Kenmore Washing Machine: not stopping filling with water

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Kenmore washing machine not stopping its water fill? This issue can lead to overflow, as the washer continues to draw water beyond the designated level. This malfunction often occurs even when the wash cycle should be advancing, creating potential flooding hazards in your laundry area.

Urgency: High

Important Tips for Kenmore Models

  • Kenmore washers use similar inlet valves and pressure switches as many Whirlpool‑based designs, so many generic troubleshooting steps apply.

Possible Causes

Faulty water inlet valve (stuck open)

How to Identify: Water continues to flow into the drum even when water level should be reached; audible continuous water flow

Part: Water inlet valve

Faulty water level switch or pressure sensor

How to Identify: Machine does not sense correct water level, never signals inlet valve to close; may be accompanied by error codes

Part: Water level switch / pressure/air dome

Clogged or damaged air dome/pressure hose (affecting water level sensing)

How to Identify: Pressure hose blocked or kinked, water level signalling erratic

Part: Air dome hose

Control board or electrical fault

How to Identify: No mechanical fault found but symptom persists; unusual electrical behavior or fault codes

Part: Main control board / wiring

DIY Solutions

Reset and basic check

Easy 10 minutes
  1. Unplug the washer and shut off the water supply
  2. Wait ~5 minutes then restore power and water, and run a test cycle to see if normal filling resumes
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before touching electrical components

Inspect and clean pressure hose (if accessible)

Moderate 30 minutes
Tools Needed: Screwdriver
  1. Unplug and shut off water
  2. Locate pressure hose from tub to pressure switch
  3. Disconnect hose and check for blockages, water or kink
  4. Clear and reconnect ensuring secure fit
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off prior to accessing internal components

Professional Repairs

Replace water inlet valve

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Replace water level switch/pressure sensor

Estimated Cost: $60 - $200

Control board repair/replacement

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

When to Call a Professional

Continuous water flow after checking hoses and simple resets
Evidence inlet valve or water level switch failure
Signs of electrical malfunction such as error codes or unresponsive controls

Preventive Maintenance

  • Regularly check and clear pressure hose and filters: Incorrect water level detection and fill issues
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Washing Machine not stopping filling with water?
Common causes include a faulty water inlet valve, a malfunctioning water level switch, or a clogged pressure hose.
How do I fix Kenmore Washing Machine not stopping filling with water myself?
You can try resetting the machine or inspecting the pressure hose for blockages and cleaning it if necessary.
How much does it cost to fix not stopping filling with water?
Professional repairs can range from $50 to $300, depending on the specific issue and required parts.
When should I call a technician for not stopping filling with water?
If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if you're facing complex electrical problems, it's time to call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

65%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty inlet valve not closing properly
  • Clogged or kinked water supply hose
  • Malfunctioning water level sensor or pressure switch

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Inspect and replace the inlet valve. Disconnect the power, turn off the water supply, remove the valve, and test it with a multimeter. If faulty, replace it with a new valve.

  2. Check the water supply hose for kinks or clogs. Disconnect the hose and inspect it for blockages. Clean or replace the hose if necessary.

  3. Test and replace the water level sensor or pressure switch. Access the component, check for continuity, and replace it if defective.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Kenmore 80 Series question (water filling, machine off)

Community Discussions

constantly fills with water and will not stop

The inlet valve may have frozen and broken, causing it to not close.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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