Kenmore Washer No Hot or Cold Water — Troubleshooting Guide
A Kenmore washer that only fills with one temperature (hot only or cold only) has a partially failed water inlet valve or a supply-side issue. The inlet valve on all Kenmore platforms has separate solenoids for hot and cold — when one solenoid fails, only the other temperature is available. Understanding your platform helps locate and source the correct replacement valve.
How Temperature Mixing Works on Kenmore Washers
Kenmore washers (all platforms: 110, 796, 417) do NOT have internal water heaters for standard cycles. They mix hot and cold water from your household supply through a multi-solenoid inlet valve:
- Hot cycle: Hot solenoid opens, cold stays closed
- Cold cycle: Cold solenoid opens, hot stays closed
- Warm cycle: Both solenoids open simultaneously, mixing in the valve body
Exception: Some Kenmore 796-series (LG platform) models have an internal heater for the Allergen/Sanitize cycle that boosts water temperature above what your water heater provides. This is separate from normal temperature selection.
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Most Common Causes
1. Failed Inlet Valve Solenoid — One Side (35% of cases)
The most common cause: one solenoid coil has burned out (open winding). The washer fills with the working temperature on every cycle regardless of temperature selection.
How to confirm: With the washer unplugged, disconnect the wire connector from each solenoid and test resistance with a multimeter. Normal: 500-1500 ohms. Open (OL/infinite) = that solenoid has failed.
Platform valve locations:
- 110-series: Rear of machine where fill hoses connect. Remove rear access panel.
- 796-series: Inside top panel at rear. Remove top panel (3 screws).
- 417-series: Behind top panel at rear-left.
DIY Difficulty: Moderate Parts Cost: $25–$60 (complete valve — solenoids not sold separately on Kenmore platforms) Professional Repair Cost: $120–$220
2. Clogged Inlet Screen — One Side (25% of cases)
The mesh screen on one inlet port is completely blocked with mineral deposits while the other remains clear. Sacramento's hard water deposits more scale on the hot-water side (hot water carries dissolved minerals more readily). Pull both screens and compare — a heavily crusted screen on one side explains single-temperature fill.
DIY Difficulty: Easy Parts Cost: $0 (vinegar soak and brush clean) Professional Repair Cost: $80–$120
3. Supply Valve Closed or Restricted (15% of cases)
The hot or cold supply valve behind the washer is closed, partially closed, or the internal gate has seized. Verify both are fully open. Try disconnecting the fill hose from the blocked side and checking flow into a bucket.
4. Water Heater Issue (10% of cases)
If no hot water reaches the washer, verify the water heater is functioning (check hot water at a nearby sink). A dead water heater or a closed hot-water shutoff at the heater itself affects the washer.
5. Kinked Fill Hose (8% of cases)
One fill hose kinked behind the washer — usually happens when the machine is pushed back against the wall after being pulled forward.
6. Control Board Temperature Selection Failure (7% of cases)
On electronic-control Kenmore washers (newer 110, all 796, all 417), the control board sends the signal to the correct solenoid based on temperature selection. If the relay or triac for one temperature has failed, that solenoid never receives power regardless of setting.
Repair Steps (Inlet Valve Replacement)
- Shut off both supply valves and unplug the washer.
- Disconnect fill hoses — note hot vs cold orientation.
- Access the valve (platform-specific — see locations above).
- Photograph wire connections before disconnecting.
- Disconnect electrical connectors and internal outlet hoses.
- Remove mounting screws and extract the valve.
- Install new valve — ensure hot and cold inlets match the external hose connections.
- Reconnect internal hoses, electrical connectors, and external fill hoses.
- Turn on supply valves, check for leaks, then test all temperature settings.
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FAQ
Q: My Kenmore washer washes everything in cold water regardless of setting — is it the valve?
Most likely yes — the hot-water solenoid in the inlet valve has failed. Verify by feeling the water early in a hot-water cycle. If cold when set to hot, the solenoid is dead. Replace the complete inlet valve.
Q: Can I replace just one solenoid on my Kenmore washer inlet valve?
No — on all Kenmore platforms (110, 796, 417), the inlet valve is sold as a complete assembly with both solenoids integrated. Individual solenoid coils are not available as separate parts.
Kenmore washer temperature issue? We carry inlet valves for all platforms for same-day temperature restoration. Book service →
