F1 Error Codes on Electric Ovens

Whatever brand of electric range or stove you own, it will probably give you an "F1" code at some point. The F1 fault is a possible indication of one of the following failures:

1. The temperature sensor or probe has gone bad.

2. The oven control digital keypad has failed—which, unfortunately, is an integral part of the EOC board.

3. The Electronic Oven Control or EOC board has gone bad.

There is, however, a definite possibility that the reason for this error code to show up in the first place could be the result of some sort of a glitch on the electronic oven control board, including the keypad.

So before replacing any part, there is one very simple test or procedure that should be done, and that is a range reset.

There may not be a “reset button” to press, but the procedure is quite simple. Even though there is a chance that it will not work out, it doesn’t cost anything to try besides a half-hour of your time.

1. Disconnect from the outlet or switch the circuit breaker off.

2. Leave it off for about 20 minutes, then restore the power.

If the error code doesn’t reappear, you’re good to go. Otherwise, just keep on reading to find out what’s going on with your stove or wall oven.

Note #1: You should be aware, though, that even if the F1 error code goes away, it can be an intermittent occurrence and become more frequent until complete failure of the component occurs.

Electric Oven Error Codes and Self-Clean Feature

Error codes such as F0, F1, F8, FF, and probably a few more point to problems having to do with the electronic control board and the keypad.

The F1 error, however, is by far the most prevalent error code encountered. If the panel board cannot be “reset,” you’ll likely need to replace the control board.

Such breakdowns are very common with cooking ranges and ovens, and with very good reason.

Since they’re appliances basically designed to generate heat at the stove-top level as well as within the oven cavity, the exposure of all of its electrical components to excessive amounts of heat is unavoidable, and when you start considering that a self-clean cycle heats up the oven between 800 and 1000ºF (427-538ºC)—compared to 500ºF (260ºC) for broiling—and the fact that the self-clean cycle can be used frequently enough, it is no surprise that the lifespan is so short for its electronic boards and components.

But regardless of the cause of overheating, being either internal or from external sources, heat always has damaging effects, either long-term or shorter-termed, on electronic and electrical components, and the failure of the electronics will happen eventually even without help from the self-clean cycle, that the cycle simply speeds up the failure process.

Note #2: Even though all stoves and ovens control board failures are assigned a specific error code, these codes are not based on a nationally or internationally established industry standard, but instead vary in definition from one brand name or model to the next, so the manufacturers often attach a technical data sheet describing the meaning of the error codes inside the control panel.

Replacing the Electronic Oven Control Board (EOC)

The electronic oven control board is secured to the control panel and can be accessed by removing the back panel from the range, or the front control panel from a wall oven.

Step 1 - Unplug the range from the wall or turn the circuit breaker off at the main breaker panel.

Step 2 - Pull the range away from the wall.

Step 3 - For a Wall Oven open the oven door and look up under the front panel and you will see three screws overhead. Remove all three screws. For a range, remove all the screws retaining the top back panel and set the cover aside.

Step 4 - On the wall oven, pull the front panel from the appliance.

Step 5 - Remove all the screws securing the control board to the control panel and pull the board away from the control panel, leaving the wiring and connectors in place.

Step 6 - For this next step, you should get and use an anti-static wrist strap to ground yourself to the appliance’s chassis. This will prevent you from inadvertently discharging static electricity into some component on the PC board and “frying” it.

Step 7 - Install the new EOC board in its place on the control panel and secure it with the screws.

Step 8 - One at a time, unplug each harness cable from the old EOC board and reconnect to the proper connector on the new board. Proceed very carefully, as the connectors usually have a built-in locking mechanism.

Step 9 - Once all the wiring is reconnected in its proper locations, install the front control panel or the back cover in place, securing them with their screws.

Step 10 - Plug the appliance back in and push it back in place or/and turn the circuit breaker back on.

You can now turn the appliance on for an overall assessment of your repair job. Just keep in mind from now on that whatever the lifespan of your new board would be under normal operation will be greatly reduced every time you use the self-clean cycle of your oven. Use it wisely.

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