How do i remove the drawer to clean it out the bleach, softener, detergent dispensers?

Fiona, could it be that your'e using Liquid color-safe bleach as it is thicker than chlorine bleach and will not dispense properly from the chlorine bleach dispenser?
And did you Remove the inserts from the drawer. The inserts are the detergent selector and covers of the softener and bleach dispenser.. and clean and replace them?

Tis really hard not being there and being able to see the unit.
But thought I'd give you these suggestions.

Best to you.

Hi
This is a result of the siphoning action and is part of the normal operation of the washer. Water
may be removed by removing the dispenser drawer and draining
water into the empty drum or sink.

Outside
• When washing is completed, wipe top and sides of washer with a damp cloth. Turn water
faucets off to prevent pressure build-up in the hoses.
• As needed, clean the cabinet with mild soap and water. Never use harsh, gritty or
abrasive cleansers. If door or console becomes stained, clean with diluted chlorine bleach
[1/2 cup (120 ml) in 1 quart (.95 L) water]. Rinse several times with clear water.
• Remove glue residue from tape or labels with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent.
Or, touch residue with the sticky side of the tape or label.
• Before moving the washer, place a strip of cardboard or thin fiberboard under the front
leveling legs to prevent floor damage.
Cleaning the Dispenser Drawer Area
Detergent and fabric softener may build up in the dispenser drawer. Residue should be removed
once or twice a month.
• Remove the drawer by pulling the drawer out until it stops. (Figure 1)
• Reach back into the left rear corner of the drawer cavity and press down firmly on the lock
tab (left rear portion of the drawer). Pull out the drawer. (Figure 2)
• Remove the insert from the bleach and fabric softener compartments. (Figure 3)
• Rinse the drawer and inserts with hot tap water to remove traces of accumulated powders
and liquids. Large amounts of fabric softener residue may indicate improper dilution or
more frequent cleaning is required.
• To clean the drawer opening, use a small brush to clean the recess. Remove all residue
from the upper and lower parts of the recess. (Figure 4)
• Replace the insert pressing the "X" to lock it in place. Return the dispenser drawer.
Inside
• Remove items from the washer as soon as the cycle ends. Excess wrinkling, color transfer,
and odors may develop in items left in the washer.
• Before cleaning the washer interior, unplug the electrical power cord to avoid electrical
shock hazards.
• Dry around the washer door opening, flexible gasket, and door glass. These areas should
always be clean to ensure a water tight seal.
• When extremely soiled items have been washed, a dirty residue may remain on the drum.
Remove this by wiping the drum with a nonabrasive household cleanser. Rinse thoroughly
with water.
• Periodically, wipe dry the bottom of the flexible gasket to remove lint and other debris.
• The plastic drum vanes may become stained from fabric dye. Clean these parts with a
nonabrasive household cleanser. This prevents dye transfer to future loads.

try this out for more ref check the operations mannual page 7

the drawer is removeable, there is a concave tab where you depress firmly down; to bypass drawer stop. remove and clean the drawer and all compartments under hot water. also, now clean inside the dispenser cavity itself. finally. remove both hoses on back of machine and clean the inlet screens.

I'm having almost the same problem - the bleach & softener both will NOT dispense, but (LUCKILY) the detergent does dispense on mine, for now.

In order to get the solutions (bleach, softener, detergent) to go into the washer, the water needs to pour through the dispenser somehow. Dry means NOT working (mothmanmeg).

I need help, too!! We tried taking the drawer out & cleaning, no luck.

Water floods the dispenser compartments at the start of the cycle to dilute/dissolve the softener, bleach, and detergent. The reason why water is in the compartment after the cycle is that, the detergent, the softener, and/or the bleach does not flow into the tub properly. It's either the dispenser assembly is clogged or excessive amount of detergent, softener or bleach is used. Clean the dispenser assembly and make sure to use no more than two tablespoons of powdered HE detergent or one-and-a-half ounces if liquid HE detergent.

1. Unscrew the two screws on the back of the top plate then pull it back then upward.
2. Pull out the dispenser drawer.
3. Unscrew the two screws then push the dispenser assembly out.
4. Unscrew the nut at the lower part of the dispenser.
5. Remove the four connectors from the valves.
6. Unscrew the two screws from the back of the cabinet.
7. Reinstall the dispenser assembly in reverse order.
   

Yes the system is cloghed. Pull the detergent drawer out and clean the drawers housing. try using some bleach. It allways helps.

BE ADVICED: after using bleach run quick wash cycle on without any load, it's just to get rid of all bleech remains and not to damage your clothes

Update me about your progress

Call the tech. one came out this week and said the system solenoid is always engaged causing the bleach and detergent to dispense when drawer is pushed in

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.

I've had this same problem and solved it by removing the detergent/bleach/softener dispenser drawer from the machine and seriously cleaning out all of the "gunk" from the drawer and from inside the drawer area on washer. Sometimes I have had to repeat the cleaning and then the fabric softener begins dispensing again. I have model # 417.43042200 but it may work on all the Kenmore front loading washers.

remove dispenser drawer with rag and bleach water mix wash as good as you can the top of dispenser housing aroud holes to remove build up ..if problem is still there entire assembly will need to be removed and flushed thoroughly build up is blocking the holes over the dispenser cups