Kenmore Washing Machine Error Codes

Your washing machine is equipped with an automatic error-monitoring system to detect and diagnose problems at an early stage. If your washer does not function properly or does not function at all, check the following before you call for service.

Error Codes	Possible Causes	Solutions
03	Drain pump filter clogged. Drain hose is bent, pinched, or clogged. Drain pump failed.	Check and clean drain pump filter. Make sure the drain hose is free of clogs, kinks, etc., and is not pinched behind or under the washer. Call for service.
L3	Water supply taps are not open fully. Water line hoses are kinked, pinched, or bent. Water inlet filters are clogged. Water pressure to tap or house is too low.	Make sure that the water taps are open fully. Make sure the hoses are not kinked or pinched. Be careful when moving the washer. Clean the inlet filters. See the Care and Cleaning section. Check another faucet in the house to make sure that household water pressure is adequate.
dE	The lid is not closed properly.	Make sure that the lid is closed properly and press the START/PAUSE button. After starting a cycle, it may take a few moments before the tub begins to turn or spin. The washer will not spin unless the lid is locked. If the lid is closed and locked and the open lid error message is displayed, call for service. If you press the START button while the lid is open, dE error message will be displayed.
dL	Lid lock switch error	Make sure that the lid is closed properly and press the START/PAUSE button. The washer will not spin unless the lid is locked. If the lid is closed and the lid lock error message is displayed, call for service.
FE	Water level is too high due to a faulty water valve.	Close the water taps, unplug the washer, and call for service.
E6	Clutch error	Mechanical failure. Unplug the washer, and call for service
UE	Load is too small. Load is out of balance.	Add 1 or 2 similar items to help balance the load. Rearrange items to help balance the load. The washer has an imbalance detection and correction system. If individual heavy articles are loaded (bath mat, bath robe, etc.) and the imbalance is too great, the washer will make several attempts to restart the spin cycle. If an imbalance is still detected, the washer will stop and the error code will be displayed.
tE	Thermistor error	The water temperature sensor is faulty. Unplug the washer and call for service.
PE	The water level sensor is not working correctly.	Close the water taps, unplug the washer, and call for service.
LE	Thermal overload protection circuit in the motor has been tripped.	Allow the washer to stand for 30 minutes to allow the motor to cool; then restart the cycle. If the LE error code still appears, unplug the washer and call for service.

Kenmore Washing Machine

Problem: Rattling and clanking noise

Possible Causes: Foreign objects, such as keys, coins, or safety pins, may be in tub or pump.

Solutions: Stop washer and check tub for foreign objects. If noise continues after the washer is restarted, call for service.

Problem: Rattling and clanking noise

Possible Causes: Heavy wash loads may produce a thumping sound.

Solutions: This is normal. If sound continues, the washer is probably out of balance. Stop and redistribute the wash load.

Problem: Vibrating noise

Possible Causes:

1. Wash load may be unevenly distributed in the tub.
2. Not all leveling feet are resting firmly on the floor.
3. Floor not rigid enough.

Solutions:

1. Stop washer and rearrange the wash load.
2. Adjust the leveling feet. Make sure all four feet are in firm contact with the floor while the washer is in the spin cycle with a load.
3. Make sure that the floor is solid and does not flex. Refer to Flooring in the Installation section.

Problem: Water leaking around washer

Possible Causes:

1. Fill hose connection is loose at tap or washer.
2. House drain pipes are clogged.
3. Large items such as pillow and blanket over the tub.

Solutions:

1. Check hoses. Check and tighten hose connections.
2. Unclog drain pipe. Contact a plumber if necessary.
3. Check the cycle. If you wash large items, use BULKY/BEDDING cycle.
4. Stop washer and check the load position. Lay bulky items into the tub.

Problem: Excessive sudsing

Possible Causes: Too much detergent or incorrect detergent.

Solutions: Reduce detergent amount or use low-sudsing detergent.

Problem: Wash cycle time is longer than usual

Possible Causes: The washer automatically adjusts the wash time for the amount of laundry, water pressure, water temperature, and other operating conditions.

Solutions: This is normal. The washer adjusts cycle time automatically to provide optimal results for the selected cycle.

Problem: Staining

Possible Causes:

1. Laundry products were added directly to the tub or onto the laundry.
2. Washer not unloaded promptly.
3. Laundry not sorted properly.

Solutions:

1. Load the laundry products into the dispenser.
2. Always remove items from the washer as soon as the cycle is completed.
3. Always wash dark colors separately from light colors and whites to prevent discoloration. If possible, do not wash heavily soiled items with lightly soiled ones.

Problem: Wrinkling

Possible Causes:

1. Washer not unloaded promptly.
2. Washer overloaded.
3. Hot and cold water inlet hoses are reversed.

Solutions:

1. Always remove items from the washer as soon as the cycle is completed.
2. The washer can be fully loaded, but the tub should not be tightly packed with items. The lid of the washer should close easily.
3. Hot water rinse can set wrinkles in garments. Check the inlet hose connections.

NOTE: If an error message is displayed for 4 minutes, the water in the tub will automatically drain. An alarm will sound 1 minute prior to draining and the original error code will continue to be displayed.

Kenmore Washing Machine Control Panel

BEFORE CALLING FOR SERVICE

Problem: Washer won’t operate

Possible Causes:

1. Control panel is asleep
2. Washer is unplugged
3. Water supply is turned off
4. Controls are not set properly
5. Lid is open-safety feature prevents the washer from filling and operation when lid is up
6. Circuit breaker/fuse is tripped/blown
7. Electronics need to be reset
8. START was not pressed after a cycle was set
9. Extremely low water pressure
10. Washer is too cold

Solutions:

1. This is normal. Press POWER
2. Make sure cord is plugged securely into a working outlet
3. Turn both hot and cold faucets fully on
4. Make sure the cycle was set correctly, close the lid and press START
5. Close lid and reset cycle, to the beginning if necessary
6. Check house circuit breakers/fuses. Replace fuses or reset breaker. The washer should have a dedicated circuit
7. Press the POWER button, then reselect the desired cycle and press the START/PAUSE button
8. Press the POWER button then reselect the desired cycle and press the START/PAUSE button
9. Check another faucet in the house to make sure that household water pressure is adequate
10. If the washer has been exposed to temperatures below reezing for an extended period of time, allow it to warm up before pressing POWER. Otherwise, the display will not come on.

Problem: Washer not filling

Possible Causes:

1. Filter clogged or fill hoses may be kinked
2. Energy efficiency
3. Insufficient water supply
4. The washer lid is open
5. Incorrect fill hose connection
6. Water fill optimization

Solutions:

1. Make sure that filters (blue and orange screens must be free of solids) on the unit are not clogged
2. This is an energy-efficient washer
3. Make sure that the water supply is turned on
4. The washer lid must be closed for all washer cycle operations
5. Make sure that the fill hoses connect the hot water supply to the hot inlet on the washer, and the cold water supply to the cold inlet on the washer
6. Water may not cover the top level of the clothes. This is normal for this high-efficiency washer

Problem: Washer will not drain water

Possible Causes:

1. Kinked drain hose
2. Drain located higher than 8′ above floor

Solutions:

1. Ensure that the drain hose is not kinked
2. Make sure the drain hose is no higher than 96″ above the bottom of the washer

Problem: Water leaks every load

Possible Causes: Hoses not installed correctly

Solutions: Check all fill and drain hose connections to ensure that they are tight and secure

Problem: Water leaks

Possible Causes: Oversudsing of detergent

Solutions: Oversudsing may create leaks, and may be caused by the type and amount of detergent used. High-efficiency detergent is recommended. Make sure that detergent and any additives are put into the correct dispenser compartments. Follow the detergent manufacture’s recommendations for the amount of detergent, but try using less detergent, especially if home water conditioning or water softening units are used.

Kenmore Washing Machine Manual PDF