KitchenAid Cooktop F3 E0 Error: Element Sensor Open
What Does KitchenAid Cooktop Error Code F3 E0 Mean? F3 E0 on a KitchenAid cooktop means one of the element temperature sensors is reading an open circuit. The cooktop uses an NTC thermistor bonded to each heating element to monitor surface temperature and drive the hot-surface indicator. When the board attempts to read the thermistor […]
Quick Assessment
Answer to continue safely
Is it safe to keep using?
Maybe. Unaffected burners can be used safely. The affected burner is locked out by the board and cannot heat. Do not attempt to defeat the lockout.
Can I reset the code?
No. A breaker reset does not repair a failed thermistor or broken wire. The fault returns as soon as the board performs its next sensor continuity check on that burner.
When to stop immediately?
Stop if you notice: F3 E0 affects multiple burners simultaneously, Smoke or burning odor from the affected burner area.
Symptoms You May Notice
One burner will not heat regardless of power setting
The affected burner accepts touch input and shows a selected power level, but no heat is produced and the element indicator light may flash.
Hot-surface indicator does not illuminate for that burner
Because the temperature sensor is reading open, the board has no input to drive the residual-heat indicator, and it remains off even when other burners show hot.
F3 E0 appears shortly after the burner is selected
The fault shows within ten seconds of attempting to use the affected burner — the board performs a sensor continuity check before energizing the element.
Possible Causes
Failed NTC thermistor on the element
The negative-temperature-coefficient thermistor physically attached to the element has failed open, usually due to thermal cycling fatigue over years of use.
Requires ProfessionalDisconnected or broken thermistor lead wire
The two-wire harness running from the thermistor to the main control board has come unplugged, been pinched during a prior service call, or has a broken conductor inside the insulation.
DIY PossibleControl board sensor input circuit failure
The analog input on the main board that reads this thermistor channel has failed — a known but uncommon failure mode that produces the same open-circuit reading as a bad sensor.
Requires ProfessionalSafe Checks You Can Do
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1
Do not use the affected burner
Move cooking to a different burner while the fault is present. F3 E0 is a protective lockout — bypassing it by trying to use the burner anyway is not possible from the user interface, but do not attempt any workaround.
Other burners on the cooktop should operate normally. If multiple burners show F3 E0, the control board itself is suspect rather than individual sensors.
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2
Record which burner is affected before calling service
Note which specific burner position (front left, rear right, etc.) shows F3 E0. This lets the technician bring the correct replacement thermistor and speeds the repair considerably.
Take a photo of the display showing the code with the affected burner selected — it provides documentation for warranty claims if applicable.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- Thermistor resistance measures open-circuit at the harness connector
- Replacing the thermistor resolves the fault
- Control board sensor input tests bad with a known-good replacement thermistor
Need Professional Help?
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