The Kenmore 110 front-loader has the Detergent Advantage System dispenser. Kenmore's guide describes a drawer with compartments for main wash detergent, chlorine bleach and fabric softener and a detergent type selector that must always be set to the type used, powder or liquid. TIMED BLEACH release adds the bleach after the enzymes have had a chance to clean, and softener is dispensed in the rinse. Do not put laundry products directly into the wash tub, and it is normal for small amounts of water to remain in the dispensers when the cycle is complete.
If you use Delay, use only powdered detergent in the main wash compartment, since liquid can seep out before the wash. On the top-loader a single-dose laundry packet goes in the basket before the clothes, never in the dispenser.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 110-series front-load washer does not dispense detergent”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The detergent type selector in the wrong position
What separates it The detergent does not flush properly because the detergent type selector is in the wrong position
How to confirm Slide the selector to the type of detergent in use
- 2
Liquid detergent with Delay
What separates it The detergent seeps out before the wash because liquid detergent is used with Delay
How to confirm Use powdered detergent in the main wash compartment with Delay
- 3
Residue in the tray
What separates it The dispenser is blocked because of residue in the tray
How to confirm Remove the tray and clean it; it comes out easily
- 4
A packet placed in the dispenser (top-loader)
What separates it The packet does not dissolve because a packet was placed in the dispenser on a top loader
How to confirm Add the packet to the basket before the clothes
- 5
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): the fabric softener option was not selected
What separates it Fabric softener is not dispensed or is dispensed too early
How to confirm Select an option that includes fabric softener and set the Fabric Softener knob to Yes
- 6
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): a clogged dispenser or too much product
What separates it Detergent or bleach dispensing seems incomplete and residue is left in the dispenser
How to confirm Clean the dispenser and load products before starting a cycle without overfilling
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which compartment and which product you used
- Whether Delay was used for the cycle
- Where the detergent type selector sits
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedPull the drawer
ReversiblePull the drawer, and open it and check the detergent type selector, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Load products in the right compartments
ReversibleLoad products in the right compartments, with the detergent, bleach and softener each in their own.
Close it slowly
ReversibleClose it slowly, to avoid spills at the front of the washer, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clean the tray
ReversibleClean the tray, since the Detergent Advantage System tray can easily be removed for cleaning.
Use powder with Delay
ReversibleUse powder with Delay, since liquid can seep out before the wash begins, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Load the dispensers before starting
ReversibleKenmore says to load the dispensers before starting a cycle, avoid overfilling them, and use only liquid chlorine bleach in the bleach dispenser and only fabric softener in the fabric softener dispenser. Never pour bleach directly onto the load.
Select the softener option
ReversibleOn this 110-series top-loader set the Fabric Softener knob to Yes when using the fabric softener dispenser, or choose the rinse option that includes fabric softener so it is added at the correct time in the rinse.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Detergent Advantage System
- Kenmore says the four-compartment Detergent Advantage System dispenser allows all laundry products to be loaded before the washer starts, and dispenses them at the optimal time: detergent at the start, bleach after the enzymes have worked and softener in the rinse. The Catalyst Cleaning Action sprays a concentrated detergent solution onto the clothes at the beginning of the cycle so it contacts them quickly and helps remove stains without pretreating.
- Choosing detergent
- Use only high-efficiency detergent marked HE. The washer's system, with less water, creates too much sudsing with regular detergent, which will likely result in washer errors, longer cycle times, reduced rinsing, component failures and noticeable mold or mildew. Liquid or powdered color-safe bleach may be added to the main wash compartment with the same type of detergent.
- Front-loader guide: dispenser checks
- Kenmore's own 110.4996x guide asks whether each product is in the right compartment: detergent, fabric softener and liquid chlorine bleach each have their own, and powdered or liquid color-safe bleach goes in the main wash compartment, matched to a powdered or liquid detergent. The detergent type separator is lowered for liquid detergent and raised for powdered. Dispensing balls do not work with this washer, so liquid fabric softener goes in the softener compartment. The drawer releases with the Release Lever and its siphon and selector inserts can be washed under running water.
- Dispenser rules
- The bleach dispenser takes only liquid chlorine bleach, no more than one cup. Do not place load items over the bleach dispenser when loading and unloading. If a single-dose packet does not dissolve, make sure it was placed in the basket before the clothes and the lid was closed when the cycle began.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the 110-series top-load washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If detergent does not dispense after cleaning, call Kenmore on 1-800-4-MY-HOME
- !If the drawer is cracked, stop using it
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
How do I use the Kenmore 110 front-loader dispenser?+
Load detergent, bleach and softener into their compartments, set the detergent type selector and close the drawer slowly.
Why powder with Delay?+
Liquid detergents may seep out of the main wash compartment before the wash cycle begins.
What is TIMED BLEACH release?+
It adds the bleach after the detergent's enzymes have had a chance to clean.
Can I put laundry products in the tub?+
No; always use the dispensers on the front-loader.
Where does a single-dose packet go?+
On the top-loader, in the basket before the clothes.
Is water left in the dispenser normal?+
Yes, water left in the dispenser is normal.
Where do I put single-dose laundry packets?+
In the basket before the clothes, not in the dispenser.
Can I put liquid chlorine bleach directly on clothes?+
No, undiluted bleach can damage fabrics.