For a leak from a Kenmore 110 washer, Kenmore's top-loader troubleshooting lists the causes: the washer is not level (water may splash off the basket), fill hoses are not attached tightly (tighten the connections), the fill hose washers are not properly seated (make sure all four are seated), the drain hose connection (pull the drain hose from the cabinet and secure it to the drainpipe or laundry tub), household plumbing (check for leaks or a clogged sink or drain, since water can back up), and an improperly loaded washer (unbalanced loading can put the basket out of alignment and make water splash off the tub). For the front-loader, Whirlpool's own guidance for the builder adds a cracked inlet valve and suds leaking from the rear vent.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 110-series front-load washer is leaking water”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Loose fill hoses or unseated washers
What separates it There are drips at the back at the hose ends because the fill hoses are loose or the washers are unseated
How to confirm Tighten the connections and seat all four fill hose washers
- 2
A drain hose not secured
What separates it There is water at the standpipe or the floor because the drain hose is not secured
How to confirm Secure it to the drainpipe or laundry tub
- 3
An unlevel washer or a badly loaded basket
What separates it Water splashes off the tub because the washer is unlevel or the basket is badly loaded
How to confirm Level the washer and load it correctly, and run a short cycle
- 4
Suds from non-HE detergent
What separates it Suds come from the rear vent because of non HE detergent
How to confirm Use only HE detergent, and measure it for the load
- 5
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): a loose inlet hose or fill hose washer
What separates it Water drips at the faucet connections or the rear of the washer
How to confirm Tighten the fill hose connections and make sure all four fill hose washers are properly seated
- 6
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): the drain hose is not secured
What separates it Water spills or backs up out of the standpipe or laundry tub during the drain
How to confirm Pull the drain hose from the cabinet and secure it to the drain pipe or laundry tub
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where the water first appears, at the hose, drawer or drain
- Whether the water is soapy or clear
- Whether the washer is level on the floor
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the fill hoses
ReversibleCheck the fill hoses, which must be tight with all four fill hose washers seated.
Check the drain hose
ReversibleCheck the drain hose, which must be secured to the drainpipe or tub, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the household drain
ReversibleCheck the household drain, and look for leaks or clogs, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Level and load
ReversibleLevel and load, by leveling the washer and loading it evenly, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use HE detergent
ReversibleUse HE detergent, and use it in the right amount for the load, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the fill hoses
ReversibleKenmore lists the causes as the washer not level, fill hoses not attached tightly, the fill hose washers, and the drain hose connection. Tighten the fill hose connections and make sure all four fill hose washers at the washer and faucet are seated.
Check the drain
ReversiblePull the drain hose out of the washer cabinet and secure it to the drain pipe or laundry tub. Water can back up out of a clogged sink or drain pipe, so check household plumbing for leaks and clogs, and confirm the washer is loaded as recommended.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Warranty in the front-loader guide
- Kenmore's guide for the 110 front-loader gives a one-year warranty with free repair for defects in material or workmanship, a lifetime warranty on the stainless steel drum, ten years on the plastic tub, five years on the drive pulley and drive belt and two years on the Sensor Smart electronic board, with labor at the customer's cost after the first year. It does not cover a technician to instruct on use, to clean or maintain the washer, or damage from detergents other than those recommended.
- Hose notes
- Replace fill hoses that show cracks, blisters or wear, and always with hoses in good condition. The front-loader's inlet screens sit at the back of the water inlet valve, and Whirlpool's articles for the builder say to clean them with a brush and mild soap without removing the screens. A spray at the back while filling is a valve or hose fault, not a seal fault.
- Where leaks show up
- A leak at the back while filling is usually a hose or inlet valve; a leak while draining is the drain hose or house drain; a leak at the front of the front-loader is the door seal or suds; and water on the floor only after a heavy load on the top-loader is often an unlevel washer splashing over the tub edge. Noting the stage of the cycle when the first drop appears saves a lot of guessing.
- Front-loader guide: water near the washer
- Kenmore's own 110.4996x guide says that water found near the washer should be traced by checking the household plumbing for leaks. It says to replace the water inlet hoses after 5 years, to inspect them periodically and replace them if you find bulges, kinks, cuts, wear or leaks, and to record the date of replacement. Shutting off the water supply when you are away avoids flooding from a pressure surge.
- Splash and level notes
- Water may splash off the basket if the washer is not level, and an unbalanced load can push the basket out of alignment and splash water off the tub. Level the washer with its feet firmly on the floor and load items in loose heaps around the basket wall.
- Parts for this problem on the FRONT (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- gasket, part number 450485-00, at $5.10.
- 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 water comes from under the tub or inside the cabinet, call Kenmore on 1-800-4-MY-HOME
- !If the inlet valve is cracked, unplug and call service
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.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
Where do Kenmore 110 leaks come from?+
Fill hoses, the drain hose, household plumbing, an unlevel washer or suds.
How many fill hose washers are there?+
Four; all four must be properly seated.
Can a badly loaded washer leak?+
Yes; unbalanced loading can put the basket out of alignment.
Should I tighten hard?+
No, do not tighten hard, since you should not over tighten the hoses.
Can an unbalanced load cause splashing?+
Yes, unbalanced loading can splash water off the tub.
Can a clogged sink cause the washer to leak?+
Yes, water can back up out of a clogged drain pipe.