Kenmore dryer repair, by the maker behind it
The compact Kenmore 26-81202 has no vent at all. It condenses moisture into a tank, and two lights run its upkeep: a Water Tank Indicator when the tank needs emptying and a Check Condenser light when the condenser needs cleaning.
Which company made your Kenmore dryer?
Kenmore never ran its own dryer factory; other companies built the machines. On older units, the three digits before the dot name the maker.
| Prefix or code | Maker on record | Dryers in the record | What it means for parts | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 796 | LG Electronics, of South Korea | Eight Kenmore Elite gas models, such as 796.90512900 | Give us the full number; the record ties the build to LG | CPSC notice, August 2012 |
| 110 | Whirlpool Corp., Benton Harbor, Michigan | Kenmore Laundry Center 110.98752792 and 110.98752793 | Whirlpool ran the recall as the maker | CPSC notice, July 2002 |
| 26- codes | Not stated on kenmore.com | Current models such as 26-69162 and 26-81202 | The full model and serial from the label decide it | kenmore.com dryer listings |
Kenmore dryer signs worth reading first
Some of these are Kenmore features doing their job, and one is a recall that changes who pays. General dryer causes for every brand are on the linked pages below.
Compact will not start
On the 26-81202, check the Water Tank Indicator first. A full tank is the usual reason.
Compact drying slowly
A lit Check Condenser light means the condenser is due for cleaning. Do that before calling.
Gas Elite stays hot
A 796 Elite gas dryer that heats after the cycle ends may carry the recalled gas valve.
Check Vent signal
Older C6813 and C6913 models signal a restricted vent and a lint screen that needs clearing.
Drum turns after the end
Wrinkle Guard tumbles the load now and then after the cycle. That is a feature, not a fault.
Squeal or thump
Our dryer noise page covers squeals and thumps for every brand, belts included.
Kenmore dryer numbers
Sources: kenmore.com dryer pages; ENERGY STAR dryer records for Kenmore; CPSC 2012 and 2002 recall notices
How we handle a Kenmore dryer call
Because another company built your Kenmore, the label decides almost everything: which parts fit, whether a recall applies and which wiring diagram we open. We read the prefix or the 26- code first, check for a recall, then test the heat source and airflow. If the fix is a belt or a vent cleaning, we say so plainly, since Kenmore's warranty treats those as upkeep rather than defects.
- Label read first
- Maker identified by prefix
- Recall lookup before parts
- Vent and lint path checked
- Condenser cleaned on compacts
- Straight repair-or-replace advice
Does the Kenmore warranty cover a worn dryer belt?
No. Kenmore's repair exclusions list belts and filters as expendable parts that wear out in normal use, and they will not pay for a technician to clean or maintain the dryer. The dryer itself has one year from the date of sale, cut to 90 days if it is used for anything but a private household. A worn belt is ordinary wear. A control that fails in the first months may be covered, so find the receipt.