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Washing machines have come a long way since they were first invented. While early models were simple with very few features, the same is not true for ones on the market today.
In fact, washing machines can come with a wide variety of different features. This is great but can also lead to headaches when something goes wrong.
One common issue with Kenmore HE washers is that sometimes they become stuck on “sensing” and begin to malfunction.
When Kenmore HE Washer is stuck on Sensing Cycle and not proceed to the Wash cycle, most likely one of these 3 parts malfunction:
- Failed Water Inlet Valve or Inlet Valve Tap is in OFF position
- Shift Actuator not able to change position, before Wash cycle
- Control Board malfunctioned
Though Kenmore washers are known to be reliable and easy to fix, it can be frustrating when you’re not sure why the machine is acting a certain way.
UPDATE: Service Manual for your washer is located at the bottom of this article.
First, What is the Sensing Cycle?
The auto-sensing function on your Kenmore HE washer is designed to conserve water and automate the entire washing process.
It helps ensure that just the right amount of water is used to wash your load of laundry. So, if you always do your best to save water, this is a great function to have!
So, how does it work?
When you press the “START” button on your Kenmore washer, the washer begins by performing a self-test on the lid lock.
This occurs when you hear the click and see the basket make a slight turn. You will also notice that the lid unlocks for a moment, before it locks again for good.
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The washing machine will then use a few slow, short spins to determine how big the load of laundry is. These are what are known as “sensing spins”.
It then takes between two and three minutes for the washer to begin adding water to the load. The unit then moves the load quickly, and pauses to allow water to soak into the clothes.
More water is added periodically, until the machine senses the right amount of water is present.
If the machine thinks the water level is low or is not filled correctly, the sensing function will help the machine stabilize the amount of water required for use.
To put it simply, your Kenmore washer uses the sensing function to determine how large the load of laundry is, and just how much water will be needed to clean the clothes properly.
While you may notice that the wash load is not entirely submerged in water sometimes, this is normal and required for the clothes to move around as needed.
Just be sure to never add more water to the load because this can cause your laundry to float and will cause your clothes to not come out as clean as they should be.
Why is My Kenmore HE Washer Stuck on Sensing?
Sometimes, Kenmore HE washers become stuck on sensing. This usually occurs because there are some parts malfunctioned.
Failed Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve is the part that is used to connect the hot and cold water hoses to your washing machine. It controls the flow of water into the machine.
When this valve has failed it can cause your washer to not fill enough or even at all. The valve is not usually repairable, so when you find the part is bad it must be replaced.
However, depending on what’s wrong with the valve, you may be able to clean the two inlet ports and restore the flow of water.
The ports (filters) can become blocked by calcium deposits or debris which prevents water flow into the washing machine.
The valve can be tested to see if it has indeed failed. Replacing this part is easy but must be done with parts and procedures specific to the model of your Kenmore washer.
Here’s a look at the first steps you need to take:
- Disconnect the power supply to the washing machine
- Turn off both the hot and cold water supply
- Unscrew the supply hoses from your washer using pliers
- Beware water will leak from the supply hoses once they are disconnected – have a bucket ready
- Next, check the filter screens
- Here you are looking for debris on the filter screens inside the water inlet valve – this is a common reason for a valve malfunction
- Use a flashlight and make sure to look at the screens in both ports. Carefully clean them without causing damage because they cannot be replaced
If there are no blockages or calcium buildups present, you will need to test the solenoids on the water inlet valve for continuity using a
Here’s how you do that:
- Depending on the specific model of your Kenmore washer you may need to remove the front or back access panel on the cabinet (check your owner’s manual)
- After you remove the appropriate access panel, you should see the valve
- There are two wires on the solenoid that needs to be disconnected – remember where they go
- Set your
multimeter to the “OHM X1” setting to test for continuity - Connect a probe to each terminal
- The reading should show at least some resistance
- If your reading is zero or infinity, the solenoid on the inlet valve has burnt out
- Test both solenoids independently, if either is faulty, replace the water inlet valve
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Motor Shift Actuator Malfunction
Many top-load Kenmore washing machines using motor shift actuator to switching transmission rings between WASH and SPIN cycles.
At the very beginning of the WASH cycle, the control board checking position of the tub and to make sure shift actuator not been set to the SPIN cycle.
If for some reason shift actuator didn’t change position for the WASH cycle before SENSING or just unable to do it due to mechanical or electrical failure, the control board will keep trying to “fix” the position of the shift actuator.
After several attempts lid lock light starts blinking, telling you that there is something malfunctioned, in your case its shift actuator.
In order to fix this problem, first of all, you need to go to the diagnostic mode and look for an error code related to the shift actuator, in order to CONFIRM that its shift actuator failure indeed.
Below is the service manual for your top-load Kenmore washer and go to Page 2
Kenmore HE Washer Service Manual
Main Control Board Failed
Along with a shift actuator failure, there is a major problem that can occur, fortunately not very often, with the main control board.
Control board stop responding to commands due to electrical or wiring issues, or even worse corrupted software.
In this case, you have to check to make sure all connectors to the control board or to the shifter or to the motor are tight.
If everything you checked seems ok, then the only option is to replace the control board. The article below discusses the control board of a Kenmore washer.
If you have any question related to this topic please ask in the comment section below. Visit our website for brand specific troubleshooting and do-it-yourself repair guides.
Hi Eugene,
I posted earlier but I don’t see my question.
I have a Kenmore washer series 500 high efficiency mod number 110 22352511. I had called just answers when my washer wouldn’t work. I was told it was the controller so I replaced it. Still didn’t fix the problem. I called again a month later after installing it and he told me it was the water inlet valve. Waited another 3 weeks and installed it and still not working. I turn it on the sensing lite comes on and fills with water. After filling it starts draining, still with only the sensing lite on. After emptying then the sensing lite turns off and the wash lite comes on and nothing happens. I have gone into the test mode. All lites blink at first, then I turn one right complete lite comes on. During the test it fills, agitates, empties and spins but after getting out of the test mode it goes back to just sensing. Can you give me any insight on my problem. It would be greatly appreciated.
Heiar Elite top load washer filled up with water but won’t agitate. It manually turns all the way around instead of stopping. I then manually tried to see if drum still moves/spins at all but it was pretty hard to move it. I checked magnetic lid switch & that’s fine, belt also looked fine and in place. This washer does not have a digital error sensor to give me a code or anything on the panel either. For me to have access to the motor I’d need to put washer on it’s side because it’s under the drum. It already has an open bottom so there’s no floor panel to remove. Any ideas would be appreciated.
What kind of washer do you have? There are so many washers it would be hard to determine your problem
kenmore 700 series he washer model110.28102310 at the end of the wash cycle it drains and sounds like it just wants to keep draining. and doesn’t start the rinse cycle
My washing machine is stuck on the sensor and it’s not washing
I have replaced the controller and the water inlet valve and it still stays in sensing. It fills up with water, then drains after filling up with no wash cycle. Then the sensing lite goes off then the wash lite comes on and then nothing. I have gone through the test mode. It agitates, adds water, drains, and spins. Then all the lites blink but the red lid cover. Why is it not washing after replacing parts that an online tech had me purchase. First time he told me controller then second time the water valve but it still doesn’t work and I’m tired of paying just answers money when it seems he is just guessing. Please help me with my problem. Thanks in advance
Sorry it’s a Kenmore washer series 500 top load washer.
My washer keeps filling does not stop what wrong with it
I try to start my top load 700 series Kenmore washer and get a lid error. When you look that up, it says the hot and cold water are switched. They are not. We have had this for a few years and this just started doing this last week. I am hoping for an easy answer.
Sorry, It is not clear to me what exactly the problem is. Do you have a problem with the lid switch or with the water temperature?
What do you do when your kenmore series 600 reads a code f5?
F5 – lid lock issue. Get a new lid lock
My Kenmore Elite will not run a diagnostic code cycle. It just sits on C00. What else can I try?
Hi Eugene, I have fixed mine a few times before, Model 110.26002010
This time as it starts sensing, it varies at which time it does it, but it will start to do it’s thing, but first sense spins will work fine, but as it starts the 2nd or 3rd sense spin, it suddenly goes to a hum sound, door lock light blinks, i turn it off, but still hums till i pull the plug.
I have changed the capacitor last year & i just changed the motor shift actuator when it started to do this. 2 washes went thru just fine, but now on the 3rd sense it is doing it again.
So would this be the control board doing it? Thanks
Run diagnostic mode and switch several times between spin and agitation. Will the shift switch actuator doing its job without a problem or something jamming it?
I ran diagnostic mode & did back & forth with spin & agitation (high/low, gentle/heavy), it works fine.
I switched the actuator from reading a few other forum posts of a hum from motor just incase.
When the hum occurs, its as if it starts to do the sensing try & then like something electrical occurs, like feedback. the basket is still movable while something is humming. while doing it, i push power button, display turns off, but the hum is still occuring & when i pull the plug from the wall, you see spark.
Wow.. i have never had this kinda issue in my practice.. Hard to say what is it without seeing and hearing it, where its coming from. Control board?
Just checked a few things, the green light on the control board goes out when the noise occurs, even thou the display lights work & it gives a shutdown tone when power button pushed & it is the motor making the noise, got warm.
I checked the resistance between the 3 motor wires.
white to red 4.5
white to yellow 4.5
red to yellow 8.5
Thanks for your help.
Sorry, do you have direct drive motor? if yes, readings between windings should be the same, cause its 3 phase motor
Hi,
Same EXACT machine and problem as Lennie.
3 things:
1.) This Kenmore washer Model 110.26002010 is belt driven, not direct drive.
2.) There is no numerical display on this model, so I have no idea how to get it to self-diagnose. Nowhere to display error codes. The Technician’s manual inside the machine also refers to diagnostics and error codes, but that simply won’t work for this particular model. It won’t even go into diagnostic mode if you follow the sequence of steps described in the manual.
3.) The LOUD electrical-type hum is coming from the motor area, on the bottom/front under the wash tub. The capacitor and the actuator check out OK, all connections look good.
The problem is intermittent and inconsistent, but getting more frequent. if I repeatedly go through the sensing step and wait for the HUM/Stop as it’s about to shift to the Wash Cycle, it will occasionally go so far as to open the water valves and start filling the wash tub before the hum kicks in, while other times, if will make it all of the way through and complete the run. If you try to start on Spin/Drain, it works just fine. Problem seems to occur only in the Sensing-> Wash transition.
John, the service manual for your washer located on the inner left side, Between tub and front panel. Open the lid and take a look between drum and panel, you will see it. get that manual and follow service procedures
Hi Eugene I have a kenmore series 500 washer and it’s stuck on sensing and sometimes it doesn’t come on when I hit start like it doesn’t have power also I put it on drain/spin and it started a whole new cycle as if it’s confused…
You need to run diagnostic mode to figure out whats the problem. Service manual located between drum and frame on the left inner side
Hi Eugene………….I have a Kenmore washing machine model
970L48022A2. Beside the fact that it keeps pausing ( I’m looking for a repairman as we speak ), I was wondering if the sensor light should remain on or go off once the machine starts?
Thanks for all the info.
You need to run diagnostic mode to see if any error stored in the memory. KNowing whats the error, you will know whats broken
Hi. I have a kenmore 2130 I put it on Normal Super, because I was going to wash jeans and sweaters. I think it somebody moved it to regular in the process of washing and now it’s stuck. With water and it won’t do anything I unplugged and try to start again but it stays in Sensing and it won’t lock and star I took the clothes out and just left some and unplug and start but nothing it stays in Sensing please help
You need to run diagnostic mode and see what kind of error present. You can find service manual on the left inner side (between drum and the washer)
Hi Eugene,
Thanks for the article.
I have a Kenmore top load washer w10338648 that has stopped working and I am wondering if is worth to fix it or not. If fills with water then it get stuck at sensing for a few minutes and then it turns off. If I manually remove the water, turn it off and turn it back on it fills with water and get stuck at sensing again.
Great article Eugene thanks!
My Kenmore is stuck on ‘sensing’ for the Wash cycles, lid doesn’t lock and it keeps filling with water. However lid does lock and cycles properly on a ‘Rinse and Spin’ and ‘Drain and Spin’. Any thoughts on issue?
Keeps filling until overfilling? If yes, then check the water pressure sensor. Or enter diagnostic mode to see if any errors stored in the control board memory. Service manual is located on the inner side at front of the washer. Just push tub towards the back wall and you will see it.
I have a Kenmore sensing washer. The washer takes forever to wash a load of laundry. What would be the issue
Unbalanced load, worn suspension rods. But you have to go through the diagnostic menu to see if any error codes stored in the control board memory