Kenmore's troubleshooting table lists four places a Kenmore 796 washer leaks around the washer: the inlet hose connection is loose at the tap or washer (check and tighten the connections and check the hoses), the house drain pipes are clogged (unclog them or contact a plumber), the drain hose has come out of the drain or is not inserted far enough (tie it to the inlet hose or standpipe, and insert it about 8 to 12 inches), and the door glass is dirty (inspect it periodically for buildup). The top-loader adds check hoses for leaks, cracks and splits, and check for water backing up out of the drain pipe during the drain. Excess suds can also push water out.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 796-series front-load washer is leaking water”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A loose inlet hose connection
What separates it Drips at the tap or the back of the washer
How to confirm Check and tighten the hose connections, and run a short cycle
- 2
Clogged house drain pipes
What separates it Water backs up at the standpipe because the house drain pipes are clogged
How to confirm Unclog the drain pipe or contact a plumber
- 3
A drain hose that came out
What separates it There is water on the floor during the drain because the drain hose came out
How to confirm Tie the hose and insert it 8 to 12 inches
- 4
A dirty door glass or seal
What separates it There is water at the front around the door because the door glass or seal is dirty
How to confirm Clean the glass and the seal, and dry them
- 5
Top-loader (796.3143): a loose inlet hose connection
What separates it Water drips at the back of the washer at the faucet or the inlet valve
How to confirm Check and tighten the hose connections and look for cracks or splits in the hoses
- 6
Top-loader (796.3143): the drain hose has come out of the standpipe
What separates it Water spills on the floor during the drain phase
How to confirm Tie the drain hose to the inlet hose or standpipe and insert it as far as the hose flange or 1 to 2 inches past it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where the water first appears, at the hose, door or drain
- Whether it appears during fill, wash or drain
- The age and brand of the hoses
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCheck the inlet hoses
ReversibleCheck the inlet hoses, which should be tight at the tap and the washer, and look for cracks and splits.
Check the house drain
ReversibleCheck the house drain, and watch for water backing up out of the drain pipe.
Clean the door glass and seal
ReversibleClean the door glass and the seal, and remove the residue, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Cut the suds
ReversibleCut the suds, by using only HE detergent in the right amount, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the hoses
ReversibleLook at both inlet hoses and the drain hose for cracks, splits and loose fittings, and tighten the connections at the faucet and the washer. Kenmore says to use only its own inlet hoses because aftermarket hoses may not tighten correctly and can leak.
Secure the drain hose
ReversibleThe 796.3143 pumps water out very fast, so the drain hose must be tied to the inlet hose or standpipe so it cannot come out. Insert it as far as the hose flange in a small drain pipe, or 1 to 2 inches past the flange in a larger one.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Inlet filters
- If the washer does not fill properly an error message shows, and the inlet valve filter screens could be plugged by hard water scale or sediment. Kenmore says to turn off both faucets, unscrew the hot and cold hoses, carefully remove the filters and soak them in white vinegar or a lime scale remover, rinse thoroughly, press them back in and flush the hoses before reattaching. Operating the washer with the filters removed could make a valve fail to open and cause flooding.
- Drain pump filter
- The drain pump filter, behind an access panel, catches lint and objects such as buttons, keys and coins. Unplug the washer and let the water cool, open the access panel, unclip the drain hose and drain it into a shallow pan, remove its plug, twist the filter counterclockwise, clean it, twist it back clockwise to secure and close the panel. A filter left loose leaks at the front bottom.
- Other causes Kenmore lists
- A large item such as a pillow or blanket sitting above the top of the tub can splash water out, house drain pipes that are clogged can back water up, and the washer needs to be level. If water comes out of the drain during draining, have a plumber check the drain pipe.
- Parts for this problem on the FRONT (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- washing machine door boot gasket with drain port, part number 4986ER0004F, at $62.60; clamp, part number ACA56078801, at $22.94; the 4681ea2001t washing machine drain pump and m, part number 4681EA2001T, at $58.42; water inlet valve assembly, part number AJU75152601, at $143.80.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the 796-series top-load washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If water comes from inside the cabinet, call Kenmore Customer Care
- !If the inlet valve or hose is cracked, replace it before running the washer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Kenmore's own manual for the 796 top-loader.
LG's own list for the maker of the 796 platform: IE inlet, OE drain, dE door, UE unbalance, LE motor rotation and PF power failure to confirm the display letters the Kenmore guide's scan could not show.
LG's own top-load list, which carries the same IE, OE, UE, dE, LE and PF letters used by the 796.3143 top-loader.
Kenmore's own manual lookup, where the model number identifies the original 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 Elite leaks come from?+
Loose inlet hoses, clogged house drains, a drain hose that came out, or a dirty door glass.
Are aftermarket hoses safe?+
Kenmore says only use new, high-quality inlet hoses; others may leak and damage is not covered.
How do I check the drain hose?+
Tie it to the inlet hose or standpipe and insert it about 8 to 12 inches.
What does a leak from the door mean?+
Check the door glass and seal for residue.
Can too much suds cause a leak?+
Yes, oversudsing from the wrong or too much detergent can cause leaks.
Can a clogged house drain cause spills?+
Yes, water can back up out of a clogged drain pipe.