Kenmore Washer Error Code IE: Water Inlet Error, Not Filling (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

What the code means

Sears PartsDirect, Kenmore's longtime parts and repair arm, lists IE on Kenmore 796 front loaders as "Inlet water supply error": the initial expected water level isn't reached in 8 minutes, or the final preset water level isn't reached in 25 minutes. The Kenmore Elite 796.4100 Use and Care Guide covers the same problem under "Washer fills with water slowly or not at all" and says that if the washer doesn't fill properly, an error message will show on the display. IE is a 796-series (LG-built) code, so confirm your model number on the label inside the door frame before following this page.

Likely causes

• One or both water faucets closed or not fully open
• An inlet hose that is kinked, pinched or crushed behind the washer, or frozen
• Inlet filter screens in the water valve plugged by hard water scale or sediment
• Low water pressure to the house or the laundry faucet
• Leak-limiting (auto shutoff) hoses that tripped and are blocking flow
• A drain hose pushed too far down the standpipe or sitting in water, so fill water drains out as it comes in
• A failed water inlet valve assembly
• Less often, a failed main electronic control board

Safe DIY checks

1. Make sure both the hot and cold faucets are turned all the way open (counterclockwise).
2. Pull the washer out a little and check that neither inlet hose is kinked, pinched or crushed. If a hose or faucet froze, let it thaw before running the washer again.
3. Check water pressure at another faucet in the house. Kenmore's guide says the supply must be between 20 and 120 psi.
4. Clean the inlet filter screens: turn off both faucets, unscrew the hoses from the back of the washer, carefully pull the screens out of the valve, soak them in white vinegar or a lime scale remover, rinse, and press them back in. Kenmore says to flush several gallons through the hoses into a bucket before reattaching, and never to run the washer with the screens removed.
5. If you use leak-limiting hoses, swap them for standard hoses. Kenmore's guide says they can trip falsely and stop the washer from filling.
6. Check the drain hose. Kenmore's guide says not to put it more than 8 to 12 inches into the standpipe, and LG (which built these washers) notes that a drain hose positioned too low or sitting in water can drain the tub while it fills.
7. Restart the cycle and watch whether water flows into the dispenser.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

Related codes

• dE1 Kenmore Washer dE1
• F21 Kenmore Washer F21
• F5 Kenmore Washer F5
• LE Kenmore Washer LE
• OE Kenmore Washer OE

All Kenmore codes →

Sources

1. Sears PartsDirect: Kenmore 796 model front-load washer error codes (IE inlet water supply error: initial level not reached in 8 minutes or preset level in 25 minutes; check faucets, inlet valves, then main control board)
2. Kenmore Elite 796.4100 Front-Loading Washer Use and Care Guide (fills slowly or not at all: faucets, kinked hoses, clogged inlet filters, low pressure, leak-limiting hoses; 20-120 psi; cleaning the water inlet filters; 8-12 inch standpipe limit)
3. LG USA Support: front load washer not filling with water and shows an IE error code (frozen hoses, drain hose too low or submerged)