Kenmore HE2 Plus Front Load Washer Logo
Posted on Jan 21, 2009

My Kenmore HE2 Plus Front Load washer won't drain...

It goes through its normal thing for almost the entire wash, and then the F-21 message comes up and there's still water in the washer... The manual obviously isn't much help... can anyone here help with troubleshooting? Thanks!

  • sbchandler Mar 01, 2009

    We also had the same problem. The solution from fordiegirlie was awesome. We followed the instructions and guess what we found, $2.50 in mostly quarters, a drill bit, tooth pick, locket, charm, and best of all, a childs sock. No idea how that got in there. Thanks so much for the solution.

  • Anonymous Feb 26, 2012

    I was having the same problem with my washer. I opened the filter and pulled out $3.03- 6 screws, 4 bobby pins, a small screw driver, a watch battery, and a few other items. Thanks so much for the tip.

×

8 Answers

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Governor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 20 times.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 2 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 31, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Governor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 20 times.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Jan 31, 2009
Answers
2
Questions
0
Helped
12796
Points
49

We have the exact same washing machine, and the same problem. we will need to lift the front of your washer up and undo the bolts to the front cover. you will see a white round turn nob, this is the filter unscrew it (you kight plug your nose) and empty all contents, replace, screw the front plate back on and you are good to go!

Hope this helps, i wish someone would of helped us!!

good luck

  • 6 more comments 
  • mindygz Sep 07, 2010

    So glad I found this solution. Thank you so much! I didn't find this information anywhere else and I tried at least half a dozen Google searches.

  • Justin Sebestyen Nov 29, 2010

    Found this fix from fordiedirlie and 15 minutes late, all good. I wish I had her address. I'd mail her flowers. Saved me a ton.

  • oldguy60 Dec 18, 2010

    works as advertised.... now I get to claim a service call fee for me,.. just in time for Christmas

  • Anonymous Nov 29, 2011

    THANK YOU fordiegirlie!!!! Saved me a ton of $$. I agree with Razma that Sears must be hoping for an easy call.

  • Anonymous Apr 07, 2012

    thumbsup fordiegirlie!!! I used a 1/4 inch deep socket with an extension and didn't have to lift it up. Kinda hard to do with the dryer on top! :D

  • Anonymous Apr 24, 2013

    what kind of tool did you use to get the bolts out?? thanks

  • Mary Ducharme
    Mary Ducharme Aug 02, 2015

    Was hard getting the white cap off the filter (thank goodness for teenage boys who are stronger than their mother). So far so good, my machine is running and working with an empty load! I used a socket wrench (I think that's what it is called) to have my boys loosen the bolts.

  • Martina Roman
    Martina Roman Mar 16, 2016

    Thanks Fordiegirlie, I got rid of my F21 error. It worked great for two days, but now I am getting an F33 error. More research to do..... :)

×

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Mar 29, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Mar 29, 2009
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
12113
Points
12

Fordiegirlie's solution is good and helped me get started, but if it does not work, there are further steps that could help. When I finished doing fordiegirlie's fix, the machine still didn't work even though I found coins and junk to clean out. I pulled the pump(pretty easy, 2 screw underneath and a plastic slide + 2 hoses clamped on). If I could have found an open appliance store, I would have replaced the pump. But it bothered me that the pump was making a noise when the washer should have drained, so I assumed it was trying to work. I took it apart and found that rubber bands had worked their way in. The motor is fairly easy to disasseble and reasemble if you pay attention to where each part comes from(the motor housing has a plastic stop that needs to be depressed with a screw driver while turning off the motor cover). I cleaned it all out and reassembled everything and it is back in business. Gotta say though, Kenmore should be stepping up and fixing these things considering the number of posts I have seen on this. The old toploader I grew up with covered a family of 5 for decades without ever being opened up.

  • 1 more comment 
  • CardinalFan2 Jun 11, 2011

    I cleaned the filter (clogged), but still heard a humming sound as if the pump was trying to work. This solution that worked for me. I would suggest if your washer is to the point that the filter is clogged then taking this additional step is worth doing while you have access to the pump. As Bluesrule 9 said, there are two screws at the bottom which hold the pump on, then two hoses running to the pump and of course power. First unplug your washer, tilt it back far as possible. I used two 2x4s to keep the washer tilted. After removing the pump, take the top cover off the motor (two snaps) which is attached to the PVC fitting that the hoses connected to. There is a release at the top which must be depressed whille turning the PVC fitting. The fitting should come right off, exposing the pump blades. Here is where my problem was, the debris (bobby pin, hair and a rubber band) kept the pump blades from spinning, therefore the pump could not evacuate the water. That's it, put it back together and hopefully you should be back in clean clothes. Note: I emptied my the majority of water out of the tub into a bucket before tilting my machine, you will also want something to catch the water as it comes out of the filter, a medium size bowl worked for me you will go through a couple of bowls before all the water is out. Keep some old towels handy. Good luck.

  • Anonymous Apr 05, 2013

    what release are you talking about to get to the impeller

  • Bill Irmen
    Bill Irmen Aug 14, 2014

    This was very helpful. I too emptied the filter, which was disgusting, but there really wasn't too much in there, mostly bobby pins, but only 12 cents (no Starbucks for me.) After reading CardinalFan's post, I took apart the electric motor. There was a single bobby pin in the rotors. After removing it, I replaced everything, and ba-da-bing, it was working!

×

Ad

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 2 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 14, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Sep 30, 2008
Answers
2
Questions
0
Helped
13778
Points
15

Fordiegirl's suggestion worked great for me also, Had a full load not draining. Opened the panel, unscrewed the filter, I pair of my fiance panties were in there, bobby pins, key to a suitcase, change, underwire to a bra. Works great now. Only advise, is to have a bucket ready and be able to tip the washer up HIGH if you still have water in the drum, it will all drain out, gallons and gallons when you unscrew the filter. THANK YOU FOR THE ADVISE!!!!!

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Nov 03, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Nov 03, 2009
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
12113
Points
8

Fordiegirlie solution worked great! A simple solution that took less than 10 minutes to complete and that should be in the owners manual. I guess Sears needs to make sure that the get to make money on repairs.

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on May 23, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: May 23, 2009
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
12113
Points
5

Fordiegirl's suggestion was picture perfect!! Three screws to remove the panel, unscrew the cover to the pump trap, and then we got a headband, $2.17 in coins, a 1/4 pound of lint, and 3 rubber bands. And now all works fantastic.

chris

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Aug 04, 2015
chris
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Joined: Aug 04, 2015
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
12113
Points
3

Thank-you to Fordiegirlie and bluesrule9! I also watched youtube "Even a blonde can fix it". I cleaned out the pump trap but it still didn't work. Instead of disassembling the pump like bluesrule9 said, I simply removed the electrical supply (plug in) and then twisted it forward to unclip it from the pump trap pipe. A bobby pin had worked its way from the pump trap into the pump, preventing the blades from spinning. Darn those bobby pins!

barbara beach

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jan 02, 2015
barbara beach
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Joined: Jan 02, 2015
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
12113
Points
1

Thank You! Saved me the cost of a repairman. Ten minutes of yuck and the washer works great.

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Apr 19, 2010
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Joined: Apr 19, 2010
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
12113
Points
1

THANK YOU, Fordegirl!!!!! I was just about to call a repairman when I found your solution.....it worked, all kinds of nasty treasures were found and I can once again attack my laundry!

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

I have a Kenmore HE 2plus front load washer and during any wash cycle the drum won't spin and at end of cycle displays F01

Front-loading washer Kenmore HE2 plus - spinning not ...

www.shopyourway.com > Manage My Life > Questions
My Kenmore HE2 plus washer has problems with spin funciton. almost all of the ... or twins size blanket, it just won't spin, even with extra spin cycle only. ... Check to see if the washer will spin without any clothes at all in the basket. ... My HE2 will wash a very small load. ... Any bigger loads The drum will try and turn but wont.

Front Load Washer Won't Drain or Spin Video: Washing ...

? 1:54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlMoT9rgvAg
Jun 1, 2012 - Uploaded by searspartsdirect
... won't drain or spin. For more front load washing machineinformation and repai. ... If the cycle has completed and water is still left in the machine select "Drain and Spin" to remove anywater remaining in the washer. This can be caused .... I have aKenmore HE2 plus front load washer. I can't seem to get it ...

Kenmore HE2 Plus 3.6 cu. ft. Front-Load Super Capacity ...

www.kenmore.com > Laundry > Washers > Front-load Washers

KenmoreFront-Load Super Capacity Washing Machine (4753) .... super wet, and to spin the empty drum after each load to hear if anything was caught in that gap. .... 1st of all: You cannot use any other detergent than HE rated detergent - PERIOD. ... will create too many suds and clog up the machine, and the clothes won't be clean.
0helpful
1answer

What does error message F-21 mean

Drain hose is blocked. Either drain hose is kinked or drain filter has to be cleaned out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWq0xdh8ZIA
0helpful
1answer
0helpful
1answer

I have a kenmore HE 2plus. i am getting a f-21 error reading and door won't unlock, what is the problem and how do i get the door open?

f 21 usually means drain pump is bad. may need to check door lock an see if it reads 15 ohms across the output. if its more than 15 change the door lock
0helpful
1answer

I have a kenmore HE-21 front load washer. I am getting an error code F 21?

It usually indicates a clogged drain filter or pump. Here is a link that should help F21 Fault Code Repair
0helpful
1answer

Kenmore fHE 2 plus front load washer does not drain and does not complete the spin and drain cycle. Error code f-21.

Means the drain is too long. Under the front lower panel is a sump filter. Remove the filter by turning ccw and clean.
0helpful
2answers
2helpful
1answer

Regarding the kenmore he2 plus front loader washer.f-21 keeps coming on.actually worked for a couple loads today but f-21 started coming on again after i started washing a 3rd load of colored clothes.seems...

There is a strainer on the drain pump that is clogged. The manual does not mention this at all, it merely states the drain hose is kinked or clogged.

Under the front door there is a panel that is the width of the machine and is held in place by two screws, one on either side.

When you remove that you will see the pump and the the strainer attached to it. Unscrew the strainer (put a small pan under it to catch excess water) and remove to remove the junk accumulated.

Also, attached to the panel is another manual that refers to the error codes you are seeing.
4helpful
2answers

What does code F21 mean on a Kenmore HE2 plus washer 11047532602?

it stands for longer than normal drain interval,press "pause/cancel" twice to clear, if it returns then look for obstructions in the water drain from the basket all the way to the drain in the house,or possibly it could be a bad washer drain pump
Not finding what you are looking for?

12,123 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Kenmore Washing Machines Experts

Alexander

Level 2 Expert

171 Answers

Cindy Wells

Level 3 Expert

6688 Answers

vince

Level 3 Expert

2530 Answers

Are you a Kenmore Washing Machine Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...