Kenmore Elite H3 Washer - Error Code HF
We have a fancypants front-loading washer and dryer set from Sears - Kenmore brand. And for the most part, we could not be happier with them! They get our clothes super clean and the washer uses very little water.
But we've found that it's a bit persnickety when it comes to eating the occasional sock or pair of panties. It took me a couple of months of wondering why I kept smelling mildew before I realized the rubber ring around the door catches a few goodies during nearly every load! By the time I figured out what was going on there, there were almost a dozen tiny little baby socks in there, black with mildew. It was sick.
No biggie, though. We used the washer and dryer with zero issues until one day when it just STOPPED during the rinse cycle, and displayed error code HF. According to the manual, this was a water inlet problem. We couldn't find any such thing, so naturally, I turned to Google! I found that this is a common problem, caused by a clogged filter.
And since so many people were having the same problem, I thought it called for a little tutorial!
How to Get Rid of the HF Error Code
and Get Your Washer to Drain
Step One: Unplug Washer
Safety First!
Step Two: Remove front Panel from Washer
Step Three: Locate Filter Assembly
(and be ready to soak up water with a towel)
Step Four: Remove Filter. It's Gross.
It comes out easily...
But it's really gross.
Ours contained a sock, a mini-Snickers wrapper, and a toothpick.
Step Five: Clean Filter
This is NOT the recommended cleaning method.
Step Six: Replace Clean Filter
Step Seven: Replace Front Panel. Run load of clothes. Marvel at how the washer not only drains, but doesn't smell like ass anymore!
The enginerd and wife hope this tutorial has been helpful to you!
Labels: error codes, front-loader, HF, kenmore elite H3, washer, yucky
posted by Laura at
10:06 PM
19 Comments:
That was fun! And helpful! I mean, it would be helpful if we had one of those. I covet yours, but I know you need it. Nice work!
March 13, 2007 5:38 AM
HA! I don't even own that washer, but I still learned something. Do not lick filters to clean them.
March 13, 2007 7:08 AM
LOL! That was great, and the pictures make it 100000 times better than just plain text. Adding you to my GR :)
March 13, 2007 7:14 AM
LOL! That was great. It's great that he's willing to model for your directions! Now print them all up and you can send them out!!
March 13, 2007 7:45 AM
A washer that doesn't smell like ass is a great thing, isn't it? I LOVE your blog. Have you thought about joining us over at Houseblogs.net?
March 20, 2007 9:06 AM
LOL someone at houseblogs.net just pointed me over here, and I'm glad - I needed a laugh and it delivered! I also now wonder if my frontloading LG washer has a filter like that and if it's nasty with my grandbaby's socks, my older granddaughter's candy wrappers, my partner's cig butts that get stuck into jeans pockets (insert emoticon of someone being totally grosssed out) and a thick layer of dog hair.
March 20, 2007 6:38 PM
I love the internet.
I just found our one-year-old's sock in the filter.
After unplugging, re-starting, calling, pressing buttons and basically standing there dumbfounded for 30 minutes, I finally did what any smart person would do - go to google.
PS - the pictures made me laugh out loud
March 21, 2007 3:35 PM
Well, you know we got this washer. So far, I'm loving it. BTW, F20 means problem with the water inlet. Such as might occur when you tell the machine to wash on warm, but have no hot water.
April 18, 2007 8:11 AM
I hate that rubber thing in the front. We use cloth diapers so it can get nasty. We use the carpet cleaner hose to suck the chunks out. Thanks for a great tutorial.
July 27, 2007 7:45 PM
Thanks for the animated and simplistic resolve to my exact washer problem. Sears should hire you to work for them since Sears itself does not offer answers....
December 1, 2007 7:19 AM
THANKS, NERD-MAN! I just finished cleaning a stocking out of filter in my Kenmore HE3--I was getting an error code of E02, so I cleaned the filter & re-leveled it and IT'S WORKING PERFECTLY! I love you! (p.s., I had to jack up the machine to reach the middle screw so I'm going to build a platform like yours! Thanks again! You saved me!)
January 15, 2008 1:59 PM
My kenmore elite was flashing f and h error codes hopefully this works but I definitely learned something. Jeanne.
February 11, 2008 8:47 AM
i have a kenmore he3 an it keeps saying SUD???
I CANT FIND MY MANUAL...
can someone please help me???
thanks
lisa_williamsx3@yahoo.com
February 23, 2008 10:45 PM
now it is showing f 02???
what do i do????
help me please
February 23, 2008 10:48 PM
Thanks, this solved my problem.
April 5, 2008 9:22 PM
Great page, love the pics, and yes my filter was realy gross, found about $1.50 in change in it though.
Thanks
April 7, 2008 6:15 PM
Wow, that was so easy! I am tempted to dissect the glob of gunk retrieved from the filter but it is kinda scary looking. Thanks for the tips!
April 8, 2008 9:21 AM
You guys rock...fixed my problem and had fun doing it!
May 27, 2008 9:31 AM
Thank you! My washing machine has been driving me absolutely crazy for months! Your site was such a blessing to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I found the filter and it was disgusting. The source of my troubles was a sock, that all sorts of gunk had been added to it. You ROCK!
June 18, 2008 6:32 PM
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