Washer My front load stack washer will not drain the fabric softener, and the bleach does not dispense completely either. I have taken the drawer out, cleaned every crevice in the drawer... what next?

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.

Hi
This is a result of the siphoning action and is part of the normal operation of the washer. Water
may be removed by removing the dispenser drawer and draining
water into the empty drum or sink.

Outside
• When washing is completed, wipe top and sides of washer with a damp cloth. Turn water
faucets off to prevent pressure build-up in the hoses.
• As needed, clean the cabinet with mild soap and water. Never use harsh, gritty or
abrasive cleansers. If door or console becomes stained, clean with diluted chlorine bleach
[1/2 cup (120 ml) in 1 quart (.95 L) water]. Rinse several times with clear water.
• Remove glue residue from tape or labels with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent.
Or, touch residue with the sticky side of the tape or label.
• Before moving the washer, place a strip of cardboard or thin fiberboard under the front
leveling legs to prevent floor damage.
Cleaning the Dispenser Drawer Area
Detergent and fabric softener may build up in the dispenser drawer. Residue should be removed
once or twice a month.
• Remove the drawer by pulling the drawer out until it stops. (Figure 1)
• Reach back into the left rear corner of the drawer cavity and press down firmly on the lock
tab (left rear portion of the drawer). Pull out the drawer. (Figure 2)
• Remove the insert from the bleach and fabric softener compartments. (Figure 3)
• Rinse the drawer and inserts with hot tap water to remove traces of accumulated powders
and liquids. Large amounts of fabric softener residue may indicate improper dilution or
more frequent cleaning is required.
• To clean the drawer opening, use a small brush to clean the recess. Remove all residue
from the upper and lower parts of the recess. (Figure 4)
• Replace the insert pressing the "X" to lock it in place. Return the dispenser drawer.
Inside
• Remove items from the washer as soon as the cycle ends. Excess wrinkling, color transfer,
and odors may develop in items left in the washer.
• Before cleaning the washer interior, unplug the electrical power cord to avoid electrical
shock hazards.
• Dry around the washer door opening, flexible gasket, and door glass. These areas should
always be clean to ensure a water tight seal.
• When extremely soiled items have been washed, a dirty residue may remain on the drum.
Remove this by wiping the drum with a nonabrasive household cleanser. Rinse thoroughly
with water.
• Periodically, wipe dry the bottom of the flexible gasket to remove lint and other debris.
• The plastic drum vanes may become stained from fabric dye. Clean these parts with a
nonabrasive household cleanser. This prevents dye transfer to future loads.

try this out for more ref check the operations mannual page 7

Hello - There are several things that could cause the fabric softener to not dispense into the washer. Are you sure the liquid in the dispenser after the wash is fabric softener? If it is fabric softener, 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 fabric softener dispenser with water. The fabric softener dispenser fills while the washer is filling for the rinse cycle.

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

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

If the liquid in the fabric softener dispenser is water you probably need to clean the dispenser cup. **** will build up in the siphon tube and stop the liquid from going into the washer tub. The incoming water will dilute the softener and overflow the dispenser cup and run into the tub. The instructions for cleaning the dispenser should be located on page 43 of the use and care guide that came with the washer.

If you don't have the use and care guide these instructions will help. Open the dispenser until it stops. In the left rear corner of the dispenser, there is a release that is labeled push. Press down on the push area and you can slide the dispenser drawer out.

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 fabric softener compartment. When the water level goes above the maximum line stop pouring. The water should all drain out.

Hope this information proves to be helpful however if it is ineffective please contact a professional to move forward accurately.

In my case it was simply a matter of cleaning the nozzles that spray the water into the MAIN DETERGENT compartment. Turns our that when the washer was filling up, some nozzles were partially clogged and were directing water to the side where the softener compartment was, causing the fluid level to rise and therefore releasing the softener early. The washer was NOT spraying water in the softener side, what happens is that the dispenser tray is configured in a way that when the fluid reaches a certain max level in the softener/bleach trays, it completely drains. A way to test for this problem would be to completely dry the softener tray and start the wash cycle like you normally would (including detergent), only without adding any softener to the tray and see if after filling there is any water in the softener tray, this would prove that the water is coming from the other side.

Clean the dispenser drawer if water is introduced into the fabric softener cavity but does not dispense. Pull the dispenser drawer out until it stops and push down the release tab marked "PUSH" and then pull the dispenser out completely.

Lift the dispenser drawer cover and clean the tubes both in the dispenser drawer and the cover.

Turn the drawer over then release the conveyor from the tabs and lift it off. Clean the conveyor and the drawer thoroughly.

Snap the conveyor into the tabs back into position and then reinstall the dispenser cover making sure the tubes are properly seated.

Slide the dispenser drawer back into the drawer opening while pushing down the part marked "PUSH".

Let us know if the fabric softener dispenser still does not dispense while both the detergent and bleach dispensers dispense.

have you pulled the drawer from the machine and cleaned it thoroughly. break it down into individual pieces and clean the hell out of it. Fabric softener can build up over time and clog every crack and crevice. check also the hole the drawer goes into, water flows into the drawer mixes with f.s., bleach, etc. dilutes it and sends out the bottom.

Remove the dispenser drawer by pushing down on the tab at the center back and pulling drawer out. Now, remove the top of the fabric softener compartment and the parts of the soap dispenser and clean them all out. An old toothbrush often helps. Reassemble and replace. They should siphon out now.

Call the tech. one came out this week and said the system solenoid is always engaged causing the bleach and detergent to dispense when drawer is pushed in

I've had this same problem and solved it by removing the detergent/bleach/softener dispenser drawer from the machine and seriously cleaning out all of the "gunk" from the drawer and from inside the drawer area on washer. Sometimes I have had to repeat the cleaning and then the fabric softener begins dispensing again. I have model # 417.43042200 but it may work on all the Kenmore front loading washers.

Whirlpool has designed this drawer as a siphon feed and soap and softener go as 1, 2 punch followed by bleach mid cycle.