Kenmore's troubleshooting table for musty or mildewy odor in a Kenmore 796 washer lists causes and fixes: the inside of the drum was not cleaned properly (run the CLEAN WASHER cycle regularly, wipe around and under the door seal frequently and clean around the door seal and glass), the washer was not unloaded promptly, incorrect or too much detergent was used (use only HE detergent), residue built up on the washer,
a foreign object is in the door gasket, the drain pump filter is clogged or the drain hose is kinked (clean the gasket and the drain pump filter regularly), and the drain hose was not installed properly, so drainage flows back into the tub. A newly installed washer may smell of the rubber on the door for the first few cycles, and a dryer heating for the first time may smell slightly.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 796-series front-load washer smells musty, sour or like mildew”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Residue and a damp drum
What separates it There is a musty or mildewy odor because of residue and a damp drum
How to confirm Run the CLEAN WASHER cycle regularly and wipe the door seal
- 2
A wet load left in the drum
What separates it There is an odor on the clothes because a wet load was left in the drum
How to confirm Unload promptly after the cycle, and do not leave wet clothes
- 3
A dirty gasket or drain pump filter
What separates it There is a persistent musty smell because of a dirty gasket or drain pump filter
How to confirm Clean the gasket and the filter regularly, and dry them
- 4
Backflow from an improperly installed drain hose
What separates it There is an odor from the tub because of backflow from an improperly installed drain hose
How to confirm Make sure the hose is not kinked or clogged and is installed correctly
- 5
Top-loader (796.3143): the tub was not cleaned regularly
What separates it A musty or mildewy smell in the empty washer
How to confirm Run the CLEAN WASHER cycle regularly and leave the lid open to air out
- 6
Top-loader (796.3143): detergent residue and dispenser buildup
What separates it The smell returns soon after cleaning and the dispenser looks grimy
How to confirm Use less HE detergent and clean the dispenser drawer and inserts once or twice a month
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where the smell is strongest, at the drum, gasket or clothes
- How often Clean Washer is run
- Whether the washer is new or old
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRun CLEAN WASHER
ReversibleRun CLEAN WASHER regularly, with the drum empty, to clear the build up, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Wipe the door seal
ReversibleWipe the door seal, by wiping around and under the seal, and the glass, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clean the drain pump filter
ReversibleClean the drain pump filter, by twisting it out, removing lint and objects, and refitting it.
Unload promptly
ReversibleUnload promptly, and do not leave damp laundry in the drum after the cycle, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use HE detergent only
ReversibleUse HE detergent only, and use it in the right amount for the load, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Run Clean Washer regularly
ReversibleKenmore's fix for a musty smell is the CLEAN WASHER cycle, run regularly with the tub empty. Wipe the outside and inside of the washer with a damp cloth and dry with a soft cloth, and unload the finished load promptly.
Clean the dispenser
ReversiblePull the drawer straight out, lift the front, remove both inserts and rinse them in warm water. Clean the recess with a small non-metal brush to remove residue from the upper and lower parts, then return the inserts to the right compartments.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Clean Washer
- Kenmore says to run the CLEAN WASHER cycle on front-load washers as part of regular care, with full instructions in the Care and Cleaning section, and on the top-loader to run it regularly for musty or mildewy odor. It also asks for detergent used according to instructions, because oversudsing residue is a common source of the smell that Clean Washer is meant to remove.
- New-washer smells
- Two harmless smells are listed in the table. As the dryer heats it may initially cause a slight odor, which is normal and does not affect performance, and a newly installed washer smells of the rubber on the door until the first couple of wash cycles have run. Neither needs a repair or a chemical clean.
- Detergent and odor
- Kenmore says using too much detergent is a common cause of laundry problems and that HE detergents are made to work without visible sudsing. Use less for soft water, small or lightly soiled loads, never more than the manufacturer's maximum, and only detergent with the HE logo.
- 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; lint filter cover *manufacture has modified the , part number MCK49049101, at $45.94; the 4681ea2001t washing machine drain pump and m, part number 4681EA2001T, at $58.42.
- 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 smell is burning or electrical, unplug the washer and call Kenmore Customer Care
- !If sewer smell comes from the drain, check the drain hose or call a plumber
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
How often should I clean my Kenmore Elite?+
Run the CLEAN WASHER cycle regularly and wipe the door seal frequently.
Why does a new washer smell?+
The smell comes from the rubber attached to the door and fades after the first cycles.
Can a drain hose cause odor?+
Yes; improper installation lets drainage flow back into the tub.
Does the gasket matter?+
Mold and foreign substances inside the gasket can cause mildew and musty smells.
What about the door?+
Clean around the door seal and glass to prevent odor.
Does too much detergent cause odor?+
Yes, oversudsing leaves residue and can cause odor.