Kenmore's guide for the 110 front-loader describes Auto Water Level as adjusting to the size of the load so the washer uses the minimal amount of water needed to clean and rinse clothes, with the benefit that smaller amounts of laundry products give the same results and energy is saved. On the 110 top-loader the guide says that with the Water Level knob on Auto, the load will not be completely under water: this is normal for a high-efficiency washer, and it says not to add water, since added water lifts items off the wash plate. Use the Bulky Bedding or Jeans Towels cycle for a higher water fill, or set the knob to Deep Fill, and run Clean Washer to optimize the water level after soil build-up.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 110-series front-load washer uses very little water or the water level looks wrong”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Normal low-water design
What separates it The drum or tub looks under filled because of the normal low water design
How to confirm No action is needed, since this is the normal level
- 2
Auto setting on the top-loader
What separates it The load is not completely under water because of the Auto setting on the top loader
How to confirm Set the Water Level knob to Deep Fill or use Bulky Bedding or Jeans Towels
- 3
Soil build-up
What separates it The water level seems lower than when new because of soil build up
How to confirm Run Clean Washer, to clear the build up
- 4
A supply problem
What separates it F8 E1 shows or the wash light stays on because of a supply problem
How to confirm Check the faucets, the hoses and the screens, and clear any restriction
- 5
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): a high-efficiency washer's normal water level
What separates it The load is not completely covered by water in the tub
How to confirm Recognize this as normal operation with the Water Level knob on Auto
- 6
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): a bulky load that needs more water
What separates it Large items such as bedding stay dry above the water line in the tub
How to confirm Use the Bulky Bedding or Jeans Towels cycle, or set the Water Level knob to Deep Fill
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The setting of the Water Level knob
- The cycle that you used for the wash
- Whether a code showed on the display
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedAccept the low level
ReversibleAccept the low level, since it is a high efficiency design, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use Deep Fill or a bulky cycle
ReversibleUse Deep Fill or a bulky cycle, on the top loader, for a higher water fill.
Do not add water
ReversibleDo not add water, since it lifts items off the wash plate, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Run Clean Washer, to clear the build up
ReversibleRun Clean Washer, to optimize the level that the washer senses, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the supply
ReversibleCheck the supply, if a fill error shows on the display, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Understand Auto
ReversibleKenmore says a load not completely covered in water is normal operation for a high-efficiency washer. With the Water Level knob on Auto the load will not be completely under water because the washer senses load size and adds the correct amount for optimal cleaning.
Add water only when needed
ReversibleFor a higher water fill use the Bulky Bedding or Jeans Towels cycle, or set the Water Level knob to Deep Fill. Run the Clean Washer cycle if soil buildup in the basket is affecting the water level and wash performance.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Larger loads and fewer loads
- Kenmore notes that, with no agitator, the front-loader can wash larger, bulkier items such as sleeping bags, pillows and king-size comforters and more clothes at once, meaning fewer loads. The same low-water design explains why the drum seems dry: water is used only in the quantity the load needs, and detergent doses can be smaller.
- Spin speeds
- The front-loader selects a spin speed automatically by cycle, which can be changed with up to six spin speed choices, and Dynamic Balance allows up to 1,050 rpm. A load that looks wet or under-watered is often a spin choice, not a fill fault; choose a higher spin speed or Drain/Spin.
- Water level knob
- Auto lets the washer sense load size and type; Deep Fill fills to the maximum water level and lengthens the cycle. Kenmore also says the wash and rinse temperatures are cooler than a traditional top-loader, which is part of the energy-saving design.
- 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 F8 E1 returns after the supply checks, call Kenmore on 1-800-4-MY-HOME
- !If the washer never fills, follow the fill page
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 there so little water in my Kenmore 110 washer?+
It is high-efficiency and uses only what the load needs.
What is Auto Water Level?+
A front-loader feature that adjusts water to the load.
Which cycles fill more?+
Bulky Bedding and Jeans Towels on the top-loader.
Does Clean Washer help?+
It optimizes the water level after soil build-up.
Is a partly dry load normal?+
Yes, on Auto the load is not fully under water.
How do I fill the tub more?+
Set the Water Level knob to Deep Fill.