Range Error Code F10 – Runaway Oven Temperature: What Causes It & How to Fix It

Understanding the Problem

What F10 means: Many ranges/ovens use code F10 to indicate the oven temperature is out of range or the control sees a runaway temperature condition. That usually comes from a bad oven temperature sensor (thermistor), a shorted wiring/harness, a shorted heating element, or a relay on the electronic control board that’s stuck closed. Step‑by‑step diagnostics and repair (practical): 1) Safety first: Unplug the range or switch OFF the breaker powering it. Confirm the range has no power before touching wiring. 2) Locate the oven temperature sensor: Open the oven door. The sensor is typically a thin probe near the back wall of the oven cavity, held with two screws and connected to a 2‑wire harness. 3) Visual check: Inspect the sensor and harness for burned, broken or melted wires and loose connectors. Repair any damaged wiring or connectors before replacing parts. 4) Test the sensor with a multimeter (power off): Remove the sensor connector and measure resistance across the two sensor pins. At room temp (~70°F / 21°C) most oven sensors read about 1,000–1,200 ohms (roughly ~1.1 kΩ). If the sensor reads open (OL) or a value far outside that range, replace the sensor. 5) Check for short to ground (power off): With the sensor disconnected, measure between each sensor lead and the oven chassis (ground). You should see very high resistance / open. A low resistance indicates a shorted sensor or shorted wiring. 6) Confirm behavior under power (CAUTION — high voltage): If the sensor checks OK, restore power and set the oven to a bake temperature. Carefully observe whether the bake element receives continuous voltage when it should be cycled. If the element gets power even when the control is off or the oven is set to a low temp and it stays on, the control board relay may be stuck closed. If you are not comfortable with live voltage checks, skip this and proceed to component swap testing. 7) Test the bake/broil element (power off): Check element continuity with a meter. Also check for short to chassis. A shorted element can sometimes cause odd control behavior but is less commonly the sole cause of F10 than the sensor or control board. 8) Replace the oven temperature sensor first (simple & inexpensive): Order the correct sensor for your model. To replace: cut power, remove screws holding the sensor from inside the oven, pull the sensor forward, unplug the 2‑pin harness, install the new sensor, reconnect and reassemble. Power on and verify the error is gone and temperature control is normal. 9) If replacing the sensor doesn’t fix it: suspect the electronic control board (infinite switch/relay) or wiring harness. Inspect harness connectors at the control board for corrosion/shorts. If the control board’s relays are welded closed or the board is failing, replace the control board. 10) After replacement: Allow the oven to reach setpoint and check stability. If temp still runs high, you may also need to perform an oven calibration (refer to manufacturer service menu) or check door seal and ventilation. Safety note: Live voltage checks expose you to dangerous mains voltage. If you’re not experienced with electrical troubleshooting, replace the sensor first (low cost and quick). For control board or live testing, consider hiring a pro.

Common Symptoms

F10 error displayed; oven overheats or won’t regulate temperature; oven reaches a much higher temperature than set; oven runs continuously (never cycles off); unstable or wildly fluctuating oven temperature.

Common Causes

• Faulty oven temperature sensor (thermistor) with incorrect resistance or short to chassis
• Wiring harness or connector damaged/shorted at the sensor or control board
• Stuck/failed relay or circuitry on the electronic control board causing element to stay powered

Popular Parts That Fix This Problem

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Frequently Asked Questions