When I put the bleach in the dispenser it flows immediately into the washer. Shouldn't it wait until it has water to mix with?

the soap dish area inside needs a good clean

I hope this is helpful

Hello Denise C - There are several things that could cause the bleach to not dispense into the washer. Are you sure the liquid in the dispenser after the wash is bleach? If it is pure bleach, the solenoid that lets the water into the dispenser is not working. This solenoid is located on the back of the dispenser. It only gets voltage during the dispense time and fills the bleach dispenser with water. The bleach dispenser fills while the washer is filling for the rinse cycle.



When the washer begins to fill for the rinse cycle, the bleach solenoid is energized and water flows into the bleach dispenser cup. When the cup is full the water siphons out and bleach and water flow into the tub.



If the liquid in the bleach dispenser is pure bleach you may need a technician to diagnose and repair the problem. The voltage will have to be tested to the bleach solenoid and a volt meter is required.



If the liquid in the bleach dispenser is water you probably need to clean the dispenser cup. Scum will build up in the siphon tube and stop the liquid from going into the washer tub. The incoming water will dilute the bleach and overflow the dispenser cup and run into the tub.



Remove the insert from the bleach and fabric softener compartments. Clean the bottom of the insert and the bleach and fabric softener compartments. Reinstall the insert and put the drawer back inside the washer.



To test the siphon action slowly pour water into the bleach compartment. When the water level goes above the maximum line stop pouring. The water should all drain out. You may also test the fabric softener compartment the same way.



I do hope this information proves to be helpful.

Hello, Thank You for using FixYa. I will be helping you today.This model has a valve used just for the bleach dispenser. Depending on your serial number it is a whole valve assembly or a separate valve for the bleach and softener. But pretty sure your going to have to replace it.Just check for voltage at the valve assembly to determine which one.
Thank You and please rate my answer if it was helpful..

Before you do anything, make sure that the plastic part in the bleach dispenser container is pushed in. Fill with bleach to the "max" line, written on the plastic part. Start the wash cycle and make sure that water goes into the bleach dispenser. Once water flows into the dispenser, the bleach/water mixture rises and should automatically dispense into the washer. We had this same problem. We removed the dispenser unit and took it to the sink. We then filled it with water and it started coming out from the bottom automatically. So sort of suction is caused from the amount of water and it starts to flow. Basically, you aren't adding enough bleach into the dispenser if the water flows into it as the wash cycle runs.

It sounds like the bleach dispenser is clogged or has a crack in it. What we do, is when we bleach our clothes and I know that this is extra work, but we wait until the washing machine is full of water, then add the bleach directly to the wash.

Is water left in the dispenser at the end of the cycle?
About two tablespoons of water remaining in the dispenser compartment at the end of the cycle is normal. At the end of the wash cycle, fresh water automatically cleans the dispenser. Check that the cycle is complete before opening the dispenser drawer.
Is the dispenser drawer clogged?
A clogged dispenser can block the flow of water through the dispenser and cause water to leak out. Manually remove the dispenser, and clean any leftover detergent or additives that could clog the flow of water through the dispenser. Also, check that the detergent drawer is always completely closed during the cycle. If the drawer is not closed completely, water can leak out onto the floor.
Are the additives dispensing too early?
Here are a few things that can cause the additives (detergent, fabric softener or liquid chlorine bleach) to dispense early:

• Check that the dispenser is not overfilled. Do not fill past the MAX fill lines on the dispenser. Overfilling can cause early dispensing of liquid chlorine bleach and/or fabric softener.
• Check that the detergent separator is in the correct position. For liquid detergent, the separator should be in the front position. For powdered detergent, the separator should be in the rear position. If the separator is in the rear position while you are using liquid detergent, it will dispense immediately, which is not how it is designed to work.
• Use powdered HE detergent when using the DELAY WASH option. Liquid detergent may dispense prior to the start of wash.

Are the additives dispensing too late?
The additives will not dispense until the proper time if the DELAY WASH option is selected.

According to the manual on pages 12 & 13.

1. Place a load of sorted clothes into the washer. See “Laundry
Tips.”
■ Load evenly to maintain washer balance. Mix large and
small items. Items should move easily through the wash
water.
■ Load only to the top of the basket as shown. Overloading
can cause poor cleaning. Items need to move easily
through the wash water.
2. Pour measured powdered or liquid High Efficiency detergent
into the detergent dispenser. Always use the detergent
dispenser, and do not put detergent directly onto clothes in
the washer.
3. Add color-safe bleach (powdered or liquid) to this dispenser,
if needed. Be sure to match powdered color-safe bleach with
powdered detergent or match liquid color-safe bleach with
liquid detergent.
4. Pour measured liquid chlorine bleach into the liquid chlorine
bleach dispenser, if needed. Bleach is diluted and
automatically dispensed at the proper time during the wash
cycle.
■ Do not overfill. Do not dilute. Do not use more than 1 cup
(250 mL) for a full load. Use less with a smaller load size.
■ Follow the garment and the chlorine bleach
manufacturer’s directions for proper use.
■ To avoid spilling, use a cup with a pouring spout. Do not
let bleach splash, drip, or run down into the washer basket.
■ At the end of the cycle, a small amount of water may be
left in the dispenser. This is normal.
NOTE: Use only liquid chlorine bleach in this dispenser.

5. Pour measured liquid fabric softener into the fabric softener
dispenser, if desired.
■ Do not overfill. The dispenser holds 3 oz (94 mL), or a
capful of fabric softener.
■ The fabric softener is dispensed in the final rinse. If Extra
Rinse is selected, the fabric softener will be dispensed
during the Extra Rinse.
■ Do not spill or drip any fabric softener onto the clothes.
■ At the end of the cycle, a small amount of water may be
left in the dispenser. This is normal.
NOTE: Use only liquid fabric softener in this dispenser.
6. Close the washer lid.
7. Press POWER. This turns on the washer display.
8. Select a Wash Cycle. See “Cycles.”
9. Select the desired Modifiers. See “Modifiers.”
10. Select an Option, if desired. See “Options.”
11. Select Delay Wash, if desired. See “Delay Wash” in the
“Modifiers” section.
12. Press START. The wash cycle begins, and the display shows
the estimated remaining time. The lid will lock.
NOTE: If you do not press Start within 5 minutes of pressing
Power, the washer automatically shuts off.


The way that I read the manual, your color safe bleach would go in the detergent dispenser. Your liquid chlorine bleach would go in the bleach dispenser.

Please rate this solution

Washer Monthly Maintenance Procedure:
This cycle uses higher water volumes in combination with liquid chlorine bleach to thoroughly clean the inside of your washing machine.

1. remove any clothing or items from washer
2. CLOSE door (duh)
3. open dispenser drawer and remove the detergent compartment and set aside. No laundry products will be added at this time. You will be required to add only liquid chlorine bleach at a later step.
4. For Kenmore Elite HE products press a specific combo of buttons.

• Select Rinse/Spin program
• select low spin speed
  
• select warm/cold water temp.
• select 2nd rinse option
• push the "end of cycle" signal button 4 times within 5 seconds to start the cycle

The machine will fill and run a short sensing cycle. This will take about 3 minutes.

Step 5

1. The washer will provide 4 short tones. Check the: ESTIMATED TIME REMAINING display for the codes indicated below:

• if "Ab" (add bleach) displayed in the estimated time remaining window (you'll hear 4 short tones) proceed to Step 6.

• if "rL" (remove load) displayed in the Estimated Time Remaining window an error tone will sound. The door will unlock.
  -open the door and remove the items from the washer.
  -continue the cycle by pressing the START button.
  
  NOTE: The water in the unit will dispense for a moment, then the door will unlock, lock again, and then the cycle will continue with another check for items in the washer.
  
  The machine will fill and run a short cycle to determine whether any items have been left in the washer. This will take approx 3 minutes.
  
  the washer will repeat Step 5 until it can determine that there are NO items n the washer and will display "Ab" (add bleach).

6. Add liquid chlorine bleach.

• If using the maintenance procedure for the first time, open the dispenser drawer and immediately add 1 cup liquid chlorine bleach to the Main Wash detergent compartment. The liquid bleach should immediately flow out of the dispenser.
  
• If doing a monthly maintenance procedure, open the dispenser drawer and immediately add 1/3 cup bleach to the Main Wash detergent compartment. The liquid chlorine bleach should immediately flow out of the dispenser.
  
  NOTES:
• Water will be flowing into the dispenser drawer when the bleach is added ... this is normal.
• Do not add any detergent to this cleaning cycle. Use of more than 1 cup of bleachw ill cause product damage over time.

7. Once the cleaning cycle has begun, allow the cycle to complete. An est cycle time will appear on the display.

8. After the cleaning cycle is complete, leave the door open, clightly to allow for better ventilation and drying of washer interior.

9. Replace the detergent compartment divider.

believe it or not whirlpool says that's normal its in your owners manuel under dispenser because the washer mixes the bleach soap fabric softener with water for it to dispense they say its normal for water to remain but if you want to empty it there is a tab that you can press down on in the dispenser and remove it have a bowl handy