Kenmore Washer Error Codes: Complete List with Fixes

When your Kenmore washer flashes an error code, the first thing you need to know is not the code itself — it is who actually built your washer. Kenmore is a brand, not a manufacturer. Sears contracted production to Whirlpool, LG, and Frigidaire/Electrolux, and each uses a completely different error code system. This guide covers all three platforms so you can troubleshoot any Kenmore washer regardless of who made it.

Identify Your Kenmore Washer's Manufacturer

Find the model number on the sticker — usually inside the door frame on front-loaders, or under the lid on top-loaders. The first three digits reveal the manufacturer:

• 110.xxxxx — Built by Whirlpool (the vast majority of Kenmore washers, both top-load and front-load)
• 417.xxxxx — Built by Frigidaire/Electrolux (front-load models)
• 796.xxxxx — Built by LG (Kenmore Elite front-load models)
• 402.xxxxx — Built by Frigidaire (older top-load models)

Why this matters: An "F21" on a 110-series (Whirlpool-built) means slow drain, while a 417-series (Frigidaire-built) would show "E20" for the exact same problem. Wrong troubleshooting means wasted time and potentially ordering the wrong parts.

Whirlpool-Built Kenmore Washers (110.xxxxx)

These comprise roughly 70% of all Kenmore washers in American homes. They use Whirlpool's "F" + number error code format and share parts with Whirlpool Cabrio, Duet, and Maytag models.

F02 / F21 — Long Drain

The washer cannot drain water within the expected timeframe. F02 and F21 are the same fault on different control board revisions.

Common causes:

• Clogged drain pump filter (coins, hairpins, lint — the number one cause)
• Kinked drain hose
• Drain pump motor failure (part W10876600)
• Standpipe blockage in house plumbing

How to fix:

1. Open the lower front access panel. Place towels and a shallow pan underneath the drain filter cap.
2. Turn the filter cap counterclockwise slowly — water will pour out. Remove all debris from the filter and the pump cavity behind it.
3. Check the drain hose for kinks. Ensure the standpipe height is 30–96 inches and the hose is not pushed in more than 8 inches.
4. If the filter is clean and the hose is clear, the drain pump motor may have failed. Listen for a humming noise with no water movement — that confirms a seized pump impeller.

Part cost: Drain pump W10876600 is $30–$55. Professional repair: $150–$250.

F05 / F28 — Water Temperature Sensor Error

The temperature sensor (thermistor) is reading an abnormal value — either shorted or open circuit.

Common causes:

• Failed thermistor (part WPW10467289)
• Disconnected wire harness at sensor connector
• Control board unable to read sensor signal

How to fix:

1. Locate the thermistor — on Whirlpool-built Kenmore front-loaders, it is mounted on the outer tub, accessible from the rear panel.
2. Measure resistance at room temperature — should read approximately 50K ohms (50,000 ohms) at 77°F.
3. If reading 0 ohms (shorted) or infinite/OL (open), replace the sensor. Part WPW10467289 costs $10–$25.
4. Check the wire connector at both the sensor end and the control board end for corrosion.

F07 / F22 — Motor Control Error

The motor control unit (MCU) detects an issue with the drive motor or its own internal circuitry.

Common causes:

• Motor control board failure (part WPW10374126)
• Drive motor winding failure
• Wiring issue between MCU and motor
• Overloaded washer stalling the motor

How to fix:

1. Reset the washer: unplug for 60 seconds and restart with a small load.
2. If the code returns, inspect the motor harness connections at both the MCU and the motor.
3. Test motor resistance across all three winding pairs — each should read 2–6 ohms.
4. If the motor tests good, the MCU board WPW10374126 ($85–$150) is likely failed. Check for burn marks on the board.

Part cost: MCU board WPW10374126 is $85–$150. Motor W10677715 is $120–$200.

F11 — Serial Communication Error

The main control board (CCU) and motor control unit (MCU) cannot communicate with each other.

Common causes:

• Wire harness between CCU and MCU damaged or disconnected
• CCU board failure (part WPW10803585)
• MCU board failure
• Power surge damage to communication circuits

How to fix:

1. Unplug the washer, remove the top panel, and inspect the wire harness connecting the CCU (top-rear) to the MCU (bottom-rear).
2. Reseat all connectors firmly. Look for burned or corroded pins.
3. Check for 5V DC on the communication line between boards (requires a multimeter and the service manual pinout).
4. If the harness is intact, replace the CCU first — it fails more often than the MCU.

Part cost: CCU board WPW10803585 is $100–$200. Professional repair: $200–$350.

LF — Long Fill

The washer is not filling with water fast enough. It should reach the required level within 8 minutes.

Common causes:

• Water supply valves not fully open (the most common cause)
• Clogged inlet screen filters
• Faulty water inlet valve (part W11165546)
• Low household water pressure (below 20 PSI)

How to fix:

1. Verify both hot and cold water valves behind the washer are fully open.
2. Disconnect the inlet hoses and clean the mesh screen filters at both the valve and hose ends. Sediment buildup is extremely common.
3. Test water pressure by filling a bucket from the laundry faucet — you need at least 1 gallon per minute.
4. If screens are clean and pressure is adequate, the inlet valve W11165546 ($30–$55) needs replacement.

dL / F14 — Door Lock Error

The washer cannot confirm the door latch is engaged. The cycle will not start.

Common causes:

• Door not fully closed (clothing caught in the boot gasket)
• Door latch mechanism failure (part W10838613)
• Door lock actuator motor stripped
• Wiring fault between lock assembly and control board

How to fix:

1. Open the door fully and check for any clothing or debris preventing the door from closing.
2. Close the door firmly until you hear a distinct click.
3. If the lock clicks but the error persists, test the lock actuator with a multimeter — it should show 500–1,500 ohms.
4. If the lock mechanism is physically damaged, replacement W10838613 costs $35–$60.

LG-Built Kenmore Washers (796.xxxxx)

These are the premium Kenmore Elite front-load washers. They use LG's direct drive motor technology and LG's error code system.

OE — Drain Error

The washer cannot drain water within the allotted time (10 minutes).

Common causes:

• Clogged drain pump filter (coins, lint, hair ties)
• Kinked or clogged drain hose
• Faulty drain pump motor (part 4681EA2001T)

How to fix:

1. Locate the drain pump filter access panel at the bottom-left of the front panel.
2. Place towels and a shallow pan underneath. Turn the filter cap counterclockwise slowly.
3. Remove all debris from the filter and pump cavity.
4. If the filter is clean, check the drain hose and standpipe for blockage.
5. A humming pump with no water flow means the impeller is jammed or the motor is failing.

Part cost: Drain pump 4681EA2001T is $25–$50.

UE / UB — Unbalanced Load

The vibration sensor detected an unbalanced drum during spin and stopped to protect bearings and suspension.

Common causes:

• Single heavy item bunched on one side
• Washer not level on the floor
• Worn shock absorbers (part 4901ER2003A)

How to fix:

1. Redistribute clothes evenly around the drum. Add towels when washing a single large item.
2. Check that all four leveling feet are firmly on the floor with a bubble level.
3. If the code appears on every load, the shock absorbers are worn — they cost $15–$30 each and there are 4 per unit.

DE — Door Lock Error

The washer cannot confirm the door is properly locked and will not start the cycle.

Common causes:

• Door not fully closed (clothing caught in the gasket)
• Faulty door lock assembly (part EBF49827803)
• Broken door strike or latch

How to fix:

1. Open the door fully and check the rubber boot gasket for foreign objects.
2. Close firmly until you hear a distinct click.
3. If the lock mechanism is damaged, test the solenoid (600–900 ohms) and replace the lock assembly if failed. Part EBF49827803 costs $30–$60.

LE — Motor Lock Error

The motor is overloaded or cannot rotate the drum.

Common causes:

• Overloaded drum (too many items)
• Foreign object lodged between drum and tub (coins, underwire)
• Faulty hall sensor (part 6501KW2002A)

How to fix:

1. Reduce load size to about 75% drum capacity.
2. Turn the drum by hand — it should rotate freely. Grinding means a foreign object is caught.
3. If the drum turns freely but LE persists, the hall sensor 6501KW2002A ($10–$20) mounted on the stator is the most common cause.

IE — Water Inlet Error

The washer is not filling with water or is filling too slowly.

Common causes:

• Water supply valves not fully open
• Clogged inlet screen filters
• Faulty water inlet valve (part 5220FR2075L)

How to fix:

1. Verify both supply valves are fully open.
2. Clean the mesh screen filters in the inlet hoses.
3. If screens are clear and pressure is adequate, replace the inlet valve. Part 5220FR2075L costs $30–$55.

Frigidaire/Electrolux-Built Kenmore Washers (417.xxxxx, 402.xxxxx)

These Kenmore washers use the Electrolux/Frigidaire "E" + number code system.

E20 — Drain Problem

Equivalent to F21 on Whirlpool-built and OE on LG-built Kenmore models.

Common causes:

• Clogged pump filter
• Kinked drain hose
• Drain pump motor failure (part 137240800)

How to fix:

1. Open the lower access panel and unscrew the drain pump filter (have towels ready).
2. Remove coins, hairpins, and lint from the filter and pump housing.
3. Check the drain hose for kinks and verify standpipe height is 24–96 inches.

Part cost: Drain pump 137240800 is $40–$65.

E10 — Water Fill Problem

The washer is not filling or filling too slowly.

Common causes:

• Water supply turned off
• Inlet hose kinked
• Inlet valve clogged or failed (part 137353500)

How to fix:

1. Verify both supply valves are fully open.
2. Remove inlet hoses and clean mesh screen filters.
3. If screens are clean, test the inlet valve solenoids — each should read 800–1,500 ohms.

E41 — Door Lock Failure

The door lock mechanism cannot engage properly.

Common causes:

• Door lock mechanism failure (part 134550800)
• Lock solenoid worn out
• Wiring fault between lock and control board

How to fix:

1. Test the door lock solenoid — should read 800–1,500 ohms.
2. Check wiring harness from door lock to main control board for damage.
3. On Frigidaire-built Kenmore models, the PTC (positive temperature coefficient) lock element is a common failure point. Part 134550800 costs $40–$75.

E50 — Motor Failure

The motor or inverter board has failed — a serious error requiring professional diagnosis.

Common causes:

• Motor winding failure
• Inverter (motor control) board fault (part 134743500)
• Motor bearing seized

How to fix:

1. Check motor winding resistance — each phase should read 2–8 ohms.
2. Inspect the inverter board for burned components or swollen capacitors.
3. Spin the drum by hand — grinding means seized bearings.

Part cost: Motor control board 134743500 is $100–$200. Drive motor 137326000 is $150–$250.

Kenmore Washer Diagnostic Mode

Each manufacturer platform has its own diagnostic entry method:

• Whirlpool-built (110): Turn the cycle selector dial one click right, wait 0.5 seconds, three clicks right, wait, one click right, wait, one click right. The console LEDs will light up to confirm diagnostic mode. Press Start to advance through test cycles.
• LG-built (796): Press and hold Spin Speed + Soil Level simultaneously for 3 seconds to enter test mode.
• Frigidaire-built (417): Press and hold any two adjacent buttons for 3–5 seconds until the display enters service mode. The exact combination varies by model — check the service sheet tucked inside the top panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does my Kenmore washer show a different error code than what the manual says? A: Kenmore manuals often cover only one manufacturer platform but are packed with multiple model numbers. Your 110-series Whirlpool-built washer uses F-codes while a 796-series LG-built washer uses letter codes. Check your model number prefix to identify the manufacturer, then look up that platform's specific error codes.

Q: Can I use Whirlpool parts in my 110-series Kenmore washer? A: Yes. A 110-series Kenmore washer IS a Whirlpool washer with a Kenmore badge. Whirlpool OEM parts fit directly. In fact, ordering the Whirlpool part number is often cheaper and ships faster than the Kenmore-branded equivalent.

Q: My Kenmore Elite washer (796.xxxxx) shows codes not listed in the Kenmore book. Where do I find them? A: Your washer was built by LG. Search for the LG equivalent model's error codes. LG's code system is well-documented, and every code on your Kenmore Elite directly matches the LG original.

Q: How do I reset my Kenmore washer error codes? A: For all platforms: Power off, unplug for 60 seconds, plug back in, and run a short cycle. If the error returns, the underlying issue has not been resolved — the code is a symptom, not the problem itself.

Q: Why does the F21 drain error keep coming back on my 110-series Kenmore? A: The drain pump filter needs cleaning regularly — monthly if you have pets or wash heavily soiled items. Also verify you are using HE (High Efficiency) detergent in the correct amount. Excess suds slow draining and clog the filter with soap residue.

When to Call a Professional

Some Kenmore washer repairs require specialized knowledge:

• Control board errors (F11, E50, Er CO) — Board-level diagnosis requires testing communication buses and voltage signals that go beyond basic multimeter work.
• Bearing replacement — If your washer makes a loud rumbling during spin, the main tub bearing has failed. This is a major disassembly job costing $250–$450 professionally.
• Repeated codes after DIY fix — If an error returns after cleaning filters and checking the obvious causes, a secondary failure needs professional diagnosis.
• Any burning smell — Unplug immediately. Burning smells indicate electrical faults in the motor, wiring, or control board that are dangerous to investigate without training.

Tired of guessing which manufacturer built your Kenmore washer? EasyBear technicians are trained on all Kenmore platforms — Whirlpool, LG, and Frigidaire. We identify your manufacturer before we arrive and bring the correct parts. Free diagnostic visit, 90-day repair warranty. Schedule your free diagnosis today.