Kenmore
Complete Power Loss or Upper Thermostat / ECO Trip
No hot water at all from a Kenmore electric water heater (no error code, analog thermostat model)
Advertisements
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Advertisements
Possible Causes
Tripped breaker, loose field wiring at junction box, tripped high-limit reset (ECO), failed upper thermostat, failed upper heating element
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Turn OFF the breaker before opening any covers. Verify power is off with a non-contact tester.
- Check breaker: Inspect the electrical panel and reset the double-pole breaker for the water heater. If it trips again, do not keep resetting—investigate further.
- Verify voltage: At the heater junction box, confirm ~240V between hot legs (qualified persons only).
- Reset ECO: Remove the upper access panel and insulation. Press the red reset button on the upper thermostat until it clicks.
- Test upper thermostat and element: With power OFF, use a multimeter to check continuity through the upper thermostat and resistance of the upper element. Replace a failed upper thermostat or upper heating element as needed.
- Restore power and test: After reassembly, restore power and allow several hours for water to heat.
Advertisements
Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Upper Thermostat
Check Price on Amazon
We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Advertisements