Kenmore Washer IE Code: Meaning & Fixes
- Meaning
- Inlet error: water isn't entering the washer fast enough, so it fills slowly or not at all.
- Can I fix it?
- Yes, usually a DIY fix
- Also shown as
- 1E
- Seen on
- Kenmore and Kenmore Elite front-load washers with model numbers starting 796 (built by LG), including the 796.4044 and 796.4130 series. Whirlpool-built Kenmore washers (model numbers starting 110) use different codes, such as F21 for a long drain.
IE on a Kenmore 796-series front-loader means the washer fills slowly or not at all. Kenmore’s checks are simple: open both water taps fully, look for kinked or crushed fill hoses, clean the inlet filter screens, and confirm household water pressure. Leak-limiting hoses can also trip falsely and block the fill.
Try this first
- Turn the hot and cold water taps fully open.
- Straighten any kinked, pinched or crushed fill hose.
- Clean the inlet filter screens at the back of the washer.
- Check water pressure at another faucet in the house.
- Replace leak-limiting hoses with the hoses supplied with the washer.
What causes IE
| Cause | What you notice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Water taps not fully open | IE at the start of the cycle | Both taps behind the washer |
| Kinked or crushed fill hose | Fill is slow or stops | Hoses behind the cabinet |
| Clogged inlet filter screens | Fill slows over time, hard water | Screens where the hoses connect |
| Low household water pressure | Weak flow at other faucets | Another faucet in the house |
| Leak-limiting hoses tripped | No water at all with taps open | Hose type; Kenmore doesn't recommend them |
Fix it step by step
Tap a step number to tick it off as you go. Ticks stay on this device.
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Open the taps
Make sure both the hot and cold water taps are fully open.
-
Check the hoses
Look behind the washer for kinked, pinched or crushed fill hoses. Be careful when moving the washer so you don't crush them.
-
Clean the inlet filters
Turn off both taps and unscrew the hoses from the back of the washer. Remove the filter screens, soak them in white vinegar or a lime scale remover, rinse them and press them back in. Reattach the hoses and open the taps.
Safety: Turn the water off before you unscrew the hoses. Never run the washer with the filters removed: Kenmore warns a valve could fail open and flood.
-
Check water pressure
Run another faucet in the house. If its flow is weak, the problem is the household supply.
-
Check the hose type
Leak-limiting hoses can trip falsely and stop the fill. Kenmore recommends using only the inlet hoses supplied with the washer.
When to call a technician
If IE remains with open taps, clean filters, good pressure and standard hoses, the water inlet valve or the control may be faulty. Contact Kenmore service or an appliance technician.
Questions people ask
Is IE the same as 1E?
Yes. The display shows the letter I, which looks like the number 1, so people search for both.
Does IE apply to my Kenmore washer with a 110 model number?
No. IE belongs to LG-built Kenmore washers with 796 model numbers. Whirlpool-built 110 models use different codes for fill problems.
Why did IE start after I replaced the hoses?
Check that the new hoses aren't kinked and that the filter screens are in place. Leak-limiting hoses can trip falsely and block the fill.