Whirlpool Oven Error Code F3

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

⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Open oven temperature sensor — sensor circuit open

The most common cause of the F3 error on a Whirlpool oven is oven temperature sensor (RTD) failed open (~60% of cases); start with: power cycle.

💰 DIY cost: $20–$50 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$320 Save $130+ by doing it yourself

Whirlpool Oven error code F3 on the display panel — How the F3 code appears on a Whirlpool oven display

What Does Error Code F3 Mean on a Whirlpool Oven?

Open oven temperature sensor — sensor circuit open.

F3 fires when the Electronic Range Control reads an open circuit on the oven temperature sensor (RTD) input — resistance appears infinite rather than the expected ~1080 ohms at room temperature. Without a valid reading the control cannot regulate bake or broil heat and locks out. It differs from F4, which flags a shorted or out-of-range (low-resistance) sensor, and from F2, which relates to over-temperature or keypad faults rather than a broken sensor connection.

Models affected: Whirlpool electric and gas ranges/ovens using a two-digit Electronic Range Control fault system, including models such as WFE525S0JZ and WFG320M0BS

What owners report: Owners commonly report F3 appearing at startup or mid-bake, sometimes after cleaning behind the range where the sensor connector can be bumped loose. A brief power cycle occasionally clears a one-off glitch, but a persistent code usually points to reseating the connector or swapping the inexpensive sensor as the quick win.

What Causes Error Code F3?

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

1

Oven temperature sensor (RTD) failed open 60% of cases
2

Sensor harness/connector broken or disconnected 30% of cases
3

Control board sensor input fault 10% of cases

How to Fix Whirlpool Oven Error Code F3

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min

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

1

Power cycle

Turn off the circuit breaker for 5 minutes, then restore power.
2

Test the oven temperature sensor

Check the RTD resistance — about 1080–1100 ohms at room temperature; an open/infinite reading confirms a failed sensor.

🔩 Multimeter 🔩 Whirlpool oven temperature sensor ($20–$50)

⚠️ Unplug oven before servicing.
3

Inspect the sensor harness

Reconnect or repair a broken sensor connector at the back of the oven cavity.

⚠️ Unplug oven before servicing.

How to Reset Error Code F3

Power cycle 5 minutes. If F3 persists, test and replace the oven temperature sensor.

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

Full Whirlpool oven reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If the sensor reads correctly and the harness is sound but F3 persists, the control board sensor input has failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$320

Related Error Codes

Shorted oven temperature sensor — sensor reading short

⚠ Medium Severity

Oven temperature too high — over-temperature fault

⚠ High Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code F3 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows F3 →

Samsung Microwave F-3

Touchpad/membrane failure

LG Oven F3

Oven temperature sensor short circuit

LG Microwave F-3

Temperature sensor error — over-temperature detected

GE Appliances Oven F3

Oven temperature sensor open circuit

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Whirlpool Oven:

🔩

Search PartSelect

Whirlpool Oven repair parts

🔧

Search RepairClinic

Step-by-step video guides

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

More Whirlpool Oven Error Codes

F2-E0 Shorted keypad — stuck key on control panel F2-E1 Keypad/touchpad disconnected from control board F3-E0 Oven temperature sensor open circuit F3-E1 Oven temperature sensor short circuit F3-E2 Oven over-temperature — temp exceeded safe limit F5-E0 Door switch failure — latch not sensing door position

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Whirlpool Oven when error F3 appears? +

You often can for a cycle or two, but the sensor issue behind F3 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.

What most commonly causes F3 on a Whirlpool Oven? +

Across reported Whirlpool oven repairs, the most frequent is oven temperature sensor (RTD) failed open (60% of cases), sensor harness/connector broken or disconnected (30%), then control board sensor input fault (10%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.

F3 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +

A reset only clears the stored F3 fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — power cycle, then test the oven temperature sensor — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.

How much does it cost to fix Whirlpool Oven error F3? +

A DIY repair typically runs $20–$50 in parts, versus $150–$320 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $130. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.

Which Whirlpool Oven models show error F3? +

F3 is documented on Whirlpool electric and gas ranges/ovens using a two-digit Electronic Range Control fault system, including models such as WFE525S0JZ and WFG320M0BS. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

• Whirlpool Product Help — official manufacturer documentation
• Our editorial & verification policy

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

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