What causes GE Oven F2?

A faulty oven temperature sensor (RTD probe) reading too high. iFixit says a sensor should read about 1,100 ohms at room temperature and to replace it below 1,050 or above 1,150 ohms. A loose, corroded or burnt connection in the sensor wiring between the probe and the control board, which adds resistance the control reads as extra heat. A relay on the electronic oven control stuck closed, so the bake or broil element keeps heating (iFixit notes this real overheat is common, and F2 showing while the oven is off points to the control). A failed or blocked cooling fan on models that use one, which iFixit says can trigger F2 and damage the board. Extreme heat during a self-clean cycle.

How do I fix GE Oven F2?

Touch Clear/Off (or Cancel/Off) and let the oven cool for one hour, as GE's owner's manual directs for any F code, then try it again. If the code stays, switch off the range's circuit breaker or fuse for a minute or two and turn it back on. GE says this sometimes clears the code. If F2 returns, turn the oven off at the breaker until it's serviced. GE says you can switch it back on just long enough to use the cooktop, then turn it off again. Never leave an oven that keeps heating with no cycle set plugged in; switch off the breaker and don't use it. If you're comfortable with a meter, with the power off, unplug the oven temperature sensor and measure it. iFixit lists about 1,000 ohms at 32°F and 1,100 ohms at 77°F, and says to replace a sensor outside 1,050 to 1,150 ohms at room temperature or one with continuity to its metal shell. With the sensor checking good, look over its wiring and connectors back to the control for corrosion, melted insulation or loose crimps, per iFixit's guide.

When should I call a pro for GE Oven F2?

F2 keeps returning after a power reset and a one-hour cool-down. The oven heats on its own with no cycle set or the elements stay on after you turn it off, which points to a stuck control relay. F2 appeared during self-clean and you see heat damage, discoloration or melted parts. The temperature sensor and wiring test good, so the electronic oven control likely needs replacing. The range is under warranty; GE's support page says a trained technician should diagnose fault codes.

Code: F2♨️ GE Oven

GE Oven F2 (F20) Error Code: Oven Overheated, Temperature Over the Limit (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does GE Oven F2 mean?

F2 or F20 on a GE oven means the oven temperature went past a preset safety limit, so the control shuts the oven down. Turn it off, let it cool, and reset power at the breaker for a minute or two. If F2 comes back, the usual causes are a bad oven temperature sensor, its wiring, or a control board relay stuck on, and GE advises leaving the breaker off until it's serviced. GE Appliances' fault-code chart for ranges and wall ovens defines F2 or F20 as: "For an unknown reason, the oven temperature has exceeded a preset threshold." In other words, the electronic control believes the oven is running hotter than it should and cuts off heat as a safety measure. GE doesn't publish the exact limit on that page. iFixit's GE F2 guide puts it at over 650°F (343°C) in normal cooking and over 915°F (491°C) during self-clean; other repair sites quote slightly different figures, since the limit varies by control. The reading can be real overheating (for example a relay on the control board welded shut so it can't turn an element off) or a false reading, because the control reads a higher sensor resistance as a higher temperature, so a failing sensor or a corroded connection can look like an overheat. GE's owner's manuals say that when an F code flashes you should touch Clear/Off, let the oven cool for one hour and try again, and call for service with the power disconnected if the code repeats.

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Based on 3 manufacturer & service sources

What the code means

GE Appliances' fault-code chart for ranges and wall ovens defines F2 or F20 as: "For an unknown reason, the oven temperature has exceeded a preset threshold." In other words, the electronic control believes the oven is running hotter than it should and cuts off heat as a safety measure. GE doesn't publish the exact limit on that page. iFixit's GE F2 guide puts it at over 650°F (343°C) in normal cooking and over 915°F (491°C) during self-clean; other repair sites quote slightly different figures, since the limit varies by control. The reading can be real overheating (for example a relay on the control board welded shut so it can't turn an element off) or a false reading, because the control reads a higher sensor resistance as a higher temperature, so a failing sensor or a corroded connection can look like an overheat. GE's owner's manuals say that when an F code flashes you should touch Clear/Off, let the oven cool for one hour and try again, and call for service with the power disconnected if the code repeats.

Likely causes

A faulty oven temperature sensor (RTD probe) reading too high. iFixit says a sensor should read about 1,100 ohms at room temperature and to replace it below 1,050 or above 1,150 ohms
A loose, corroded or burnt connection in the sensor wiring between the probe and the control board, which adds resistance the control reads as extra heat
A relay on the electronic oven control stuck closed, so the bake or broil element keeps heating (iFixit notes this real overheat is common, and F2 showing while the oven is off points to the control)
A failed or blocked cooling fan on models that use one, which iFixit says can trigger F2 and damage the board
Extreme heat during a self-clean cycle

Safe DIY checks

⚠ Before you start

Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before opening panels.

Touch Clear/Off (or Cancel/Off) and let the oven cool for one hour, as GE's owner's manual directs for any F code, then try it again.
If the code stays, switch off the range's circuit breaker or fuse for a minute or two and turn it back on. GE says this sometimes clears the code.
If F2 returns, turn the oven off at the breaker until it's serviced. GE says you can switch it back on just long enough to use the cooktop, then turn it off again.
Never leave an oven that keeps heating with no cycle set plugged in; switch off the breaker and don't use it.
If you're comfortable with a meter, with the power off, unplug the oven temperature sensor and measure it. iFixit lists about 1,000 ohms at 32°F and 1,100 ohms at 77°F, and says to replace a sensor outside 1,050 to 1,150 ohms at room temperature or one with continuity to its metal shell.
With the sensor checking good, look over its wiring and connectors back to the control for corrosion, melted insulation or loose crimps, per iFixit's guide.

🛠 When to call a pro

F2 keeps returning after a power reset and a one-hour cool-down.
The oven heats on its own with no cycle set or the elements stay on after you turn it off, which points to a stuck control relay.
F2 appeared during self-clean and you see heat damage, discoloration or melted parts.
The temperature sensor and wiring test good, so the electronic oven control likely needs replacing.
The range is under warranty; GE's support page says a trained technician should diagnose fault codes.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

⚙

Oven temperature sensor (RTD probe)

The most common fix when the sensor reads high or out of range. Match the part to your model number.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_OVEN_SENSOR]

⚙

Digital multimeter

Needed to check the sensor's resistance (about 1,100 ohms at room temperature) with the power off.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_MULTIMETER]

⚙

Electronic oven control board

Only after the sensor and wiring test good, or if the oven keeps heating with no cycle set.

[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_BOARD]

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-22. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.

GE Oven F2 (F20) Error Code: Oven Overheated, Temperature Over the Limit (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

What the code means

Likely causes

Safe DIY checks

🛠 When to call a pro

Parts that commonly fix it

Oven temperature sensor (RTD probe)

Digital multimeter

Electronic oven control board

Related codes

Sources