Kenmore · Refrigerator
Kenmore Refrigerator Error Code 29
Water inlet solenoid current too low
What this error means
Code 29 means the fill solenoid drew less current than expected—often an open coil, poor connection, or no water reaching the valve when fill was commanded.
How 29 is detected
When 29 appears on a Kenmore refrigerator, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Kenmore 106.51133210, Kenmore 106.62562101, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most 29 calls are resolved without parts: confirm the refrigerator water supply valve under the sink is fully open. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If 29 returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Open-circuit solenoid coil on the ice maker valve
- Loose wire at the valve connector behind the freezer liner
- House water supply off to the refrigerator saddle valve
- Kinked quarter-inch water line starving the valve
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Confirm the refrigerator water supply valve under the sink is fully open
- 2Inspect the copper or plastic supply line for kinks behind the fridge
- 3Measure valve coil resistance—an open reading means replace the valve
- 4Run a manual fill from diagnostics and watch for water entering the mold cup
When to call a technician
Schedule service if water flows at the disconnected line but code 29 appears during fill—the module or harness may be open.
Affected models
- Kenmore 106.51133210
- Kenmore 106.62562101
- Kenmore 106.74202410
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use refrigerators to prevent 29 from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when 29 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Kenmore refrigerator—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for 29; Kenmore uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting 29; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.