A Kenmore 796 washer that stops mid-cycle is usually reporting an error from Kenmore's table. LE is a motor error: allow the washer to stand for 30 minutes and restart the cycle. UE means the unbalance detection stopped the spin after several attempts. PF means power was interrupted during a cycle: select any cycle to clear it. The suds error adds a Suds Reducing cycle of about two hours, and if too many suds are detected during spinning the washer stops to prevent leaking. Control errors are cleared by unplugging for 60 seconds. A water level error or a faulty valve needs the faucets closed, the washer unplugged and a service call. A paused sanitize cycle keeps the door locked until it cools.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 796-series front-load washer stops, pauses or powers off mid-cycle”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A motor error
What separates it LE shows on the display because of a motor error
How to confirm Let it stand 30 minutes and then restart the cycle
- 2
An unbalanced load
What separates it UE shows and the spin stops because the load is unbalanced
How to confirm Add items and redistribute the load, and restart
- 3
Too many suds
What separates it The suds error and a Suds Reducing cycle show because there are too many suds
How to confirm Use less HE detergent; run Rinse & Spin
- 4
A power failure
What separates it PF shows on the next start because of a power failure
How to confirm Select any cycle to clear it, and then start again
- 5
Top-loader (796.3143): START/PAUSE was pressed or the lid was opened
What separates it The washer pauses and the drain begins after several minutes
How to confirm Restart before the drain begins by closing the lid and pressing START/PAUSE
- 6
Top-loader (796.3143): a power interruption or fault
What separates it The cycle stops and does not restart when you press START
How to confirm Wait for power to return; the washer resumes where it stopped, and if an error code shows, follow it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The message that is shown on the display
- Whether it restarts after you wait a while
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRead the code
ReversibleRead the code, which may be LE, UE, PF, suds, control or level errors, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Follow its action
ReversibleFollow its action, by waiting 30 minutes for LE, adding items for UE, and selecting a cycle for PF.
Reset a control error
ReversibleReset a control error, by unplugging for 60 seconds and reconnecting, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Remove suds
ReversibleRemove suds, by turning the washer off and on, and then running Rinse and Spin.
Call for service
ReversibleCall for service, if the code returns after these steps, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Restart quickly
ReversibleIf the 796.3143 is paused or opened, press START/PAUSE again before the special drain begins. Once water starts draining the controls are disabled and the drain cannot be interrupted, and the washer then shuts off when the tub is empty.
Read the error code
ReversibleIf a code appears, note it: LE is a clutch error that needs 30 minutes, and other codes call for closing the faucets, unplugging the washer for 60 seconds and reconnecting power before trying again. If the error returns, call service.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Error-monitoring system
- Kenmore says the washer has an automatic error-monitoring system to detect and diagnose problems early, and its troubleshooting table lists the display, the cause and the remedy for each: a water level too high due to a faulty valve, a water level sensor not working correctly, a motor error, a power failure, suds, a dry heating error and a control error. Match the display to the row before reaching for a repair.
- After a stop
- After a stop, select any cycle to clear PF, unplug for 60 seconds for control or dry heating errors, wait 30 minutes for LE, and for suds turn the washer off and on and run Rinse & Spin. If the same error returns the table's last step is always to call for service, and you should give the model number, the serial number and the code.
- Shut-off behavior
- If START/PAUSE is not pressed within four minutes after selecting a cycle, the control shuts off and all settings are lost. A cycle stopped by a power loss resumes where it stopped. An error code paired with water in the tub still drains the tub after several minutes.
- Parts for this problem on the FRONT (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- door lock assembly, part number EBF61315802, at $135.40; water level pressure switch with tube, part number 6501EA1001R, at $64.94; 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 LE persists after 30 minutes, call Kenmore Customer Care on 1-844-553-6667
- !If a control error reappears after a 60 second unplug, call service
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
Why did my Kenmore Elite stop?+
An error such as LE, UE or PF, or a suds condition.
What does LE mean?+
A motor error; let the washer stand 30 minutes.
Will it resume after a power cut?+
Yes, the cycle resumes where it stopped when power returns.
What if the water level sensor fails?+
Close the faucets, unplug the washer and call service.