If water in a Kenmore 796 front-loader drains slowly or not at all, Kenmore's table lists three causes: the drain hose is kinked, pinched or clogged (make sure it is free of clogs and kinks and is not pinched behind or under the washer), the drain pump filter is clogged (clean it), and the drain discharge is more than 96 inches (244 cm) above the bottom of the washer (adjust or repair the drain). The display shows the OE drain error when draining fails. To clean the pump filter: unplug the washer and let the water cool, open the access panel, unclip the drain hose and drain into a shallow pan, remove the plug and let it drain fully, twist the pump filter counterclockwise, remove lint and objects, twist it back and close the panel.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 796-series front-load washer will not drain or stops with water inside”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A clogged drain pump filter
What separates it OE shows and there is standing water because the drain pump filter is clogged
How to confirm Clean the pump filter, and then run a drain and spin
- 2
A kinked, pinched or clogged drain hose
What separates it The draining is slow because the drain hose is kinked, pinched or clogged
How to confirm Straighten and clear the hose, and then run a drain
- 3
A drain higher than 96 inches
What separates it The water does not leave because the drain is higher than 96 inches
How to confirm Adjust or repair the drain, so that it is within the limit
- 4
A blocked house drain
What separates it The water backs up at the standpipe because the house drain is blocked
How to confirm Unclog the drain, or call a plumber for help
- 5
Top-loader (796.3143): a kinked or over-high drain hose
What separates it Water remains in the tub after the cycle and the load is soaking
How to confirm Straighten the hose and check its installation height against the installation instructions
- 6
Top-loader (796.3143): suds or a blocked drain slowing the pump
What separates it The washer drains slowly or stops draining and spinning
How to confirm Use less HE detergent, and check the tub and drain filter for foreign objects
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether OE shows on the display
- How much water is left in the drum
- The height of the drain above the floor
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedUnplug and cool
ReversibleUnplug and cool, and let the hot water cool before you work on the washer.
Open the access panel
ReversibleOpen the access panel, which is the drain pump filter panel at the front bottom.
Drain the water
ReversibleUnclip the hose, put its end in a shallow pan or floor drain and remove the plug.
Clean the filter
ReversibleClean the filter, by twisting it counterclockwise, removing lint and objects, refitting it clockwise and closing the panel.
Check the hose and drain height
ReversibleCheck the hose and the drain height, which must be free of kinks and no more than 96 inches.
Check the hose and drain
ReversibleMake sure the drain hose is not kinked and is installed at the height and length in the installation instructions. Water pumped out quickly can back up out of a clogged standpipe, so check for restrictions in the house drain.
Drain and reset
ReversibleKenmore says a paused washer with water in the tub drains after several minutes automatically. To drain a stuck load, turn the washer off and on, then select Rinse & Spin (spin speed cannot be No Spin) and press START/PAUSE.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Draining after a power press
- To drain water when the door will not unlock because the water level is too high, press POWER, then press the SPIN SPEED button without selecting a cycle. This expels the water and lets the door unlock. It is also the step Kenmore gives for removing antifreeze in storage. It is worth trying before opening the drain pump filter.
- Odor from drains
- If the drain hose is not installed properly odor may be emitted because of backflow of drainage into the tub; make sure the hose is not kinked or clogged. Foreign substances on the drain pump filter may also produce mildew or musty smells, so clean the filter regularly, not only when the washer stops draining.
- Drain-related sounds
- Humming or gurgling is the drain pump moving water at times during a cycle, which is normal on the 796.3143. If the pump seems to run but water stays, foreign objects in the pump or between the wash plate and inner basket are the usual cause, so stop the washer and check the drain filter.
- Parts for this problem on the FRONT (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- the 4681ea2001t washing machine drain pump and m, part number 4681EA2001T, at $58.42; filter assembly, lint, part number ADQ56656403, at $55.29.
- 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 the drain pump filter and hose are clear and OE returns, call Kenmore Customer Care on 1-844-553-6667
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
What does OE mean on a Kenmore Elite?+
The washer is not draining properly; check the drain hose and pump filter.
What does the filter catch?+
Lint and foreign objects like buttons, keys and coins.
How high can the drain be?+
96 inches (244 cm) above the bottom of the washer.
Can I remove water from the drum?+
Drain through the drain hose into a shallow pan; empty it as needed.
Will the washer drain if I pause it?+
Yes, after several minutes it drains as a safety feature.
Can suds stop the drain?+
Yes, too much detergent creates suds that slow or stop draining.