The Kenmore washer is one of the most reliable washers on the market; however, any washer can face some errors over time. The errors appear as two-letter codes on the digital screen of the washer.
I understand how it can be frustrating when you face an error and don’t know what it means or what caused it, especially if you are in the mid of your laundry. In addition, the hassle of calling a technician and pausing your laundry until the error is fixed can also be exhausting.
Therefore, in this article, I will discuss the causes of the Kenmore washer LE code and what it means. Moreover, I will explain how to solve each cause and prevent and avoid it in the future.
Causes of Kenmore Washer LE Code
Let’s start with the meaning of the LE error code; it means that the washing machine will either function at a low speed or not function at all due to the locking of the drive motor. So, if you try to power your washer and run it, it will rotate slowly or not at all.
When the washer displays this error, it will not be able to rotate at its average speed, and there are several causes for this issue—for example, an overloaded washer, too much detergent, drive motor failure, and more. I will guide you through the necessary troubleshooting to determine the actual cause.
1- Overloaded Washer
Overloading the washer can be the reason for the LE error code; every washer has a specific capacity, and exceeding this capacity will put too much pressure on the washer. Increased pressure on your washer can lead to failure and damage.
Therefore, the washing machine alerts you by displaying the LE code, which is why your front load washer cannot rotate or rotate slowly. The laundry is too much for the appliance to handle in one cycle.
You can know your washer capacity or size through the model of your Kenmore washer; if you search the model, you will know the limits of the washer.
2- Too Much Detergent
Using too much detergent doesn’t mean you will have a cleaner laundry; on the contrary, too much detergent will affect your washer efficiency. If you overuse the detergent, it will create too many soap suds.
The soap suds can cause many errors, including the LE error code. The suds prevents the washer from draining properly, so the washer displays the LE code to alert you to the issue. You can tell you have used too much detergent by the amount of soap suds in your washer drum.
3- Blocked Drive System
If you have checked the amount of laundry and detergent and ensured your machine is not overloaded or has too many soap suds. Then, the next thing to check is the drive system. If there is a blockage in your washer’s drive system, it can also cause the LE code to appear.
The blockage can be water in the washer or the drain hose that has not been drained successfully. Therefore, you must check for any remaining water in the washer or drain hose.
Also, the blockage can result from an object resisting the rotation of the drum. So, you must check between the outer drum and the spin basket to ensure nothing affects its rotation.
The last thing to check for in your drive system is the spin bearing; it’s responsible for the rotation of your washer. Therefore, you will need to ensure it’s not damaged; you can know this by manually rotating your washer’s drum.
If the washer’s drum doesn’t rotate smoothly and nothing is blocking its way, the spin bearing is probably damaged. Unfortunately, in this case, you will need to hire a technician to dismantle the whole appliance to fix the problem.
4- Faulty Drive Mechanism
The drive motor, known as the drive mechanism, is essential for the rotation of your washer. The mechanism consists of rotating the agitator, which results in the items spinning inside the washer’s drum.
However, the drive mechanism depends on something other than the drive motor; the drive mechanism can be faulty due to a faulty drive motor, Rotor, or hall sensor. Therefore, you must check all the mentioned parts to ensure the drive mechanism is good.
5- Drive Motor Failure
If none of the previous appears to be the cause of the LE code, you will now have to check the parts of your washer to ensure there is no damage to them.
The first thing to check is the drive motor, specifically the Rotor. You will need to ensure the two magnets of the Rotor are not damaged. If the magnets are damaged, you will need to replace them. If the magnets are not damaged, you must check the rotor motor (position) sensor because it might be the problem.
6- Defective Rotor
The Rotor is the next part of the drive mechanism; you must check it to ensure it has no damage. The Rotor is a coil responsible for the rotational mechanical energy of the drive motor. The high-speed rotation of the Rotor provides the energy.
The stator receives the electric current from the Rotor and the conductors, and the electric current is used to form the magnetic field at the stator. So, if the Rotor is faulty, it will affect the whole drive motor and drive mechanism.
7- Defective Hall Sensor (Rotor Motor Sensor)
The hall sensor is the last part of the drive motor or the drive mechanism; it determines the speed of the Rotor’s rotation through an electric current. Then, the control board receives the signal; if the hall sensor is defective, it will cause the LE error code.
You will need to check the hall sensor to ensure it has no damage; you can access the hall sensor at the motor’s rear side, and the motor is connected to the stator.
How to Fix Kenmore Washer LE Code?
After discussing the causes of the Kenmore washer LE code, like an overloaded washer, too much detergent, or motor drive failure, I will explain how to solve each cause in detail.
1- Reset the Washer
The LE code might result from an electronic glitch, so resetting your washer before beginning is considered a good idea. You can reset your Kenmore washer by powering it off and then unplugging it from the electrical outlet.
Let the washer rest for five to ten seconds, then plug it in again and power it on to see if the code has disappeared. If the code is still there, you must proceed with the next fixing steps.
2- How to Fix an Overloaded Washer?
The first step is to know your washer’s capacity to fix the problem after determining your washer capacity. You will need to pause your machine and open the door to check the items in your drum.
Ensure the drum is not overloaded to decrease the pressure on your washer and let it rotate at its average speed. After removing the items overloading your washer, rerun your wash cycle to ensure your washing machine runs smoothly.
3- How to Fix Too Much Detergent?
If you checked your drum and found that there are too many soap suds, you will need to stop your washer for about 30 minutes to let the soap suds level go down. The next step is to add an amount of liquid fabric softener to the washer.
Then. Run a Drain/Spin cycle to make the liquid fabric softener drain down the excess suds. When you continue your washing cycle, don’t add more detergent to the laundry load; continue your laundry without adding another detergent.
4- How to Fix a Blocked Drive System?
If water remains in your washer, it can block the drive system, so you must drain it by running a Drain/Spin cycle. Start by removing your laundry from the washing machine. Then, start a Drain/Spin cycle but choose the “No Spin” option.
The cycle should drain all the water in your washing machine after some minutes; however, if the water is not drained completely, you must drain it manually. For this step, you will need a wet/dry vacuum; use the vacuum to suck the water out of your washing machine through the drain hose.
If there is no water remaining in your washing machine and yet there is a blockage in the drive system. Then, you will need to check between the outer tub and the spin basket, especially if you feel resistance when you manually spin the drum.
Remove any object between the spin basket and the outer tub to ensure the drum’s smooth rotation. If you find nothing between them, the problem might be that the spin bearing is damaged. Therefore, you will need to hire a technician to replace the spin bearing for you because it requires dismantling the whole appliance.
5- Drive Motor Failure
If none of the mentioned causes applies to your washer, then, unfortunately, it might be a damaged part of your drive motor. So, you will need to follow the following steps to check your drive motor for any damage:
- Power off your washing machine, and unplug it from the electrical outlet for more safety.
- Remove the back and top panels of your machine.
- Locate the Rotor mounting bolt inside your washer or use the user manual.
- Take out the Rotor.
- Check the magnets inside the edge of the Rotor for damage.
- Damaged magnets need to be replaced.
- Check the electronic control board wiring.
- Inspect the wire harness connection.
- Replace the wire harness connection if it’s damaged.
- Tighten any loose wires, and replace any broken wires.
- Place the Rotor back.
- Install the back and top panels.
- Plug in your front load washer and power it on.
- Check if the error is fixed.
If you found that the error is not fixed, your wiring is in good condition, and you have replaced any damaged parts. The issue might result from a faulty rotor motor sensor.
You will need to replace the motor sensor, this step requires technical experience, so if you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, you can hire a technician to repair it.
6- How to Fix a Defective Rotor?
If the drive motor is in good condition, you must check the Rotor to determine if it’s faulty. You can check your Rotor through the following steps:
- Power off your washing machine, and unplug it from the electrical outlet for more safety.
- Remove the back panel of your machine.
- Locate the Rotor inside your machine.
- Rotate in a clockwise direction using a socket wrench.
- Take out the Rotor.
- If the Rotor is damaged, replace it.
- Place the new Rotor.
- Secure it using a socket wrench.
- Install the back panel.
- Plug in your front load washer and power it on.
- Check if the error is fixed.
7- How to Fix a Defective Hall Sensor (Rotor Motor Sensor)?
If the drive motor and the Rotor are intact, you must check the hall sensor to determine if it’s faulty. You can check your hall sensor through the following steps:
- Power off your washing machine, and unplug it from the electrical outlet for more safety.
- Remove the back panel of your machine.
- Locate the Rotor inside your machine.
- Rotate in a clockwise direction using a socket wrench.
- Take out the Rotor.
- The stator is now accessible.
- Remove the screws of the stator.
- Gently pull out the stator.
- Check the hall stator attached to the stator.
- If the hall stator is damaged, replace it.
- Connect the new hall stator and place it back.
- Install the back panel.
- Plug in your front load washer and power it on.
- Check if the error is fixed.
Preventing Kenmore Washer LE Code
After discussing the causes of the Kenmore washer LE code and how to fix each cause, I will help you avoid and prevent the LE code in the future.
1- Don’t Overload the Washer
Ensure the current load is suitable to your washer’s load size. Avoiding overloading your washer will make you avoid the LE error code. This can be done by knowing the capacity of your washer by searching its model. and ensuring you always put items under the limits of your front-load washer.
2- Use the Right Amount of Detergent
The amount of detergent can affect the efficiency and functionality of your washer. Therefore, ensure you don’t overuse laundry detergent and use a suitable amount.
Using too much detergent doesn’t mean better laundry; on the contrary, it will create excess suds and force your washing machine to stop or take too long to drain.
3- Check Your Laundry
The pockets on your clothing can contain a foreign or solid object; the object can end between the spin basket and the outer drum. As a result, the drive system will be blocked, and the washer will not be able to rotate smoothly or at all. Therefore, check your laundry before putting it inside your washer.
4- Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is beneficial for any electronic or electrical device. It ensures no faulty parts like the control board. Also, checking the wiring of your appliance will ensure that there are no loose or broken wires.
It’s recommended that you perform maintenance on your washing machine at least once a year. Your machine’s continuous rotation and spinning can loosen the wiring over time and slow the machine’s speed.
Conclusion
Error codes can be a frustrating experience, especially if you don’t know what they mean or what caused them. Kenmore washer LE code means that the washer is running at a lower speed than its normal one.
The LE code can result from several things, as I have mentioned in this article, for example, an overloaded washer, too much detergent, a drive motor, or failure. All of the causes can be fixed, which means you need to get rid of the thought of buying a new washer.
Most causes can be fixed without hiring a technician or buying any parts. You will just need to follow the mentioned steps and have some patience.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
