Kenmore's 110 front-loader is a high-efficiency washer that heats and senses, and a long cycle usually has a reason in its guide. The Thermal Optimizer with Smart Wash Technology heats the wash water to the preset temperature for Heavy Duty, Whitest Whites and Sanitary cycles, and on Sanitary the Stepped Cleaning starts with warm water to remove stains such as blood or grass. The Delay option adds a countdown first. Options such as Prewash, Soak, Extended Spin and Rinse add stages. Whirlpool's own troubleshooting for its front-loaders adds that the time remaining is an estimate based on load, cycle, options, water temperature and pressure and unbalance detection, and that suds add rinses.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 110-series front-load washer cycle takes too long or keeps adding time”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The heated cycles
What separates it Heavy Duty, Whitest Whites or Sanitary take longer while water heats
How to confirm Run the hot tap at a sink for a moment first; use a cooler cycle if not needed
- 2
Delay start or extra options
What separates it There is a countdown before the wash or added stages because of Delay start or extra options
How to confirm Check Delay and the options on the display, and cancel any you do not need
- 3
Suds
What separates it The washer adds rinses because of suds in the drum
How to confirm Use only HE detergent, and measure it for the load
- 4
An unbalanced load
What separates it There are repeated spin attempts because the load is unbalanced
How to confirm Add items and rebalance the load, and run the spin again
- 5
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): the Deep Fill setting is on
What separates it Cycles take longer because the tub fills to its maximum water level
How to confirm Set the Water Level knob back to Auto unless the load really needs Deep Fill
- 6
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): load sensing at the start of the cycle
What separates it Nothing seems to happen for several minutes after pressing START
How to confirm Wait through the sensing spins and fill; Kenmore says this is normal
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The cycle, options and Delay chosen
- Which stage of the cycle was long
- Whether suds showed on the display
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRead the display
ReversibleRead the display, since the estimated time remaining is an estimate, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the cycle
ReversibleCheck the cycle, since Heavy Duty, Whitest Whites and Sanitary heat the water, and Sanitary starts with Stepped Cleaning.
Check the options
ReversibleCheck the options, since Delay, Prewash, Soak and Extended Spin lengthen the program, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use HE detergent
ReversibleUse HE detergent, since regular detergent leads to washer errors, longer cycle times and reduced rinsing.
Balance the load
ReversibleBalance the load, by adding one or two similar items to a small load, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use the Auto water level
ReversibleKenmore says the Deep Fill setting makes the washer fill to the maximum level and you should expect longer cycles because of the extended fill time. Set the Water Level knob to Auto so the washer senses the load and adds the right amount.
Expect the sensing phase
ReversibleWhen START is pressed with the knob on Auto the washer fills and begins sensing to determine load size and balance. Sensing and wash phases pause if the unlocked lid is opened, and a lid left open for more than 10 minutes cancels the cycle.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Dynamic Balance
- Kenmore's Dynamic Balance system is a precision balancing system that lets the washer reach spin speeds up to 1,050 rpm and, if it detects an off-balance load during spinning, redistributes the clothes so they are evenly balanced. That redistribution takes time, which is why a load with one heavy item takes longer than a mixed one. The suspension combines 2 springs and 4 shock absorbers to reduce walk and off-balance.
- Top-loader time notes
- On the 110 top-loader the Deep Fill setting of the Water Level knob and the Bulky Bedding cycle add fill time, and the washer performs sensing spins at the start that add a short delay. The time displayed is an estimate that depends on the load, water temperature and pressure, and suds add rinses, exactly as with the front-loader.
- Front-loader guide: why a cycle runs long
- Kenmore's own 110.4996x guide gives five reasons a cycle runs long: the Sanitary cycle, where the heater is used and extra time is added that depends on load size and the hot-water inlet temperature; SUD in the display, meaning a suds routine has been added; an imbalance routine that redistributes the load and can make the displayed time pause; a large load in the Express cycle, which is designed for two or three lightly soiled items; and a large load in a gentle or Handwash/Delicate cycle, which should use small loads.
- Cycle timing notes
- The Bulky Bedding and Heavy Duty cycles add water or alternating wash action, so they run longer than Normal. The washer may pause during certain phases and the pauses are normal; interrupting the cycle to add items can restart the sensing.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the cycle keeps running long with HE detergent and a balanced load, call Kenmore on 1-800-4-MY-HOME
- !If a code such as F8 E1 or F9 E1 shows, follow the code pages
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Kenmore's own guide for the 110 front-loader in full: the pages that carry the troubleshooting, care and cleaning sections are images, so they were read by text recognition and checked against the printed page.
Whirlpool's own table of front-load washer codes, used for the builder's front-load platform.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my Kenmore 110 wash so long?+
Heated cycles, options, suds or an unbalanced load.
What is Stepped Cleaning?+
On the Sanitary cycle the wash starts with warm water to remove stains such as blood or grass before heating.
What is the Thermal Optimizer?+
The heating system that brings wash water to the preset temperature on Heavy Duty, Whitest Whites and Sanitary.
Does non-HE detergent lengthen the cycle?+
Kenmore says it will likely result in washer errors, longer cycle times and reduced rinsing.
What is the Add Clothes window?+
An 8 minute period when other garments can be added to a load.
Does Deep Fill lengthen the cycle?+
Yes, the extra fill time makes the cycle longer.
What happens if I leave the lid open?+
After 10 minutes the washer cancels and pumps the water out.