April 19, 2023

Kenmore HE5 steam front-load washer error codes

Kenmore

These error code explanations can help you diagnose a problem with your Kenmore HE5 Steam front-load washer. For repair how-to help, visit the PartsDirect repair help section, which includes repair help for washing machines, other major appliances, lawn and garden equipment, garage door openers, vacuum cleaners and more. Search for your model number to find a complete list of replacement parts for your washer.

Error Code
Condition
DIY advice
F01

Main control board EEPROM error

Check/Repair

The Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) on the main electronic control board is corrupted. Unplug the washer for 5 minutes, restore power and see if the code clears. If not, the replace the main electronic control board.

Possible parts
Main electronic control board
F03

Heating element broken

Check/Repair

The heating element has an internal short circuit. Unplug the washer and replace the heating element.

Possible parts
Heating element
F06

Steamer failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the steamer and the steamer electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire harness connections are okay, replace the steamer. To clear the error code and reset the washer, run the diagnostic test. To enter the diagnostic test, plug in the washer and close the door. With the tub empty and the control off, select any one key except Stop/Cancel or Control Lock and press the key in this pattern: press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds. After the 5th iteration, the control will display the last stored error code (F61). Press the same selected key to display and move past any other saved error codes. The control will save and display up to 4 error codes. After you display all of the saved error codes, press the same selected key again to enter the diagnostic test cycle. The version numbers of the control boards will display and then all green console LED lights will turn on for 5 seconds. The washer then begins the automatic test cycle. C:00 through C:09 will appear in the display as the test progresses. The diagnostic test ends after a few minutes and the control shuts off. You can then use the washer again.

Possible parts
Steamer, wire harness
F11

Motor control board failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the motor control board and the main electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire connections are okay, replace the motor control board.

How-to help
Possible parts
Motor control board
F20

Not filling

Check/Repair

Make sure the water supply faucets behind the washer are fully open. Check the water fill lines for kinks or freezing in the winter. Check the water inlet valves. If the valves don't open when activated, replace the water inlet valve assembly.

Possible parts
Water inlet valve assembly
F21

Will not drain

Check/Repair

The washer failed to drain within 8 minutes. Check the washer drain path for a clog or restriction. Clear the large item filter in the drain pump. If the drain pump doesn't drain the water when activated, replace it.

Possible parts
Drain pump
F22

Door lock failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wiring harness connections between the door lock assembly and the main control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire connections are okay, replace the door lock assembly.

Possible parts
Door lock assembly, wire harness
F23

Heating element failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the heating element and the main control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire connections are okay, measure the resistance with a multimeter. You should measure about 15 ohms of resistance through the heating element. Replace the heating element if you measure infinite resistance because that means the element is broken.

Possible parts
Heating element, wire harness
F24

Water temperature sensor error

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the temperature sensor and the display control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire connections are okay, replace the temperature sensor.

Possible parts
Temperature sensor, wire harness
F25

Drive motor tachometer error

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the motor control board and the drive motor. Check the wire harness connection between the motor control board and the main control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace any damaged wire harness. If the wire connections are okay, replace the drive motor which includes the tachometer as an internal component. If the problem continues, replace the motor control board.

How-to help
Possible parts
Drive motor, motor control board, wire harness
F26

Door switch error

Check/Repair

The control detects that the door hasn't opened for 3 consecutive cycles or the door switch indicates that the door is open with the door lock engaged. If you've run 3 consecutive cycles without opening the door, open and shut the door to clear the code. If the door switch detects the door open while locked, push on the door to make sure it's completely closed. Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the door lock/switch assembly and the main electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire connections are okay, replace the door lock/switch assembly.

Possible parts
Door lock/switch assembly, wire harness
F27

Overflow

Check/Repair

The drain pump runs constantly in an effort to drain the water and the door stays locked. If the washer is overfilled, unplug the washer to see if water continues to fill the tub. Shut off the water supply and replace the water inlet valve assembly if the washer fills while unplugged. If the washer is empty when this code appears, unplug the washer and replace the water level pressure switch because it isn't accurately detecting water level.

Possible parts
Water inlet valve assembly, water level pressure switch
F28

Communication error between the main electronic control board and the motor control board

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the main electronic control board and the motor control board. Check the wire harness connections between the motor control board and the drive motor. Reconnect any loose wires or replace any wire harness that you find damaged. If those wire connections are okay, check the wire connections between the door lock/switch assembly and the main electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. A bad door lock/switch also prevents the motor control board from getting power, resulting in the F28 code. Replace the door lock/switch assembly if damaged. Replace the motor control board if the wire connections and door lock/switch assembly are both okay.

How-to help
Possible parts
Motor control board, door lock/switch assembly, wire harness
F29

Door unlock error

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer. To manually unlock and open the door, remove the bottom front service panel, reach up into the cabinet and pull down on the manual release tab on the bottom of the door lock/switch assembly then pull the door open. Check for foreign objects in the door lock receiver. Clear any debris or objects from the receiver. If the door lock receiver is clear, check the wire harness connections between the door lock/switch assembly and the main electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire connections are okay, replace the door lock/switch assembly.

Possible parts
Door lock/switch assembly, wire harness
F30

Dispenser system failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and remove the top washer panel. Check the wire harness connections between the dispenser actuator and the main electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire connections are okay, check the actuator cam and levers. Replace any damaged linkage components. If the cams and levers are okay, replace the dispenser actuator.

Possible parts
Dispenser actuator, dispenser actuator cam and levers, wire harness
F31 or F42

Motor control board failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the motor control board and the drive motor. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire harness connections are okay, replace the motor control board.

How-to help
Possible parts
Motor control board, wire harness
F32 or F35

Water level sensor failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the main electronic control board and the water level sensor. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire harness connections are okay, replace the water level sensor.

Possible parts
Water level sensor, wire harness
F61 or F65

Steamer communication failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the steamer electronic control board and the main electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire harness connections are okay, replace the steamer electronic control board. After replacing the steamer electronic control board, run the diagnostic test cycle to clear the error code and initialize the new steamer electronic control board. To enter the diagnostic test, plug in the washer and close the door. With the tub empty and the control off, select any one key except Stop/Cancel or Control Lock and press the key in this pattern: press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds. After the 5th iteration, the control will display the last stored error code (F61). Press the same selected key to display and move past any other saved error codes. The control will save and display up to 4 error codes. After you display all of the saved error codes, press the same selected key again to enter the diagnostic test cycle. The version numbers of the control boards will display and then all green console LED lights will turn on for 5 seconds. The washer then begins the automatic test cycle. C:00 through C:09 will appear in the display as the test progresses. The diagnostic test will end after a few minutes and the control will shut off. You can then use the washer again.

Possible parts
Steamer electronic control board, wire harness
F62

Steamer electronic control board failure

Check/Repair

One of the steamer electronic control board relays failed. Unplug the washer and replace the steamer electronic control board. After replacing the steamer electronic control board, run the diagnostic test cycle to clear the error code and initialize the new steamer electronic control board. To enter the diagnostic test, plug in the washer and close the door. With the tub empty and the control off, select any one key except Stop/Cancel or Control Lock and press the key in this pattern: press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds. After the 5th iteration, the control will display the last stored error code (F61). Press the same selected key to display and move past any other saved error codes. The control will save and display up to 4 error codes. After you display all of the saved error codes, press the same selected key again to enter the diagnostic test cycle. The version numbers of the control boards will display and then all green console LED lights will turn on for 5 seconds. The washer then begins the automatic test cycle. C:00 through C:09 will appear in the display as the test progresses. The diagnostic test will end after a few minutes and the control will shut off. You can then use the washer again to wash laundry.

Possible parts
Steamer electronic control board
F63

Steamer failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the steamer and the steamer electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wire or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire harness connections are okay, replace the steamer. Run the diagnostic test to clear the error code and reset the washer. To enter the diagnostic test, plug in the washer and close the door. With the tub empty and the control off, select any one key except Stop/Cancel or Control Lock and press the key in this pattern: press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds. After the 5th iteration, the control will display the last stored error code (F61). Press the same selected key to display and move past any other saved error codes. The control will save and display up to 4 error codes. After you display all of the saved error codes, press the same selected key again to enter the diagnostic test cycle. The version numbers of the control boards will display and then all green console LED lights will turn on for 5 seconds. The washer then begins the automatic test cycle. C:00 through C:09 will appear in the display as the test progresses. The diagnostic test will end after a few minutes and the control will shut off. You can then use the washer again.

Possible parts
Steamer, wire harness
F64

Steamer inlet valve failure

Check/Repair

The steamer inlet valve is part of the inlet water valve assembly. Unplug the washer and replace the inlet water valve assembly. Run the diagnostic test to clear the error code and reset the washer. To enter the diagnostic test, plug in the washer and close the door. With the tub empty and the control off, select any one key except Stop/Cancel or Control Lock and press the key in this pattern: press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds, release, press and hold for 3 seconds. After the 5th iteration, the control will display the last stored error code (F61). Press the same selected key to display and move past any other saved error codes. The control will save and display up to 4 error codes. After you display all of the saved error codes, press the same selected key again to enter the diagnostic test cycle. The version numbers of the control boards will display and then all green console LED lights will turn on for 5 seconds. The washer then begins the automatic test cycle. C:00 through C:09 will appear in the display as the test progresses. The diagnostic test will end after a few minutes and the control will shut off. You can then use the washer again to wash laundry.

Possible parts
Inlet water valve assembly
F70 or F71

No communication between the main electronic control board and the user interface control

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the main electronic control board and the user interface control. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire connections are okay and the drum rotates before the code appears, replace the user interface control. Replace the main electronic control board if the drum doesn't rotate before the code appears.

Possible parts
Main electronic control board, user interface control, wire harness
rL or F34

Load inside the washer during the Clean Washer cycle

Check/Repair

You can only run the Clean Washer cycle with the tub empty. Remove any clothes from the washer and restart the Clean Washer cycle. If you had no clothes in the washer when starting the Clean Washer cycle, then you'll likely need to replace the spin bearing because the spin bearing isn't allowing the spin basket to rotate smoothly. The spin bearing is a component of the outer tub and isn't available as a separate part. Replace the outer tub if the spin bearing failed.

Possible parts
Outer tub
Sd

Excessive suds

Check/Repair

Excessive suds is detected during the cycle. The cycle goes into a suds kill routine by filling the tube with water and then tumbling the clothes. If this routine doesn't eliminate the suds, the control displays the Sd code. Use the right amount of high-efficiency (HE) detergent with future loads.

Possible parts
HE detergent
F74 or F99

User interface control or main electronic control board failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and replace the user interface control. If the problem continues, replace the main electronic control board.

Possible parts
User interface control, main electronic control board

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