

What it means

Bosch washer CL (sometimes shown as 'CHILD' on certain panels) is Bosch's Child Lock indicator — not a fault.
Child Lock blocks the control panel buttons so children can't change cycle settings or accidentally start the washer.
The CL appears when you try to use a button while the lock is on.

Affected Models

Bosch Serie 2 / Serie 4 / Serie 6 / Serie 8 washing machines
Bosch Logixx, Maxx, Classixx ranges (older naming)
Bosch WAW, WAT, WAY, WAQ model series
Bosch Varioperfect washers
Same codes appear on Siemens and Neff washers (shared platform)

Common Causes

Child Lock turned on intentionally and forgotten
Child Lock toggled accidentally by leaning on the panel
Child Lock activated by another household member
Stuck Child Lock button preventing toggle off
Control board fault holding Child Lock state (rare)

How to Fix It

Hold the Child Lock button(s).

On most Bosch washers, hold the Start/Reload button for 3-5 seconds until you hear a beep and CL clears.
On some models with a key-icon button, hold that for 3 seconds.
The exact button is shown on the control panel above with a small key or padlock icon.
Check your model's manual.

Different Bosch models use different Child Lock combinations.
If the obvious key-icon button doesn't work, check your model's manual or look up the model number on Bosch's support site.
Power-cycle the washer.

If the standard combination doesn't disable Child Lock, unplug the washer for 60 seconds and plug back in.
This sometimes resets a stuck Child Lock state in software.
Inspect the buttons.

If the Child Lock button feels stuck or doesn't click cleanly, the panel button is mechanically failed.
Replacement is a technician-level job involving a new control panel.

When to Call a Professional

CL is rarely a fault — almost always intentional.
Call a technician only if the standard hold-combination doesn't disable Child Lock and a power-cycle doesn't reset it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn off Child Lock on a Bosch washing machine?

Hold the Start/Reload button for 3-5 seconds until you hear a beep — this is the most common Bosch combination.
If your model has a separate key-icon button, hold that instead.
The display will show 'CL OFF' or simply clear and let you use the washer normally.
If neither works, check the user manual for your specific Bosch model — the WAW, WAT, WAY, and WAQ ranges all use slightly different button arrangements.