Kenmore Washer Won't Start: Lid Lock and Control Board by Manufacturer
Quick Answer
Kenmore washer not starting: check that the door or lid is fully closed and locked. Make sure child lock is not enabled. Try a power reset (unplug 2 minutes). If still dead, check the breaker and the door switch/lock with a multimeter.
Kenmore washer won't start diagnosis splits by manufacturer. Kenmore 796-prefix (LG-made): check for CL (child lock) on display - press and hold Child Lock 3 seconds. If not child lock, the door latch on front-loaders or lid switch on top-loaders has failed. LG-made Kenmore uses a door latch with both mechanical and electronic confirmation. Kenmore 110-prefix (Whirlpool-made): check for LOC (control lock) on display - hold Control Lock 3 seconds. If not control lock, the lid lock assembly has failed. The 110-prefix Kenmore uses the same lid lock as Whirlpool Cabrio or Centennial depending on the sub-model. For both manufacturers: try unplugging for 60 seconds as a first step. Power outages can leave the control board in a confused state.
What Does the WONT-START Code Mean?
Kenmore won't start: 796 prefix check CL (Child Lock, hold 3 sec).
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Symptoms You May Notice
- See symptoms in detailed guide above
Can you reset a Kenmore washer to clear the WONT-START code?
Unplug 60 seconds. Follow model-specific reset if available.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
Follow the brand-specific diagnosis in the guide above
Follow the brand-specific diagnosis in the guide above. Each brand has different components and failure points.
Check for error codes on the display or LED pattern
If basic diagnosis does not reveal the cause, run the
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my model number?
Is it worth repairing?
Can I fix this myself?
Last verified for technical accuracy on March 15, 2026