Kenmore washer and dryer error codes: what they mean

By Daniel Brooks Home maintenance writer and appliance troubleshooting specialist based in Charlotte, NC

Quick answer

Kenmore's washer and dryer code set is smaller than LG's or Samsung's, and as this site's Kenmore refrigerator page already explains, Kenmore doesn't manufacture its own machines. If your code isn't in the table below, an owner's manual specific to the company that actually built your model can be the more reliable source.

Why your Kenmore code might not match this list

Kenmore is a retail brand built under contract by other manufacturers, not a single factory with its own engineering behind every model. Depending on which company actually made your washer or dryer, and which decade it was built in, the code set on your display can look nothing like a machine from another Kenmore model line. That's also why this page only covers the one code with enough measurable search volume and confirmed detail for a dedicated walkthrough, rather than trying to list every code Kenmore has ever used.

Full Kenmore washer & dryer error code table

Code	What it means	Common causes
F21	Long-drain or drain-time-exceeded error, the washer isn't draining within its expected window	Clogged drain pump filter, kinked or blocked drain hose, drain hose positioned too high

Kenmore's UE code shows up in searches too, but it doesn't have a dedicated page on this site. Unlike F21, UE's search volume and available detail don't clear the bar for its own full walkthrough, and that's likely to stay the case rather than turn into a future page. If your machine is showing UE, your owner's manual is the more reliable source for now.

Before you call for service

A few basics apply no matter which code you're seeing. Unplug the machine for about 60 seconds, then restart, this clears a meaningful share of transient sensor faults without any repair at all. Confirm the door or lid is fully closed and latched, since a door-detection glitch can display as an unrelated-looking code on some models.

When any Kenmore code means you need a technician

Call a technician if the same code returns immediately after a power cycle and the basic checks for that code, if a code shows up alongside a burning smell or a visible water leak, or if the display shows something not listed here and not in your manual either.

Photos for this guide

Kenmore washer control panel display showing an error code. — Real photo of a Kenmore washer or dryer control panel/display showing an error code.

FAQ

Why doesn't my Kenmore washer or dryer's code match this list?

Kenmore appliances are built under contract by other manufacturers rather than in Kenmore's own factories, so the exact code set can vary by which company actually built your machine. Check your owner's manual, or the equivalent brand page on this site if you've identified the actual manufacturer, for codes not listed here.

What's the most common Kenmore error code with a dedicated fix?

F21, a long-drain error, is the Kenmore code with enough search volume and confirmed detail for its own full walkthrough on this site. Most other Kenmore codes are lower-volume or vary too much by original manufacturer for a single confirmed answer.

Does it matter who actually manufactured my Kenmore washer or dryer?

It can, the same way it does for Kenmore refrigerators. If your model was built by a brand this site covers separately, that brand's own error-code page may describe your exact code more precisely than a generic Kenmore-branded explanation.