Kenmore Washing Machine: not turning on

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Kenmore washing machine is not turning on, you may notice that there are no lights or display activity when pressing buttons. This issue can stem from several causes, including a lack of electrical power, a faulty control board, or a defective door switch. Understanding these potential issues can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Kenmore Models

  • Kenmore washers commonly have electronic control board and line/thermal fuse failures that result in completely unresponsive units

Possible Causes

No electrical power reaching the washer

How to Identify: Test the outlet with another appliance to confirm power; check circuit breaker status and ensure power cord is fully plugged in and undamaged

Part: Power supply / electrical outlet

Faulty electronic control board

How to Identify: No lights or display on control panel even when power is confirmed; visible burning or damage on board; multimeter tests show no output voltages

Part: Electronic control board

Blown line or thermal fuse

How to Identify: Continuity test with multimeter shows a blown fuse; machine completely dead though power is present

Part: Line fuse, thermal fuse

Defective door/lid switch or latch preventing startup

How to Identify: Door appears closed but safety switch doesn’t engage; machine stays off until latch is secured; continuity test of switch fails

Part: Door/lid switch assembly

Faulty power cord

How to Identify: Outlet has power but washer cord shows no power at entry point; visible cord damage or continuity test failure

Part: Power cord

DIY Solutions

Confirm and restore electrical supply

Easy 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: nightlight or small appliance
  1. Unplug washer and ensure plug is fully seated in outlet.
  2. Plug a nightlight or another small appliance into the same outlet to test for power.
  3. Check household breaker/fuse panel for a tripped breaker and reset if needed.
  4. If outlet has no power, resolve electrical supply or use a different outlet.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure hands are dry and avoid working on live circuits beyond outlet testing

Reset control board by power cycling

Easy 5 minutes
  1. Unplug the washing machine from power.
  2. Wait 5–10 minutes to allow control board capacitors to discharge.
  3. Plug the washer back in and attempt to power on.
  4. Observe if any lights or display come on.
⚠️ Safety First: Do not open machine while plugged in

Professional Repairs

Replace electronic control board

Estimated Cost: $100–$300

Replace line/thermal fuse

Estimated Cost: $10–$50

Replace door switch or latch assembly

Estimated Cost: $20–$80

Replace power cord

Estimated Cost: $15–$60

When to Call a Professional

Control board replacement needed
Fuses are blown internally
Door switch assembly or wiring issues
Power cord or internal component testing beyond simple checks

Preventive Maintenance

  • Check power cord and outlet connections: Loose connections leading to power loss
    Frequency: monthly
  • Keep washer control panel dry and clean: Button and contact corrosion causing control issues
    Frequency: every 3 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Washing Machine not turning on?
The top causes include no electrical power, a faulty control board, or a defective door switch.
How do I fix Kenmore Washing Machine not turning on myself?
Try confirming the electrical supply and power cycling the machine to reset the control board.
How much does it cost to fix not turning on?
Professional repairs can range from $10 to $300, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not turning on?
Contact a technician if basic troubleshooting fails or if you suspect a complex issue.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

100%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Selector knob set incorrectly (1 mentions)
  • Lid switch malfunction (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Adjusting the selector knob to a proper setting

    Success rate: 33.0%
Analysis based on 2 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Kenmore washing machine stopped mid-cycle, won't turn on
  2. Help! Kenmore washing machine not turning on, only occasiona...

Community Discussions

not turning on, only occasionally beeps and flashes one LED

The selector knob was set to a blank setting, rotating it fixed the issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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