Water remains hard; no noticeable softening even after regeneration

Safety first: No electrical work is required for initial checks. Use caution when handling resin and chemicals.

Step-by-step checks:

• 1. Verify settings and salt:
  • Confirm hardness and capacity are programmed correctly.
  • Ensure the salt tank has adequate clean pellet salt and no salt bridge.
• 2. Check bypass:
  • Verify the Kenmore bypass valve is fully in “Service” position.
• 3. Test water:
  • Use a hardness test kit on softened water after a fresh manual regeneration.
  • If hardness remains high, resin is likely exhausted or fouled.
• 4. Resin replacement:
  • Shut off water, depressurize, and disconnect the softener from plumbing.
  • Lay the tank on its side and remove the valve head.
  • Siphon or vacuum out old resin and gravel.
  • Inspect the distributor tube and bottom screen for cracks; replace if damaged.
  • Refill with new cation exchange resin and gravel per Kenmore specifications.
  • Reassemble, reconnect, and perform multiple backwash/rinse cycles before returning to service.