Kenmore Oven Shows F10 Error Code And Beeps. How To Fix?

Like many other types of household appliances, ovens are also designed to show you error codes if there’s a problem. One example is the F10 error code on Kenmore ovens.

The F10 error code on a Kenmore oven means that the appliance is experiencing runaway temperatures. In other words, the oven is overheating. This error can happen at any time, even when you’re not using the oven at all. It’s most likely caused by a faulty Electronic Oven Control (EOC) board. A dirty or faulty oven temperature sensor can also be to blame.

An overheating oven is a massive safety risk. So, keep reading to discover how you can troubleshoot and repair this problem.

What Does F10 Mean On A Kenmore Oven?

The F10 error code you see on your Kenmore oven means that the appliance is experiencing runaway temperatures. In simpler terms, that means the oven is overheating far beyond the temperatures that you have set for it.

This error can happen at any time the oven is plugged into its power source. So, not only can overheating happen during cooking and cleaning cycles, but it can also happen when the oven is not being used.

That’s because your Kenmore oven keeps you safe by continuously monitoring its temperature, even when the oven is at rest.

Read: 3 Reasons Why Oven Popped And Tripped Breaker

Accompanying Symptom – Loud Beeping

The F10 error code on a Kenmore oven is accompanied by a loud beeping noise. After all, an overheating oven is extremely dangerous not only to the appliance, but also to the safety of your home and everyone in it.

So, the beeping happens to warn everyone nearby that the oven is overheating.

Take Safety Precautions!

When you discover that your Kenmore oven is overheating (because of the F10 error code and loud beeping), you must disconnect the oven from its power source.

You can do that by removing its plug from the wall socket, or shutting off its dedicated circuit breaker if the oven is hard-wired to your household’s electrical system.

This safety precaution is critical for two reasons:

• To prevent fires: As mentioned above, an overheating oven is a massive safety and fire risk. By removing the power supply to the oven, you’ll allow it to cool down immediately and prevent any fires or injuries.
• To prepare for troubleshooting and repairs: You cannot troubleshoot and repair an oven while it’s still hot. Plus, it’s clear that your oven is not responding to its temperature controls. So, disconnecting starts the cool-down process to make the oven safe enough for you to work on it following the steps below.

Remember: a hot oven requires 30-90 minutes to cool down completely. To make the cool down process as efficient as possible, leave the oven door open. Be careful, though, as the door handle itself might also be hot because of the overheating oven.

Read: Top Reasons Why Oven Turns Off By Itself

Kenmore Oven F10 Error Code: Causes and Solutions

The F10 error code on a Kenmore oven is triggered by two causes: a failed control board (also known as an Electronic Oven Control (EOC) or a faulty temperature sensor.

Here’s a closer look at what each part does, how it fails, and how you can fix it.

Failed Electronic Oven Control (EOC) Board

What it is: The Electronic Oven Control (EOC) is similar to any main control board you’ll find in a household appliance. It’s a small printed circuit board (PCB) with plenty of tiny components attached to it, like electrical relays.

The control board is like the oven’s brain, because it controls each of the oven’s functions. The board sends signals and power to other oven components based on the oven settings you’ve chosen.

The EOC is one of the most critical components in your Kenmore oven. Without it, the oven wont function at all. Plus, any damage to it will cause problems like the overheating that triggered the F10 error code.

How it fails: The EOC can fail because of an electrical fault. For example, a power surge or short circuit could damage one or more components on the board. Besides that, excess heat or water that finds its way into the board’s housing could also cause damage.

In the case of the F10 error code, the affected relay is most likely one that’s for the heating element or temperature sensor.

How to fix it: Unfortunately, you can’t repair the affected relay, even if you figure out which one it is. The more practical solution is to replace the board with a new one. That way, you can rest assured that all of its components will be in good working order.

To replace the EOC, you’ll have to open its housing and access the board. You’ll find that there are plenty of wires connected to it that you’ll have to disconnect. 

Take a photo or notes of how those wires are connected, so you can replace them the same way with the new board.

Next, remove the damaged board and mount the new one in its place. Then, you can reconnect each of its wires and cover the housing again.

Faulty or Dirty Oven Temperature Sensor

What it is: The oven temperature sensor is a straightforward component. You’ll find it inside your oven compartment attached to the back wall, typically at one of the upper corners. This component is in the shape of a short metal rod.

The oven temperature sensor is designed to continuously measure your oven’s temperature, even when you’re not using it. It plays a crucial role in making sure that your food items are cooked based on your set temperature and also in preventing overheating and fires.

How it fails: The oven temperature sensor is exposed to the conditions inside the oven. Firstly, that means it can get dirty from coming into contact with grease and other food bits inside the oven.

Secondly, the sensor can get faulty from the repetitive process of the oven heating up and cooling down every time you use it. This is especially true as you use the oven for many years, because its components break down from experiencing prolonged wear and tear.

Each of those two conditions can cause different problems that trigger the F10 error code, which are:

• When the sensor is dirty: When the oven temperature sensor gets dirty, it cannot measure heat accurately. Firstly, the sensor might mistakenly sense that the oven is overheating and signal it to the main control board, triggering the F10 error code. Secondly, the sensor might be underestimating the temperature. That causes the heating element to stay on for too long and overheat, also triggering the F10 code.
• When the sensor is faulty: When the temperature sensor is faulty, it will mistakenly sense that the oven is overheating even if it’s not being used. The signals it sends to the control board will cause the F10 code to appear and the beeping sound to happen.

How to fix it: Firstly, check that the oven temperature sensor is clean. Let the oven cool down (for 30-90 minutes) and then wipe the sensor clean with a piece of cloth.

Suppose the F10 error and beeping returns even after that. Then, you should replace the sensor entirely.

That is a very straightforward repair. Firstly, unthread the screws holding the temperature sensor in place.

Next, pull the sensor out gently to expose its wire harness. You must disconnect that wire harness before removing the sensor from the oven.

Then, take your new oven temperature sensor and connect it to the same wire harness. Finally, tuck the wire harness into the hole and screw the sensor into place.

Read: How To Clean An Oven Quickly

How Do I Stop My Kenmore Oven From Beeping?

The beeping that you hear from your Kenmore oven is a warning signal that there’s a significant problem needing your attention. So, you can’t turn the beeping off unless you clear the error code that’s causing it.

To prevent it from beeping again, you must fix the root cause of the problem. In the meantime, you can stop the beeping by clearing the error code.

To clear the error code on your Kenmore oven, press the Clear or Stop button on the control panel. Alternatively, you can also reset the oven following the steps below.

Read: Why Electric Oven Not Working But Stove Top Is?

How To Reset Kenmore Oven?

To reset your Kenmore oven, you must cycle its power. Doing so will clear its memory, and any active error codes that it might be storing.

To do that, follow these steps:

1. Firstly, unplug the oven from its power supply. Typically, that means removing its plug from the wall socket. Some households have their ovens hardwired, so you might have to switch off the dedicated circuit breaker instead.
2. Next, leave your oven alone for at least 25 minutes. During this time, the electrical charge inside will dissipate naturally and the oven’s memory will become clear.
3. Lastly, plug the oven in and continue using it like normal.

Read: Circuit Breaker Is ON But No Power To The Outlet?