Electrolux LOC
Control Locked
Low severityExpert Guide
SeverityLow
What Your Machine Is Actually Telling You
LOC (sometimes displayed as a key icon 🔒) is not an error code — it's a feature indication. The child lock has been activated, and all control panel buttons are disabled until you deactivate it.
How did it get activated? The child lock is toggled by pressing and holding a specific button combination for 3 seconds. On most Electrolux models, it's either:
- The 1st and 3rd buttons from the right (held simultaneously for 3 seconds), or
- A single key icon button held for 3 seconds.
It's very easy to accidentally activate — pressing buttons during loading, leaning against the panel, or children pressing buttons randomly can trigger it. The machine remembers the child lock state even after power cycles, so unplugging and replugging won't clear it.
Why the machine won't start: With child lock on, pressing Start does absolutely nothing. The door lock won't engage, no water fills, no cycle begins. This confuses many people into thinking the machine is broken.
The only exception: On some models, the Power On/Off button still works even with child lock active — you can turn the machine on and off, but you can't start a cycle or change settings.
How did it get activated? The child lock is toggled by pressing and holding a specific button combination for 3 seconds. On most Electrolux models, it's either:
- The 1st and 3rd buttons from the right (held simultaneously for 3 seconds), or
- A single key icon button held for 3 seconds.
It's very easy to accidentally activate — pressing buttons during loading, leaning against the panel, or children pressing buttons randomly can trigger it. The machine remembers the child lock state even after power cycles, so unplugging and replugging won't clear it.
Why the machine won't start: With child lock on, pressing Start does absolutely nothing. The door lock won't engage, no water fills, no cycle begins. This confuses many people into thinking the machine is broken.
The only exception: On some models, the Power On/Off button still works even with child lock active — you can turn the machine on and off, but you can't start a cycle or change settings.
What You're Probably Seeing Right Now
- LOC or a key/lock icon is displayed on the screen.
- No buttons respond — pressing Start, cycle select, temperature, spin speed — nothing happens.
- The machine powers on normally (display lights up) but won't start any cycle.
- You just moved into a new home or bought a used machine — the previous owner/user activated child lock and you don't know the deactivation sequence.
- A child was playing with the control panel and now the machine is locked.
How to Deactivate Child Lock
1
Method 1: Button Combination Hold (Most Common — 3 seconds)
**Try this first:**
1. Make sure the machine is **powered on** (display showing).
2. Press and hold the **two buttons directly to the left and right of the display** simultaneously for **3 seconds.**
3. The key/LOC icon should disappear, and buttons will respond normally.
**If this doesn't work:** Different Electrolux models use different button combinations. Try the next methods.
1. Make sure the machine is **powered on** (display showing).
2. Press and hold the **two buttons directly to the left and right of the display** simultaneously for **3 seconds.**
3. The key/LOC icon should disappear, and buttons will respond normally.
**If this doesn't work:** Different Electrolux models use different button combinations. Try the next methods.
2
Method 2: Specific Button Pairs (5 seconds)
Try these common Electrolux combinations:
1. **Temperature + Spin Speed** buttons held together for 3-5 seconds.
2. **Pre-Wash + Extra Rinse** buttons held together for 3-5 seconds.
3. The **1st and 3rd function buttons** from the right (counting only the option buttons, not Start or Power).
4. Hold for **at least 5 seconds** — some models require a longer press than others.
**Watch the display** while holding — you'll see the key icon flash or the display change when the lock deactivates.
1. **Temperature + Spin Speed** buttons held together for 3-5 seconds.
2. **Pre-Wash + Extra Rinse** buttons held together for 3-5 seconds.
3. The **1st and 3rd function buttons** from the right (counting only the option buttons, not Start or Power).
4. Hold for **at least 5 seconds** — some models require a longer press than others.
**Watch the display** while holding — you'll see the key icon flash or the display change when the lock deactivates.
3
Method 3: Check Your User Manual (2 minutes)
If no combination works:
1. **Find your model number** — on the sticker inside the door frame.
2. Google: **"Electrolux [model number] child lock deactivate"**
3. Or go to the Electrolux website → Support → enter model number → download the user manual.
4. The child lock section is usually under "Settings" or "Special Functions."
**Don't have the manual?** Electrolux makes all manuals available for free download on their website.
1. **Find your model number** — on the sticker inside the door frame.
2. Google: **"Electrolux [model number] child lock deactivate"**
3. Or go to the Electrolux website → Support → enter model number → download the user manual.
4. The child lock section is usually under "Settings" or "Special Functions."
**Don't have the manual?** Electrolux makes all manuals available for free download on their website.
4
Method 4: Power Cycle Attempt (2 minutes)
On a small number of Electrolux models, the lock clears with a specific power sequence:
1. **Turn the machine OFF** with the power button.
2. **Wait 1 minute.**
3. Turn it **ON** while simultaneously holding the two buttons from Method 1.
**This works on about 10% of models** where the lock is software-based rather than persistent.
1. **Turn the machine OFF** with the power button.
2. **Wait 1 minute.**
3. Turn it **ON** while simultaneously holding the two buttons from Method 1.
**This works on about 10% of models** where the lock is software-based rather than persistent.
5
After Deactivation — Verify and Prevent Accidental Reactivation
Once unlocked:
1. **Press Start** — the machine should respond and begin filling.
2. **Press various buttons** — temperature, spin speed, etc. All should respond.
3. **To prevent accidental activation:** Be aware of which button combination activates it. If children frequently access the control panel, consider:
- Using the child lock **intentionally** after starting a cycle to prevent mid-cycle changes.
- Physically blocking access to the control panel.
1. **Press Start** — the machine should respond and begin filling.
2. **Press various buttons** — temperature, spin speed, etc. All should respond.
3. **To prevent accidental activation:** Be aware of which button combination activates it. If children frequently access the control panel, consider:
- Using the child lock **intentionally** after starting a cycle to prevent mid-cycle changes.
- Physically blocking access to the control panel.
When to Call a Pro
- •No button combination deactivates the lock — in very rare cases, the control panel's button matrix circuit has a fault that makes it think buttons are always pressed, permanently latching the child lock. Display board replacement may be needed: $100-$250.
- •LOC appears randomly without button presses — this could indicate a touchpad or membrane switch fault where false button presses are being registered. Panel replacement: $80-$200.
- •The display shows LOC but the issue is actually E40/E41 (door fault) — some models display a lock icon for both child lock and door lock errors. If deactivation doesn't help, investigate the door lock system.
What It'll Cost You
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