What this actually means
Understanding the fault
Many electric ovens regulate temperature with a resistance sensor probe in the cavity. The control reads that sensor and cycles the heating elements to maintain the set temperature. A sensor that drifts, opens, or shorts can therefore produce temperature faults, but heating elements, wiring, relays, controls, and power-supply problems can create similar symptoms depending on the model.
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Free checks before you buy any part
Work down the list in order and stop when the symptom clears.
- 1
Watch the bake element during preheat
On models with an exposed element, look for obvious blistering, breaks, or uneven heating during preheat. Hidden elements cannot be judged visually, and bake and broil circuits are separate on many ovens, so use the service information for the exact model before concluding an element has failed.
- 2
Check for a self-clean lockout
An interrupted self-clean cycle can leave the door latch motor mid-travel and the oven locked out entirely. Cut power at the breaker for five minutes and see whether the latch resets.
- 3
Verify both legs of the breaker
Like a dryer, an electric range runs on 240V. Losing one leg often leaves the surface burners or the clock working while the oven does nothing.
- 4
Compare actual temperature to the setpoint
Put an oven thermometer on the center rack and preheat to a set temperature, then compare after it stabilises. A consistent gap points at the sensor or calibration. Many ovens allow a calibration offset in the settings for small errors.
- 5
Confirm gas supply on gas ranges
If the surface burners light but the oven does not, supply is fine and the oven igniter is the likely fault. A weak igniter glows but never draws enough current to open the safety valve.
No code on the display?
When your appliance shows nothing at all
An oven that heats but runs consistently hot or cold may have a sensor, calibration, airflow, or control issue, so start by comparing actual temperature with the setpoint. An oven that does not heat at all points the diagnosis toward power, heating components, ignition, door-lock state, wiring, or controls depending on the model.
Where to look
Common causes to check
- 1Open or drifting oven temperature sensor probe
- 2Burned-out bake or broil element
- 3Door latch stuck after an interrupted self-clean cycle
- 4One leg of the 240V supply lost
- 5Weak oven igniter on gas models
- 6Failed electronic oven control board
- 7Stuck or shorted touchpad key locking the control
Know where to stop
When to call a professional
Gas ranges and 240V circuits both carry real risk. Element and sensor replacement is within reach for a careful DIYer with power off at the breaker, but anything involving the gas valve or safety circuit should go to a licensed technician.
Read the full safety disclaimerMatch your code
10 related Oven / Range error codes
If your appliance displayed a code, find it here for the diagnostic sequence specific to your brand. Codes vary by model, so confirm the full model number before ordering any part.
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10 guides found
Code F10
F10 indicates the control board senses oven temperature rising above safe limits or heating uncontrollably.
Code F30
F30 triggers when the control board loses connection with the oven temperature sensor harness.
Code F2 / F20
F2 or F20 indicates that oven temperature exceeded a preset safety threshold.
Code F3 / F4
GE documents F3 and F4 as oven-temperature-sensor faults on applicable ranges and wall ovens.
Code F30
Code F30 indicates the electronic control board senses an open circuit (infinite resistance) in the oven sensor circuit.
Code F3 E0
F3 E0 indicates the control board senses an open temperature sensor circuit in the upper or lower oven cavity.
Code F3
F3 error signals that the main control detects an open circuit in the oven thermistor circuit.
Code F9
F9 code indicates the oven failed to heat up above 150°F after 5 minutes of active preheating call.
Code C-20
C-20 (or C-21) signals the main control board detects abnormal sensor resistance (short or open circuit).
Code F3 E0
F3 E0 signals that the main control unit detects an open sensor circuit in the oven temperature probe circuit.