Troubleshooting Guide - Kenmore 796.7162# Use & Care Manual

BEFORE CALLING FOR SERVICE
Problem
*CHECK VENT indicator
is blinking
* This warning light is
not a dryer failure and is
not covered by the dryer
warranty. Contact a duct
cleaning service to set
up an appointment to
have your exhaust system
cleaned and inspected.
The CHECK VENT
indicator remains active
(blinking) after clearing
the restriction in the
venting.
Dryer will not turn on
Buttons are disabled or
CL shows in display
Light does not turn on
when door is opened
Dryer does not heat
Greasy or dirty spots on
clothes
Drying time is not
consistent

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Possible Cause
Exhaust system is too long or has
too many turns/restrictions.
Partial blockage of the ductwork
due to lint buildup or other foreign
object.
The appliance has detected a
restriction in the external dryer
venting.
After clearing the restriction, the
CHECK VENT system requires
multiple, consecutive cycles to
determine that the performance
value has improved before the
CHECK VENT indicator is reset.
Power cord is not properly plugged
in.
House fuse is blown, circuit breaker
has tripped, or power outage has
occurred.
CONTROL LOCK function is
engaged.
Dryer has been off for more than
four minutes and light is disabled.
House fuse is blown, circuit breaker
has tripped, or power outage has
occurred.
Gas supply or service is turned off
(gas models only).
Clean and dirty clothes are being
dried together.
Clothes were not properly cleaned
or rinsed before being placed in the
dryer.
Heat settings, load size, or
dampness of clothing is not
consistent.
Install a shorter or straighter duct run. See the
Installation Instructions for details.
Ductwork should be checked/cleaned immediately.
Dryer can be used in this condition, but drying
times will be longer and energy consumption will
increase.
See the CHECK VENT INDICATOR and CHECK
VENT OPERATION sections for details regarding
this function.
If the CHECK VENT indicator remains active for
more than fi ve cycles after the restriction has been
cleared, call for service.
Make sure that the plug is securely plugged into a
grounded outlet matching the dryer's rating plate.
Reset circuit breaker or replace fuse. Do not
increase fuse capacity. If the problem is a
circuit overload, have it corrected by a qualifi ed
electrician.
Press and hold the CONTROL LOCK button for fi ve
seconds to activate or deactivate the function.
Press the POWER button to turn on the dryer, which will
enable the drum light.
Reset circuit breaker or replace fuse. Do not
increase fuse capacity. If the problem is a
circuit overload, have it corrected by a qualifi ed
electrician.
NOTE: Due to the design of electric dryers, it is
possible for a circuit problem to allow an electric
dryer to run without heat.
Confi rm that the house gas shutoff and the dryer
gas shutoff valves are both fully open. Even if gas
is not supplied to the dryer, it will run and no error
codes will display. Verify that other gas appliances
in the home are working normally.
Only use your dryer to dry clean items. Soil from dirty
clothes can transfer to the clean clothes in the same or
later loads.
Stains on dried clothes could be stains that weren't
removed during the washing process. Make sure
that clothes are being completely cleaned or
rinsed according to the instructions for your washer
and detergent. Some diffi cult soils may require pre-
treating prior to washing.
The drying time for a load will vary depending on
the type of heat used (electric, natural gas, or LP
gas), the size of the load, the type of fabrics, the
wetness of the clothes, and the condition of the
exhaust duct and lint fi lter. Even an unbalanced
load in the washer can cause poor spinning,
resulting in wetter clothes which will take longer to
dry.
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Solutions