Main wash detergent dispenser appears clogged, detergent and water remain in dispenser after cycle is complete.

compartment 1: Detergent for pre-wash
(powder)
Before pouring in the detergent, make sure that extra compartment 4 has been removed.

compartment 2: Detergent for the wash cycle
(powder or liquid)
Liquid detergent should only be poured in immediately prior to the wash cycle start.

compartment 3: Additives (fabric softeners, etc.)
The fabric softener should not overflow from the grid.

extra compartment 4: Bleach
! Do not use Hand Wash Detergent because it may form too much foam.

Cleaning the detergent dispenser
Remove the dispenser by raising it and pulling it out (see figure).
Wash it under running water; this operation should be repeated
frequently.


Dado

Pull out the dispenser drawer as much as you freely can. There is a tab that you can depress to pull the drawer out completely. You can then rinse it completely with hot water to ensure it is not clogged.

There is a valve that releases water into the detergent tray when the washer is started. The water hose for that may be cracked, loose or the valve for that might not be working.

clean your dispencer as you could pull it out and clean it with tooth pick and worm water

Hello,
Yes the detergent and softener will stay in the dispenser drawer until the correct time for them to be dispensed. The detergent is dispensed during the main wash cycle and the softener will not dispense until the rinse cycle

Was the dispenser cup wet when you added detergent?
Make sure the dispenser cup is dry before adding powdered detergent. If dispenser cup is wet, the detergent can clump.
Is the cycle incomplete?
If the previous cycle did not complete, the detergent can become caked in the dispenser cup if it is left sitting in the dishwasher.
Is the detergent old?
Older detergent exposed to air will clump and not dissolve well, which will cause the dispenser door to stick to the detergent. Replace detergent if necessary and store the detergent in a tightly closed container in a cool dry place.
Is the water temperature too low?
For best washing and drying results, water should be 120oF (49o C) as it enters the dishwasher.
Were items blocking the dispenser that kept it from opening?
Items blocking the detergent dispenser will keep it from opening. Make sure water action can reach the dispenser.
Detergent guidelines

• Use automatic dishwashing detergent only.
• Other detergents can produce excessive suds that can overflow out of the dishwasher and reduce washing performance.
• Store tightly closed detergent in a cool, dry place.
• Fresh automatic dishwasher detergent results in better cleaning.
• Add detergents just before starting the cycle.
• The amount of detergent to use depends on the hardness of your water and the type of detergent.
• If you use too little, dishes won't be clean.
• If you use too much in soft water, glassware will etch.
• Suggested fill amounts are for standard powdered detergent. Amounts may vary if you use liquid or concentrated powdered detergent. Follow instructions on the package when using these detergents.
• Water hardness can change over a period of time. Find out your water's hardness by asking your local water department, water softener company, or county extension agent.

Is water left in the dispenser at the end of the cycle?
About two tablespoons of water remaining in the dispenser compartment at the end of the cycle is normal. At the end of the wash cycle, fresh water automatically cleans the dispenser. Check that the cycle is complete before opening the dispenser drawer.
Is the dispenser drawer clogged?
A clogged dispenser can block the flow of water through the dispenser and cause water to leak out. Manually remove the dispenser, and clean any leftover detergent or additives that could clog the flow of water through the dispenser. Also, check that the detergent drawer is always completely closed during the cycle. If the drawer is not closed completely, water can leak out onto the floor.
Are the additives dispensing too early?
Here are a few things that can cause the additives (detergent, fabric softener or liquid chlorine bleach) to dispense early:

• Check that the dispenser is not overfilled. Do not fill past the MAX fill lines on the dispenser. Overfilling can cause early dispensing of liquid chlorine bleach and/or fabric softener.
• Check that the detergent separator is in the correct position. For liquid detergent, the separator should be in the front position. For powdered detergent, the separator should be in the rear position. If the separator is in the rear position while you are using liquid detergent, it will dispense immediately, which is not how it is designed to work.
• Use powdered HE detergent when using the DELAY WASH option. Liquid detergent may dispense prior to the start of wash.

Are the additives dispensing too late?
The additives will not dispense until the proper time if the DELAY WASH option is selected.

According to the manual on pages 12 & 13.

1. Place a load of sorted clothes into the washer. See “Laundry
Tips.”
■ Load evenly to maintain washer balance. Mix large and
small items. Items should move easily through the wash
water.
■ Load only to the top of the basket as shown. Overloading
can cause poor cleaning. Items need to move easily
through the wash water.
2. Pour measured powdered or liquid High Efficiency detergent
into the detergent dispenser. Always use the detergent
dispenser, and do not put detergent directly onto clothes in
the washer.
3. Add color-safe bleach (powdered or liquid) to this dispenser,
if needed. Be sure to match powdered color-safe bleach with
powdered detergent or match liquid color-safe bleach with
liquid detergent.
4. Pour measured liquid chlorine bleach into the liquid chlorine
bleach dispenser, if needed. Bleach is diluted and
automatically dispensed at the proper time during the wash
cycle.
■ Do not overfill. Do not dilute. Do not use more than 1 cup
(250 mL) for a full load. Use less with a smaller load size.
■ Follow the garment and the chlorine bleach
manufacturer’s directions for proper use.
■ To avoid spilling, use a cup with a pouring spout. Do not
let bleach splash, drip, or run down into the washer basket.
■ At the end of the cycle, a small amount of water may be
left in the dispenser. This is normal.
NOTE: Use only liquid chlorine bleach in this dispenser.

5. Pour measured liquid fabric softener into the fabric softener
dispenser, if desired.
■ Do not overfill. The dispenser holds 3 oz (94 mL), or a
capful of fabric softener.
■ The fabric softener is dispensed in the final rinse. If Extra
Rinse is selected, the fabric softener will be dispensed
during the Extra Rinse.
■ Do not spill or drip any fabric softener onto the clothes.
■ At the end of the cycle, a small amount of water may be
left in the dispenser. This is normal.
NOTE: Use only liquid fabric softener in this dispenser.
6. Close the washer lid.
7. Press POWER. This turns on the washer display.
8. Select a Wash Cycle. See “Cycles.”
9. Select the desired Modifiers. See “Modifiers.”
10. Select an Option, if desired. See “Options.”
11. Select Delay Wash, if desired. See “Delay Wash” in the
“Modifiers” section.
12. Press START. The wash cycle begins, and the display shows
the estimated remaining time. The lid will lock.
NOTE: If you do not press Start within 5 minutes of pressing
Power, the washer automatically shuts off.


The way that I read the manual, your color safe bleach would go in the detergent dispenser. Your liquid chlorine bleach would go in the bleach dispenser.

Please rate this solution

Washer Monthly Maintenance Procedure:
This cycle uses higher water volumes in combination with liquid chlorine bleach to thoroughly clean the inside of your washing machine.

1. remove any clothing or items from washer
2. CLOSE door (duh)
3. open dispenser drawer and remove the detergent compartment and set aside. No laundry products will be added at this time. You will be required to add only liquid chlorine bleach at a later step.
4. For Kenmore Elite HE products press a specific combo of buttons.

• Select Rinse/Spin program
• select low spin speed
  
• select warm/cold water temp.
• select 2nd rinse option
• push the "end of cycle" signal button 4 times within 5 seconds to start the cycle

The machine will fill and run a short sensing cycle. This will take about 3 minutes.

Step 5

1. The washer will provide 4 short tones. Check the: ESTIMATED TIME REMAINING display for the codes indicated below:

• if "Ab" (add bleach) displayed in the estimated time remaining window (you'll hear 4 short tones) proceed to Step 6.

• if "rL" (remove load) displayed in the Estimated Time Remaining window an error tone will sound. The door will unlock.
  -open the door and remove the items from the washer.
  -continue the cycle by pressing the START button.
  
  NOTE: The water in the unit will dispense for a moment, then the door will unlock, lock again, and then the cycle will continue with another check for items in the washer.
  
  The machine will fill and run a short cycle to determine whether any items have been left in the washer. This will take approx 3 minutes.
  
  the washer will repeat Step 5 until it can determine that there are NO items n the washer and will display "Ab" (add bleach).

6. Add liquid chlorine bleach.

• If using the maintenance procedure for the first time, open the dispenser drawer and immediately add 1 cup liquid chlorine bleach to the Main Wash detergent compartment. The liquid bleach should immediately flow out of the dispenser.
  
• If doing a monthly maintenance procedure, open the dispenser drawer and immediately add 1/3 cup bleach to the Main Wash detergent compartment. The liquid chlorine bleach should immediately flow out of the dispenser.
  
  NOTES:
• Water will be flowing into the dispenser drawer when the bleach is added ... this is normal.
• Do not add any detergent to this cleaning cycle. Use of more than 1 cup of bleachw ill cause product damage over time.

7. Once the cleaning cycle has begun, allow the cycle to complete. An est cycle time will appear on the display.

8. After the cleaning cycle is complete, leave the door open, clightly to allow for better ventilation and drying of washer interior.

9. Replace the detergent compartment divider.

Just pull out the dispenser quickly. May be a bit hard to get out.