Kenmore washer won’t fill with water: Common causes & fixes

Are you ready to become a washer whisperer? If your Kenmore washer needs some coaxing to fill up with water, we’ve got all the steps you need to repair it right here. Before you know it, you’ll hear the sound of water filling the tub again.

There are a few things that could prevent a Kenmore washer from filling with water. After accessing the interior parts, you can test the pressure switch, temperature control switch and water valves to see which one is the culprit.

If you need any replacement parts for your Kenmore washer, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Disclaimer: The troubleshooting information provided in this article is based on general service manuals and may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

What you need

• Multimeter
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Putty knife

Disclaimer: The specific tools required may vary depending on the model of your appliance and the type of fasteners used on it. Always consult the user manual or refer to any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for the recommended tools for your appliance model.

Safety tips

Your safety should always be the top priority when performing any appliance repair.

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of electric shock.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.

Troubleshooting instructions

Step 1 – Access the parts

You’ll need to use a putty knife to get into the console.

1. Turn the washer off and unplug it from the power supply.
2. Turn off the water supply at the outlet.
3. On the left and right sides, find a clip that holds the console to the cabinet.
4. Slide the putty knife under the console about an inch from each end.
5. Push the clip towards the back of the machine while gently prying up and pulling forward to release one side. Do the same to the other side.
6. Flip the console over.
7. Find the two brass clips holding the cabinet to the back panel. Use the flat-blade screwdriver to push down to release the clips.
8. Disconnect the lid switch.
9. Tilt the cabinet forward and slide it off the frame.

Step 2 – Test the pressure switch

The pressure switch reads where the water level is: if the washer is full, empty or the water has reached the desired setting. If the switch has failed while in the full position, then power won’t be able to reach the water valve to fill the unit.

You can test the switch to find out what’s going on.

1. Make sure the washer is turned off and unplugged.
2. Make sure the washer’s water supply is turned off.
3. Set your multimeter to continuity, which looks like a sideways WiFi symbol.
4. Use the wire colors going to the switch to determine which pins to test when you disconnect the harness (E.g., pink and violet wires).
5. Disconnect the harness.
6. Remember which terminals had the colored wires you need to test for an empty tub, then take your meter probes and touch the two terminals.
7. Check the meter reading. You should get continuity here.

If you don’t get continuity, then it means the pressure switch thinks the tub is full and won’t provide water, so you would need to replace the switch.

If you got continuity, you can move on to the next step.

NOTE: If you test for a full tub while there’s no water inside it, then you shouldn’t get continuity. If you do, then the pressure switch thinks the tub is empty and won’t drain, so you would need to replace the switch.

Step 3 – Test the temperature control switch

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the washer needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

1. Make sure the washer is plugged in and turned on.
2. Make sure the water supply is turned on at the outlet.
3. Set the cycle selector to a position where the washer would fill with water.
4. Pull the timer knob out.
5. Find the temperature control switch in the console.
6. Set your multimeter to the VAC setting.
7. Put your meter probes into the brown and white wire in the harness.
8. Check the meter reading. You should see 120 VAC on the meter, which means the timer is doing its job.

If you don’t get 120 VAC here and the pressure switch tested good, then the timer needs to be replaced.

Step 4 – Test the water valves

If your pressure switch and temperature control switch are both good, you can test the water valve next.

1. Turn the washer off and unplug it.
2. Use some pliers to remove the hoses and make sure the screens aren’t clogged with debris.

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the washer needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

Keep in mind that the washer’s manufacturer will sometimes give acceptable resistance readings for the valves. But that wouldn’t tell you if the plunger in the valve is seized up and not opening.

Remember: If a part is receiving a good voltage supply and still not doing its job, then it needs to be replaced.

3. Make sure the washer is plugged in and turned on.
4. Set the timer to a fill setting and pull the knob out.
5. Set the temperature switch to a warm setting so both valves receive voltage.
6. Keep your multimeter on the VAC setting.
7. Find the hot water valve, which will have a brown wire with a red stripe and a white wire going to it. Place the meter probes into the two wires.
8. Check the meter reading. You should get 120 VAC.
9. Find the cold water valve, which will have a yellow wire with a red stripe and a white wire going to it. Test it the same way you did the hot water valve by placing the probes into the two wires. You should get 120 VAC here.

If you don’t have 120 VAC at the water valves but you did get 120 VAC for the temperature control switch, then the temperature control switch is the problem and needs to be replaced.

Once you’ve found the faulty part that needs to be replaced, reinstall the cabinet onto the unit and flip your console back over. You’ll want to leave the machine unplugged to keep yourself safe.

More information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your Kenmore washer working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more. We can also help you troubleshoot common washer problems here.

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