If you are the owner of a GE Oven one of the most frustrating things to deal with is an F3 error. Not only is it not listed as a problem in the user manual, what is even more frustrating is that it also stops all current oven operations from working which can happen when you are in the middle of preparing a meal. To save yourself time and money, here is a quick guide to help you solve an F3 error on your GE oven.
Are GE Appliances Good Quality?
GE Appliances is one of the largest home appliance manufacturers in the world. Over the past 25 years, they have manufactured one hundred refrigerator models and numerous other innovative household products to improve the comfort and lifestyle of consumers. As a brand, they are committed to creating quality products that are reliable and made to last. GE is a popular choice when it comes to refrigerators due to its impressive range of design styles, innovative features, and durability.
What Does an F3 Error on a GE Oven Mean?
When you see an F3 Error code flashing on your GE oven it usually means that the sensor has encountered a problem that needs to be attended to. As a safety measure, all current operations will be shut off. According to the Repair Clinic, an F3 error generally means that a circuit has either been broken or is exposed.
How Do I Reset my GE Oven When an Error has Occurred?
The process of resetting a GE oven is generally similar to resetting any processor for example on a laptop computer. It is usually accomplished by shutting down, switching off, and restarting the unit in order to reboot the system.
GE Appliance manufacturers recommend turning off the breaker switch in the main panel that controls the receptacle of the oven. You should leave the switch in the off position for at least one minute before attempting to switch it back on again. This is a very important step and should be done even if the clock or light on the oven range is still working. As a precaution, you should ensure that the electronic clock on the range goes off. This will confirm that the power supply to the appliance is actually turned off.
How do I Troubleshoot Problems with my GE Oven?
Troubleshooting is an essential step to take whenever a problem occurs on your GE stove. Not only is it important for proper maintenance but it will also improve the overall performance of the appliance and save you time and money before calling in a professional technician. Here are 7 easy steps you can do to troubleshoot your GE oven and how to solve some commonly occurring problems with GE ovens.
Step 1
If the oven does not heat up but the burners are working, check that the oven controls are set on the bake or broil program. Then check that the oven door is unlocked. To do this, locate the unlocking lever and move it to the ‘unlock’ position.
Step 2
If the stove is not producing any heat, check that the oven knobs are set in the correct position. At this stage, you can remove the knobs to inspect them. Make sure that you re-install them correctly before continuing.
Step 3
Check the fuse of the oven. Turn off the oven and unplug the stove at the power source. The fuse can usually be located at the back of the unit in the main fuse box. The location may differ depending on the model of your stove so check the user manual to find out exactly where the fuse box for your particular model is located.
Remove the fuse and inspect it. If it looks brown, black, or has a smoky appearance, it means that you will have to replace it with a new fuse. We recommend purchasing a new fuse from a hardware store or a dedicated appliance outlet. Take the fuse along with you so that a store representative can help you select the correct replacement. At this stage it is a good idea to purchase an extra fuse to keep on hand should the problem occur again in the future.
Step 4
Replace the old fuse by inserting the new one into the fuse box. Make sure that it snaps into place as you push it into the holder.
Step 5
Check that the burner caps on the oven are properly fitted to their respective compartments. It is important that these burner caps are properly seated so that they do not wobble. Next, you should check the burner heads. If there is any accumulated dirt or debris present, clean the burner heads by removing all traces of dirt.
Step 6
Check the LED display on the oven. If you see error codes flashing that range between F0 to F9 it may indicate that the key panel is damaged. Error codes flashing in this range could mean that the electronic control panel needs to be replaced. This is a job for a qualified appliance technician who can inspect and repair any problems related to the electronic controls and the key panel.
Step 7
If the error code “Bad Line” is flashing you should disconnect the unit from the power source immediately and call for a technician to come and attend to the problem. This type of error code usually appears when there is a problem with the wiring of the unit or if the unit has not been wired correctly.
When an “FC” or “FD” code is flashing it means that the receptacle or probe needs to be replaced. Working on these components is a job that only a qualified technician should perform. To avoid any risk and to safeguard your stove you should call in a trained technician to replace these components.
How Can I Fix an F3 Error on my GE Oven?
According to Hunker.com, you can fix an F3 error on a GE oven by installing a new oven sensor. GE manufacturers have their own specific sensor model that is compatible with other brands of ovens. Oven sensors can be found for sale at most local appliance repair shops or you can purchase them online at shops like Part Wizards.
Before your buy, a new sensor, first check the manufacturer’s warranty for your GE stove to see if your warranty is still active and whether the sensor is one of the parts covered under the warranty. If this is the case you will be able to claim for a repair to successfully replace the GE sensor on your oven without spending any money.
If you decide to install a new oven sensor you should refer to the user manual to locate the exact location of the oven temperature sensor on your particular model of oven. Before doing anything you should ensure that the oven is switched off and the unit is unplugged from the power source before proceeding with the installation. If you do not feel entirely comfortable with doing the job yourself you should hire a professional appliance repairman to install the part for you.
We hope that with the help of this quick guide you will be able to successfully solve the F3 Error problem on your GE oven. If not, contact a professional to come out and assess the source of the problem and do the necessary repair work for you.