Kenmore Elite Water Softener
22 fault codes documented
Brine tank flooded - Clogged drain hose or nozzle/venturi
The brine tank is flooded, which could be caused by a blocked valve drain hose or a dirty/damaged nozzle and venturi assembly.
Brine tubing not connected - Brine cannot reach valve
The brine tubing, which connects the salt tank to the brine valve assembly, may not be connected. This prevents the brine from being drawn into the system for regeneration.
Bypass valve(s) in bypass position - Soft water supply interrupted
The bypass valve(s) are set to the 'bypass' position, which stops water from flowing through the softener for treatment. This will result in hard water.
Display is blank - Check power source
If the display is blank, it means the softener has no power. Check the power source to ensure it is working correctly.
Error code 'Err3' - Electronic control or motor fault
An 'Err3' code indicates a problem with the electronic controller, wiring, the position switch, or the motor.
Error code displayed - Refer to troubleshooting
If an error code, such as 'Err3', appears on the display, consult the troubleshooting section for a diagnosis and correction steps.
Hardness setting incorrect - Water not treated effectively
The water hardness setting on the control panel does not match the actual hardness of your water, leading to ineffective softening.
Inlet/outlet pipes reversed - Water flow incorrect
The inlet and outlet pipes may be connected to the wrong ports on the softener, preventing proper water flow and treatment.
Intermittent hard water - Increased water hardness
The water is sometimes hard, and the cause might be an increase in the natural hardness of the source water.
No salt in storage tank - Unit requires salt
The water softener needs salt to produce soft water. If the tank is empty, the unit cannot recharge the resin bed.
No soft water - Check salt level or recharge
The water softener is not producing soft water. This could be due to a lack of salt or the need to manually initiate a recharge cycle.
No soft water and blank display - Check circuit breaker or fuse
The display is blank and there is no soft water, potentially due to a tripped circuit breaker, blown fuse, or switched-off circuit.
No soft water, salt level not dropping - Bypass valve in bypass position
The water softener is not producing soft water, and the salt level isn't decreasing. The bypass valve might be incorrectly set to the 'bypass' position.
No soft water, salt tank full of water - Clogged nozzle/venturi or drain hose
The salt storage tank is unexpectedly full of water, and no soft water is being produced. This can be caused by a dirty nozzle/venturi assembly or a blocked valve drain hose.
Power supply unplugged or cable loose - No power to unit
The softener is not receiving power because the power supply is not plugged in or the cable is not securely fastened to the controller.
Salty tasting water after regeneration - Clogged drain hose
Salty tasting water immediately after regeneration could be due to a blocked valve drain hose, preventing proper flushing.
Status light flashing rapidly with 'Err' - Electronic fault detected
The electronic system has detected a problem. Refer to the troubleshooting section for specific error codes and solutions.
Status light flashing rapidly with 'PRESENT TIME' - Set the current time
The water softener needs the current time to be set. This usually happens during initial setup or after a power outage.
Status light flashing slowly with salt indicators - Low salt level
The salt monitor system indicates that the salt level in the storage tank is low and needs to be refilled.
Status light solid - System is operating normally
The status light is solid, indicating that the system has power and is functioning without any immediate issues.
Time is flashing - Power was interrupted
If the time on the display is flashing, it means the softener lost power for an extended period. It will resume normal operation, but regenerations might occur at the wrong times.
Valve drain hose kinked or elevated - Water flow restricted
The valve drain hose may be blocked due to kinks, sharp bends, or improper elevation, which can affect operation and potentially cause flooding.