Kenmore Oven F10 Error Code: Runaway Temperature

Quick Answer

The F10 code indicates your oven thinks it is overheating. To fix it, first test the oven temperature sensor with a multimeter for 1100 ohms of resistance. If the sensor is good, the main control board likely has a stuck relay and needs to be replaced.

F10 is your oven telling you it's losing control of its own heat, and that's not something you want to mess around with. Ignore it and you're looking at melted cabinet faces or worse. Nine times out of ten it's either a dead temp sensor or a control board with a welded relay. Both are fixable, but you need to figure out which one fast.

KenmoreOvenSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate75% DIY Success

Time to Fix

20–90 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

$15 – $200

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, 1/4-inch nut driver

What Does the F10 Code Mean?

Here's the deal with F10. Check that model number tag first because the fix is totally different depending on who actually built your oven. A 790-prefix means Frigidaire built it, and those control boards are notorious for relay failures. A 665 or 106 prefix means Whirlpool, and sensors fail more often on those. Sensor repair is cheap. A bad board runs $150 to $300 in parts alone.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Faulty oven temperature sensor (RTD)55%

Stuck relay on the oven control board30%

Damaged or shorted sensor wiring harness10%

Control board logic failure5%

Symptoms You May Notice

F10 flashes on the display with a repeating alarm and the oven refuses to start any cook cycle at all.
The broil element is glowing orange-red inside the cavity even though you haven't pressed anything and no cycle is running.
Oven temperature climbs way past what you set, like you put it at 350 and 20 minutes later your oven thermometer reads 550 inside.
You smell something plasticky or burning near the back of the control panel, which means heat is getting somewhere it really shouldn't be.
The oven shuts itself off mid-cook with the F10 alarm, sometimes right at preheat and sometimes 20 minutes into a bake.

Can you reset a Kenmore oven to clear the F10 code?

Go to your breaker panel and flip the oven's double-pole breaker off. Leave it off for at least 60 seconds, honestly five minutes is better. Flip it back on. If F10 comes back before you've even touched the oven, the board is seeing a hard sensor failure. If it only comes back once the oven starts heating up, that's the relay sticking. Either way you've confirmed the fault is real and not just a one-time glitch.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriver1/4-inch nut driverMultimeter (set to ohms)Flashlight or headlampNeedle-nose pliersSmartphone or camera (to photograph wiring before disconnecting)

Service / Diagnostic Mode

On most Kenmore models, you can press and hold the Stop or Clear button for five seconds to clear the display, but the code will return if the hardware fault is still present.

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range1000–1200 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Kenmore Oven Temperature SensorModel-specific · $15–$30	Model-specific	$15 – $30
Kenmore Oven Control BoardModel-specific · $80–$200	Model-specific	$80 – $200

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenmore F10 repair cost?

Parts cost really depends on which manufacturer built your oven. If it's just the temperature sensor, you're looking at $20 to $50 for the part and maybe 20 minutes of your time. If it's the control board, the part alone runs $150 to $300 depending on the model, and that's before any labor. Hire a tech and expect the total bill somewhere between $250 and $450. Honestly, if the oven is over 12 years old and the board is bad, run the numbers on replacement versus repair first.

Can I use Frigidaire or Whirlpool parts in my Kenmore oven?

Yes, but only if you match the manufacturer prefix. A 790-prefix Kenmore is literally a Frigidaire under the skin, so Frigidaire sensors and boards will fit. Same deal with 665 and 106 prefixes, those take Whirlpool parts. I always recommend typing your full Kenmore model number directly into a reputable parts site rather than guessing on the OEM equivalent, because Kenmore sometimes uses slightly different harness connectors on their production runs even when the core parts are otherwise identical.

Is it safe to keep using the oven with an F10 code?

No. Don't do it. I've seen F10 calls where someone kept resetting the code for a week and ended up with scorched cabinetry because the relay was stuck and the oven was running at 900 degrees internally while the display showed 350. If the element is glowing when it shouldn't be, that's a real fire hazard. Kill the breaker until you've diagnosed it. The sensor fix takes 20 minutes and costs about $30. Cabinet repair costs a whole lot more.

How do I know if it's the sensor or the control board causing F10?

Test the sensor first since it's the cheap and easy check. Pull the harness connector at the back of the oven, set your multimeter to ohms, and look for 1000 to 1200 ohms at room temperature. If that reads normal, the sensor's fine. Here's the quick board test: clear the F10 code, restore power, and don't press anything. If the bake or broil element starts heating on its own within a minute or two, the relay is welded closed and you need a new board.

How long does the F10 repair actually take?

Sensor swap is about 20 to 30 minutes once you've got the part in hand. It's literally two screws holding the probe in the cavity wall, one harness connector, and you're done. Board replacement takes longer, maybe 45 minutes to an hour, because you've got to pull the back panel, photograph and disconnect six to eight harness connectors, swap the board, and button everything back up. Neither job requires special skills. If you're comfortable swapping a light switch, you can handle either one of these.

Related Kenmore Oven Error Codes

Code: HUBFrigidaire Oven Error Codes Code: WP-HUBWhirlpool Oven Error Codes

Models Known to Experience F10 Errors

This repair applies to most Kenmore ovens with this error code. Common model numbers include:

790.46013410, 790.46003900, 790.40299900, 790.47852990, 790.41153310, 665.95014100, 665.92174100

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on May 20, 2025