Kenmore Washer tE — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as TE on some models.
tE means the washer's temperature sensor can't read water temperature — the machine can't control heating or wash temps.
What this code means
The drum thermistor stopped reporting a usable temperature. On 796-series Kenmore washers it reads around 40K ohms at 85°F when healthy, so an open or shorted thermistor trips tE.
LG-built Kenmore 796-series front-load washers — confirmed by Sears Parts Direct's Kenmore 796 chart (tE/TE = heating sensor error, thermistor check) and Guifix's LG washer guide.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Loose wiring to the thermistor | Common | Recheck connections |
| Failed thermistor / heating sensor | Common | Pro sensor test |
| Heating element damage affecting sensor readings | Occasional | Pro heater test |
What you can try yourself
- Unplug the washer for five minutes and retry once to clear a possible hiccup.
- If tE returns, unplug again and locate the thermistor near the tub, checking its connector is seated.
- Inspect the wiring for chafing or scorch marks before suspecting the sensor itself.
- Have a technician measure the thermistor's resistance with a multimeter to confirm it's the part to replace.
- Replace a confirmed-bad thermistor per the service guide, then rerun a hot-water cycle to verify.
When to call a technician
- Burned or melted wiring near the thermistor or heater.
- Scalding or ice-cold wash water on any cycle.
- tE alternating with other sensor codes.
Typical professional repair cost: $0 DIY reset; $120–$300 for professional thermistor or heater repair
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to replace the whole heater for tE?
Not necessarily — tE points at the sensor reading, which can be the thermistor itself or its wiring. The heater is only a suspect when it's clearly damaged.
What is a thermistor?
A resistor that changes resistance with temperature. The washer reads it to know how warm the wash water is, and 'tE' stands for thermistor error.
Can I test the thermistor myself?
With the washer unplugged, a multimeter across the thermistor is the test — but knowing the right value and connector location for your model makes a service call the smarter default.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Kenmore codes
- Kenmore Washer PF PF means the washer lost power in the middle of a cycle — restart it and you're usually done.
- Kenmore Washer OE OE means the washer isn't draining fast enough — the front drain pump filter is the usual hero of this story.
- Kenmore Washer UE UE means the washer couldn't balance the load well enough to spin — untangle it and try again.
- Kenmore Washer IE IE means the washer didn't fill with water quickly enough — faucets, hoses, and screens are the first places to look.
More: all Kenmore washer codes · all Kenmore codes · search by symptom