Kenmore Range ER F3 Error: Oven Temperature Sensor Fault (LG-Platform Gas Range)
The kenmore range er f3 error is a fault signal from the control board — this guide walks through what it means, common causes, and safe diagnostic steps. What Does Kenmore Range Error Code Er F3 Mean? Er F3 on a Kenmore Elite 796-series gas range — an LG-manufactured unit sold under the Kenmore Elite […]
Quick Assessment
Answer to continue safely
Is it safe to keep using?
No. The gas oven must not be used while Er F3 is active. The control board prevents the gas valve from opening to avoid uncontrolled gas flow without temperature feedback. Gas surface burners are unaffected and may be used normally.
Can I reset the code?
No. Er F3 is caused by a physical sensor or wiring failure. A power reset temporarily clears the code display, but Er F3 returns within seconds of the next oven start because the underlying open or shorted sensor is still present.
When to stop immediately?
Stop if you notice: Gas oven will not start on any setting after Er F3 appears, NTC sensor resistance is open circuit or near zero ohms when tested — do not use the oven until the sensor is replaced.
Symptoms You May Notice
Gas oven will not ignite or maintain temperature with Er F3 displayed
The control board blocks the gas oven igniter from energizing because it cannot confirm oven temperature. The gas surface burners are typically unaffected and continue to operate normally.
Er F3 displayed on the digital control panel within seconds of starting an oven cycle
The LG-platform control board checks the sensor at the start of every oven cycle. An out-of-range sensor reading triggers Er F3 immediately, before any gas valve opens or the igniter glows.
Oven temperature display shows a very low reading or dashes at room temperature
An open-circuit sensor causes the board to display an implausibly low oven temperature — often below 40°F — at room temperature, or the display shows dashes to indicate an invalid sensor reading.
Surface burners work fine but oven bake button does nothing
Turning the surface burner knobs produces normal ignition and flame, yet pressing Bake on the control panel never starts the oven igniter. The control board has disabled only the oven heat output while leaving cooktop control untouched.
Possible Causes
Failed NTC oven temperature sensor — open or shorted
The negative temperature coefficient thermistor measuring oven cavity temperature has broken (open circuit) or shorted internally. Unlike the Frigidaire-platform RTD (which reads ~1,100 ohms at room temp), the LG-platform NTC sensor has a different resistance characteristic — typically 10,000–11,000 ohms at 77°F (25°C).
DIY PossibleSensor wiring harness with a broken or disconnected conductor
The two-wire harness between the oven sensor and the main control board has a broken conductor or a connector that has backed off, producing an open circuit identical in effect to a failed sensor.
DIY PossibleMain control board sensor input failure
The analog input circuit on the LG-platform control board that reads the NTC sensor resistance has failed. A new sensor will not resolve Er F3 if the board input channel is at fault.
Requires ProfessionalSafe Checks You Can Do
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1
Test the NTC oven sensor resistance with a multimeter
Turn off the gas range at the circuit breaker and at the gas shutoff valve for safety. Locate the oven NTC sensor probe in the upper rear of the oven cavity (secured by one or two screws on 796-series models). Disconnect the sensor wiring connector and measure resistance across the sensor leads with a multimeter. The LG-platform NTC sensor reads approximately 10,000–11,000 ohms (10K–11K ohms) at room temperature (77°F / 25°C). An open circuit (OL) or a reading near zero ohms confirms sensor failure.
Do not confuse the LG-platform NTC resistance specification (~10K ohms at room temp) with the Frigidaire-platform RTD specification (~1,100 ohms at room temp). Using the wrong specification will lead to an incorrect diagnosis. Confirm the model is a 796.xx LG-platform unit before interpreting the reading.
Tools required -
2
Inspect and reseat the sensor wiring harness connector
With power and gas shut off, trace the sensor wiring harness from the oven cavity probe back through the rear wall to the main control board. Firmly reseat the connector at both ends. On 796-series LG-platform ranges, the control board is typically behind the rear lower panel or behind the backguard panel above the cooktop — consult the model-specific layout. Restore power and test whether Er F3 clears.
Reseating connectors is worth attempting before ordering a replacement sensor, particularly on ranges that have been moved recently or that have had the rear panel disturbed during a prior service visit.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- NTC sensor resistance tests open circuit at room temperature, confirming sensor failure requiring replacement
- Er F3 persists after confirmed sensor replacement and harness re-seating — indicating a main control board input failure
- Any gas smell is detected near the range — shut off gas at the main valve immediately and call a gas service technician, not an appliance technician
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