How to Undo the Safety Lock on a Kenmore Elite Range

Kenmore Elite Ranges are designed with a lockout feature that automatically locks the oven door shut and makes the oven and cooktop controls inoperable. This feature can be used either during regular operation of the oven or during an oven's self-cleaning procedure.

The lockout feature provides consumers with young children in the house peace of mind, as electric ranges can be dangerous appliances for young children to play near. You can activate the lockout feature whenever you are not using the oven or stove, and reactivate normal operation when you’re ready to do some baking or cooking. If the door lock is malfunctioning, it's crucial to know how to undo the safety lock.

Using the Oven Lockout Feature

Engaging the Lockout Feature

1. Press the "STOP" button on the keypad and hold it down for 3 seconds.

Lockout Confirmation

2. Look for “Loc” to appear on the oven display. While the oven door locks itself, you will hear a beep and a “DOOR LOCKED” indicator will flash. Once the oven door is locked, the “DOOR LOCKED” indicator will stop flashing but will remain on, along with “Loc.”

Deactivating Lockout

3. Reactivate normal oven operation by pressing and holding the STOP button on the keypad for 3 seconds.

Normal Function Restored

4. Listen for another beep to sound; as the oven door unlocks itself, “DOOR LOCKED” will again flash in the display. Both “Loc” and “DOOR LOCKED” should disappear from the display, indicating that you can open the oven door and use the oven controls once again.

Using the Cooktop Lockout Feature

Locking the Cooktop

1. Press the button on the keypad that looks like a clock with an oval surrounding it. Hold it down for 3 seconds.

Cooktop Lockout Confirmation

2. Listen for two consecutive beeps and look for the Cooktop Locked indicator light to turn on. If you hear three consecutive beeps, make sure all cooktop surface elements are turned off and hold down the same button for another 3 seconds.

Restoring Normal Cooktop Function

3. Reactivate normal cooktop operation by holding down the button that looks like a clock with an oval surrounding it for 3 seconds, listening for two consecutive beeps and looking for the Cooktop Locked indicator light to turn off.

Tip

The oven lockout feature does not affect the oven clock, timer or interior oven lights. Starting the self-cleaning function in the oven automatically engages the lockout feature of both the oven and the cooktop. When the self-cleaning cycle is complete, the lockout feature should disable itself; if it doesn’t, follow the directions above to manually do so for both the oven and the cooktop.