GE Oven F2 Error Code: How to Fix an Overheating Fault
The oven beeps, displays "F2" (or "F2 E0"), and shuts off heat mid-cycle — sometimes during self-clean.
DIY Cost
$15–$40
Typical Pro Cost
$150–$275
Tools Needed
- Phillips screwdriver
- Multimeter
- Oven mitts
Parts Needed
- Replacement oven temperature sensor (RTD probe)
⚠️ Safety Warnings
- Never open a hot oven door to work inside — wait for a full cool-down, especially after a self-clean cycle which can exceed 800°F.
- Unplug the oven (or shut off its breaker) before removing any back panel or touching wiring — ovens run on a 240V circuit.
- If F2 appeared during self-clean, don't run self-clean again until the cause is fixed — repeated overheat faults are a fire-risk signal, not a glitch to ignore.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let the oven cool completely
F2 means the control board detected the oven exceeding its safe temperature range (often triggered during self-clean). Cancel the cycle at the breaker if it won't respond, and let the oven cool fully — at least an hour — before touching anything inside.
Locate the temperature sensor
It's the small metal probe (a slim rod, not a screw) mounted on the back or side wall of the oven cavity, separate from any control knob. It should hang free, not touch the oven walls or racks.
Check for contact with the oven wall or a rack
If the sensor probe is bent and touching the cavity wall, it will read inaccurately and can trigger F2. Gently bend it back to hang about 1/2 inch clear of the wall — do this only when the oven is cool.
Test the sensor's resistance
With the oven unplugged, unclip the sensor's wire connector at the back of the oven and check its resistance with a multimeter. At room temperature it should read close to the spec in your model's manual (often near 1,080 ohms for GE ovens). A reading far off spec, or no continuity at all, means the sensor has failed.
Replace the sensor if it's out of spec
The sensor typically unscrews from inside the cavity and unplugs from a connector at the back — no wiring to cut. Replacements are inexpensive and this is a beginner-friendly swap once the oven is unplugged and cool.
When to Call a Professional
If the sensor tests within spec and isn't touching the cavity wall, but F2 keeps returning — especially if it happens outside of self-clean — the issue is likely the control board itself (a more expensive part) and is worth a professional diagnosis before buying one on a guess.