Kenmore · Washing Machine
Kenmore Washing Machine F2 Error Code
Stuck button on the user interface
What this error means
F2 on Kenmore Elite HE front-load washers (110.41382, 110.41952 series) means the Central Control Unit sees a user-interface button held down. The washer will not accept cycle changes until the stuck key clears.
How F2 is detected
F2 on Kenmore washing machine units indicates the drive system did not meet expected performance. Direct-drive washers monitor rotor position with a hall sensor; dryers and dishwashers track motor current draw. When the drum or spray arm fails to turn, the inverter or motor relay shuts down to prevent burned windings. Kenmore Elite 41382 31102, Kenmore Elite 41952 99111, and similar variants may show this fault after an overloaded tub or a foreign object jam.
Liquid detergent or bleach residue bridging touch pads is a leading trigger. Start with wipe the control surface with a barely damp cloth and dry thoroughly. Rotate the drum or spray arm by hand when powered off—it should move without grinding. Grinding confirms mechanical obstruction; free rotation with repeated F2 on light loads suggests hall sensor, motor, or inverter board failure requiring professional diagnosis.
Common causes
- Liquid detergent or bleach residue bridging touch pads
- Cracked membrane overlay shorting adjacent buttons
- Moisture in the console after a spill
- Failed user-interface board behind the control panel
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Wipe the control surface with a barely damp cloth and dry thoroughly
- 2Unplug two minutes, restore power, and press each button once
- 3Avoid pressing multiple keys during power-up on HE3t and HE5t models
- 4Replace the UI assembly if F2 appears with no keys touched
When to call a technician
Order the UI by full model number from the rating plate if F2 persists on a dry, untouched panel.
Affected models
- Kenmore Elite 41382 31102
- Kenmore Elite 41952 99111
- Kenmore 22202 90002
Prevention & maintenance
- Avoid washing single heavy rugs or shoes that bind the drum; distribute weight evenly to reduce motor strain that precedes F2.
- Record when F2 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Kenmore washing machine—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for F2; Kenmore uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting F2; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.