GE Appliances Microwave Error Code F2

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: July 19, 2026

⚠ Medium Severity 👨‍🔧 Call a Pro

Shorted thermal sensor

The most common cause of the F2 error on a GE Appliances microwave is shorted cavity thermal sensor (~60% of cases); start with: clear and retry.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$0 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $120–$250 Save $120+ by doing it yourself

GE Appliances Microwave error code F2 on the display panel — How the F2 code appears on a GE Appliances microwave display

What Does Error Code F2 Mean on a GE Appliances Microwave?

Shorted thermal sensor.

F2 fires when the control board reads the cavity thermal sensor circuit as shorted — a resistance far below the sensor's normal range — which the board interprets as an impossibly high temperature. To protect the cavity, it may block convection functions or abort a cooking cycle. It is the mirror of F1, which flags an open (disconnected) sensor circuit; F2 specifically indicates a short in the sensor element, its harness, or a connector, rather than an over-temperature event or board timing fault.

Models affected: GE microwaves with a cavity thermal sensor, chiefly convection-capable over-the-range and built-in models

What owners report: Owners commonly report F2 appearing at power-up or when starting convection or sensor-cook programs, sometimes after a spike or steam exposure. A power-cycle at the breaker occasionally clears a transient reading, but an immediate return usually points to a genuine shorted sensor or pinched harness needing service.

What Causes Error Code F2?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

1

Shorted cavity thermal sensor 60% of cases
2

Pinched or chafed harness wire 25% of cases
3

Control board fault 15% of cases

How to Fix GE Appliances Microwave Error Code F2

👨‍🔧 Call a Pro Est. time: 1–3 hours

⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.

1

Clear and retry

Press Cancel/Off, then retry. If F2 returns immediately, the short is hard.
2

Power-reset

Breaker off (or unplug) for 60 seconds.
3

Book service

Sensor and harness access requires opening the case — a technician job on microwaves.

⚠️ Do not open a microwave case — the HV capacitor stores a lethal charge.

How to Reset Error Code F2

Press Cancel/Off to clear, or power-cycle at the breaker for 60 seconds.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

Same safety rule as every internal microwave fault: case-off work is for technicians. If the unit is over ~8 years old, replacement often beats the service call on countertop models — OTR models are usually worth fixing.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $120–$250

Related Error Codes

Open thermal sensor — cavity temperature not detected

⚠ Medium Severity

Shorted touchpad — keypad fault

⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code F2 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows F2 →

LG Oven F2

Oven over-temperature — exceeded maximum safe temperature

Whirlpool Dryer F02

Keypad / user interface fault — stuck key detected

Whirlpool Oven F2

Oven temperature too high — over-temperature fault

Miele Washing Machine F2

NTC temperature sensor open-circuited

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your GE Appliances Microwave:

🔩

Search PartSelect

GE Appliances Microwave repair parts

🔧

Search RepairClinic

Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More GE Appliances Microwave Error Codes

F4 Open humidity sensor — sensor cooking disabled

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my GE Appliances Microwave when error F2 appears? +

You often can for a cycle or two, but the sensor issue behind F2 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.

What most commonly causes F2 on a GE Appliances Microwave? +

Across reported GE Appliances microwave repairs, the most frequent is shorted cavity thermal sensor (60% of cases), pinched or chafed harness wire (25%), then control board fault (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.

F2 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +

A reset only clears the stored F2 fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — clear and retry, then power-reset — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a repair most owners hand to a technician.

How much does it cost to fix GE Appliances Microwave error F2? +

A DIY repair typically runs $0–$0 in parts, versus $120–$250 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $120. Expect the work to take a full service visit.

Which GE Appliances Microwave models show error F2? +

F2 is documented on GE microwaves with a cavity thermal sensor, chiefly convection-capable over-the-range and built-in models. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

• GE Appliances Support — official manufacturer documentation
• Our editorial & verification policy

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: July 19, 2026.

← All GE Appliances Microwave Error Codes ← All GE Appliances Error Codes