Kenmore 796-series front-load washer troubleshooting

Published specification

What is true of this model and changes how you fix it

• Who made it — LG (prefix 796)
  A Kenmore front-loader whose model number starts with 796 is built by LG. Troubleshoot it as an LG front-loader: LG fault codes (IE fill, OE drain, dE door, UE unbalance, tE temperature), the belt-less Direct Drive motor, and LG parts.
• Type — FRONT-LOAD
  A FRONT-LOAD washer with a door gasket; gasket care governs odor and mildew.
• Codes & drain
  LG-style codes — OE means check the drain hose and pump filter, IE the water supply, dE the door not sealing. Noise is bearings/balance, not a belt (LG uses Direct Drive).
• Codes (from Sears PartsDirect)
  IE inlet water supply error, UE unbalanced load, OE drains slowly, FE water overflow, PE water level sensor failure, dE door open error, tE or TE heating sensor error, LE locked drive motor, EE EEPROM error on the main control, PF power failure and CL child lock on.
• Behavior on a fault
  Sears PartsDirect notes the washer stops and the control panel will not respond to button presses when it detects a problem or part failure, so a dead keypad with a code showing is the control holding a fault.
• What 796 means
  Kenmore's 796 prefix is the first part of the model number on several front-load washers, built by an outside maker for Kenmore. The rest of the number tells you the exact machine, so copy the entire line from the label inside the door.
• Parts and service
  Kenmore parts are sold through Sears PartsDirect and other parts sellers, and the full model number finds the right one. Use the number on the label, not the number from a receipt, since the receipt may show a product code.
• Routine care
  Run a tub clean cycle monthly, use HE detergent and wipe the gasket. If the washer offers a Wi-Fi feature, connect it through the Kenmore Smart app on a 2.4 GHz network.
• Also covered
  796-series top-load washer, codes (from Sears PartsDirect's Kenmore and Kenmore Elite 796 list): IE washer fills slowly, dE lid not closed, dL lid lock failure, FE water level too high, PE water level sensor failure, tE thermistor error, LE drive motor thermal overload tripped, uE or UE load out of balance or too small, and E6 clutch error.
• Also covered
  796-series top-load washer, what that tells you: These are two-letter LG-style codes. A washer that fills slowly (IE) points at the inlet, and E6 is specific to a top-loader's clutch.

Where these figures were read. applianceaid.com/sears-manufacturing-codes.php (Sears Appliance Manufacturing Codes — confirms '796. LG - (Washers)' live)

Manufacturer support for this product line. Kenmore — Product support. Official Kenmore manual lookup and product support entry point; model prefix identifies the original platform.

Also read for this model. Sears PartsDirect — Kenmore 796 model front-load washer error codes; Sears PartsDirect — Kenmore 796 model top-load washer error codes.