Kenmore is a generally reliable washer brand trusted in residential and commercial sectors for its overall durability and excellent performance. As with any other appliance, however, issues and defects are not unheard of. Fortunately, Kenmore models are fairly reliable, and most defects are easy to resolve as long as you can pinpoint the problem’s root cause.
A Kenmore washer that’s not working, won’t cycle, or keeps sensing likely has a defective timer, lid switch, line fuse, user-control display board, door lock, or water inlet valve. Users can temporarily resolve the issue with a master reset or by manually shifting the washer to the next cycle.
Bear in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all repair or maintenance plan. The troubleshooting your washer needs depends on what model it is, how the issues started appearing, and the specific issues/defects. Keep reading as I dive deeper on how to keep your Kenmore washer in tiptop shape 24/7, 365.
How To Resolve Problems With a Kenmore Washer
As I mentioned earlier, Kenmore washers are reliable appliances trusted by a wide range of customers globally. However, they do have their fair share of defects. The good thing is that most of these issues are relatively easy to resolve. You can even order the replacement parts on Amazon, so you won’t even have to drive down to the hardware store.
Kenmore Washer Won’t Start Up
If your Kenmore washer won’t start up, check up on the line fuse. The line fuse is in charge of regulating the power flowing through the entire washer’s electrical system.
With a durable fuse, your washer may be able to escape sudden surges without any long- or short-term damage. This security is impressive since power surges can destroy most electrical appliances. The only trade-off is your washer will blow a fuse. Once the fuse blows, you won’t be able to use the washer until you replace it.
If you need to replace your washer’s fuse, try the Line Fuse Replacement Kit by BTNTVEN. It’s an all-in-one kit that contains everything you’ll need to replace washer fuses. Plus, the fuses it comes with are very durable. They won’t fail you no matter what power surge attacks your appliance.
Although, I strongly suggest pinpointing the cause of the surge before getting a new fuse. Remember: fuses don’t blow up on their own. Unless you determine what caused your first fuse to blow up, your succeeding fuses will likely blow as well in just a matter of days.
Kenmore Washer Won’t Cycle or Is Stuck
Whether your Kenmore washer is stuck on the rinse, wash, spin, or sensing cycle, there’s a good chance that this issue is the result of a faulty timer. The timer is in charge of helping the washer transition from one cycle to another, so without it, you can expect your appliance to malfunction at different stages of the washer process.
There are many reasons why the washer timer might start malfunctioning, but the most common one is the accumulation of soot and carbon. Timers send electrical signals to the camshaft. Through this process, the washer smoothly transitions from one cycle to the next.
However, every transfer emits heat, which in turn produces carbon and soot. Over time, these will accumulate on the timer’s electrical wiring and eventually become so thick that the timer can no longer connect with the camshaft.
To address the issue, get rid of the soot buildup. Use a clean rag or cloth to wipe off the grease and grime coating the washer timer’s electrical wiring system. Afterward, re-install the timer to see if there’s any difference.
Although, this is only a temporary fix. If you want something more lasting and permanent, I suggest replacing the timer with a new one. A good aftermarket option would be the WP3951702 by Replacement Parts USA. It’s a high-grade, OEM-standard replacement part customized to match most Kenmore washer models.
Kenmore Washer Sensing Light Flashing
If the only light blinking on your Kenmore washer is the sensing LED, then the sensor has found an issue in the basket/drive. This could be due to a bad shifter, worn hub assembly or an item of clothing that managed to get between the inner and outer tub. The inner tub engages the clutch by dropping down. This washer checks the position of the basket at the beginning of wash before it fills. That’s the noise you hear the first few minutes after you press start. Flashing sensor means it detected a problem with the positioning of the basket.
There could be reasons a Kenmore washer has a flashing sensing light, such as an unbalanced load, a clogged or dirty filter, or a malfunctioning sensor. To fix this issue, try the following:
- Check the load: Make sure that the load is evenly distributed in the drum and that there are no large items that could be causing an imbalance.
- Clean the filter: Check the washer’s filter and clean it if it is clogged or dirty. A dirty filter can prevent the washer from detecting the presence of laundry.
- Restart the washer: Turn off the washer and unplug it for a few minutes. Then, plug it back in and restart the cycle. This can sometimes reset the washer’s sensors.
- Call a technician: If none of these solutions work, there may be a malfunction with the washer’s sensor or control board. In this case, it is best to call a qualified technician to diagnose and fix the issue.
Kenmore Washer Keeps Sensing/Sensing Light Keeps Blinking
The sensing cycle is a relatively new feature on modern Kenmore washers. It prepares the washer for the wash cycle by sizing the laundry load you put in and pouring in the required water amount. The wash cycle won’t start until there’s sufficient water.
If you notice that your Kenmore washer keeps sensing or the sensing lights do not stop blinking, your washer might be having trouble shifting to the wash cycle. This issue likely stems from your water inlet valve.
Do a quick check to see if the valve is on. The sensing cycle’s goal is to fill the tub with sufficient water to properly wash the laundry load you put in. If the valve is closed, water won’t pour into the tub. Thus, the sensing cycle wouldn’t end as the system assumes there’s not enough water.
If the valve is already on the sensing cycle, but the buttons still keep blinking, then the water inlet valve might be malfunctioning. To confirm, use a multimeter to check continuity. If the results read zero or infinity, that means your water inlet valve can no longer send electrical signals to various parts of the washer. Hence, no water enters the tub.
For a durable, high-grade, and affordable aftermarket replacement part built to last years, try Blutoget’s W11165546 Water Inlet Valve. It’s an OEM-standard water inlet valve that fits most modern Kenmore washer models.
Kenmore Washer Stuck on Pause
Have you ever had your Kenmore washer get stuck on pause in the middle of a cycle? If you had to slam the door hard just to get the agitator spinning again, your washer might have a broken door latch.
A safety feature on most washers is that they won’t run with the door open. That means unless your washer door latches onto the lacks properly, the washer won’t start sensing the wash cycle. If you open the door midway, the washer will also stop.
Fortunately, this type of issue is relatively easy to resolve. All you need to do is find a washer door that perfectly matches the model you already have. Once you attach the new door, you should be good to go.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 1, 2021.
Kenmore Washer Not Working After Power Outage
Power outages while you’re doing the laundry can be quite dangerous. The sudden drop in electricity might cause your washer’s main electrical system to malfunction, thus failing to start up. If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t panic. As long as you follow the correct protocol, you should be able to avert any short- or long-term damage risk.
First, unplug the washer. The moment the power goes out, remove the power cord from the outlet as soon as possible to reduce the risk of exposure to a malfunctioning powerline. It’s up to you whether you continue to do the laundry by hand or opt for the power to come back.
Next, let the appliance rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Even if the electricity returns by then, your washer will need a few minutes to recover from the sudden power loss.
Afterward, plug the machine in and leave for one to two minutes. Again, this is to let the washer slowly recover from the abrupt shift in power. Forcing the system to run again will do more harm than good, trust me.
Then, it’s time to perform a master reset. The procedure varies from model-to-model, but in most new Kenmore washers, you can trigger a master reset by opening and closing the washer door six times within 12 seconds.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 1, 2021.
Afterward, your washer should run normally. If it doesn’t, I suggest checking the line fuse, user and control board, power cord, and door lock.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 1, 2021.