Maytag Oven F3 Error Code: Open Oven Temperature Sensor

Quick Answer

Maytag F3 indicates the oven temperature sensor has an open circuit - the resistance reading is infinite, meaning the wire is broken or the sensor element has failed. Maytag ovens use the same RTD spec as Whirlpool: approximately 1,080 ohms at room temperature. The sensor is a thin probe mounted inside the rear wall of the oven cavity.

When I see an F3 on a Maytag range, the oven's gone completely blind. It has no idea what temperature the cavity is at, so it shuts everything down. That persistent beeping you're hearing? Yeah, that's not stopping until you fix this. In the field, I find a self-clean cycle snaps aging sensor wires more than anything else. Good news: this is usually a $20 fix.

MaytagOvenSeverity: moderateDifficulty: 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 F3 Code Mean?

OK so here's the deal with F3. It's actually one of the better codes you can get on a Maytag oven because it almost always points to a $15-30 sensor probe, not a $200 control board. The oven can't read temperature at all, so it locks everything out. Before you panic, grab a multimeter, because nine times out of ten you'll have this diagnosed in under 5 minutes.

Most Likely Causes

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

RTD sensor open circuit40%

Sensor wire broken inside oven wall24%

Sensor connector corroded at board14%

Wire insulation melted touching oven wall12%

Sensor element failed from heat cycling10%

Symptoms You May Notice

F3 flashes on the display and won't go away no matter how many times you hit Cancel
Oven completely refuses to heat. You set it to 350, it beeps at you, and nothing happens.
Continuous beeping that started mid-cook, right when dinner was supposed to be finishing up
Everything locked up during or right after a self-clean cycle and now you can't open the door either
F3 appears on the display the moment you restore power after a reset, before you've even pressed a single button

Can you reset a Maytag oven to clear the F3 code?

Hit Cancel first to silence the beeping. If the sensor is broken, F3 will come right back when you try to bake. For a hard reset, flip your circuit breaker off and leave it for a full minute. Power it back on and watch the display. If F3 appears on its own without you pressing anything, the board has confirmed the sensor circuit is open and you need to replace the sensor before the oven will work again.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriver1/4 inch nut driverMultimeter (auto-ranging or set to 2000 ohm range)Flashlight or headlampWork gloves

Diagnostic Checklist

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

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range1060–1100 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
Maytag Oven Control BoardModel-specific · $80–$200	Model-specific	$80 – $200
Maytag RTD Temperature SensorModel-specific · $15–$30	Model-specific	$15 – $30
Maytag Door Latch AssemblyModel-specific · $40–$80	Model-specific	$40 – $80

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maytag F3 dangerous?

The F3 itself is actually a safety feature doing its job. The oven won't heat because it has no way to know what temperature the cavity's at, and that's the right call. What you don't want is to leave it in a weird state or try to force it to run. Leave the breaker off until the sensor's replaced. And if this happened during self-clean, don't try to force the door latch open. That motorized mechanism will break if the oven's still hot and locked, and then you've got a $200 door latch repair on top of a $20 sensor fix.

How much does Maytag F3 repair cost?

DIY? You're looking at $15-30 for the sensor, maybe $5 shipping. Total under $40. If you call a tech out, expect $150-250 all in depending on your area. Now if you test the sensor and it's actually fine and the problem turns out to be the control board, that part alone jumps to $150-220 and the total repair is closer to $350-450 with labor. That's when you need to seriously weigh repair versus replacement, especially on an older oven.

Is my Maytag oven made by Whirlpool?

Yep. Whirlpool bought Maytag back in 2006 and they share a ton of parts. The 1080 ohm RTD sensor is the same one used across Maytag, Amana, Whirlpool, and KitchenAid ranges. Honestly great news because parts are everywhere. Your local appliance parts house will almost certainly have one on the shelf. Search for WPW10181986 or WP74004809 and you'll find it. I keep a couple on my truck because they go in so many different models.

Can I still use my oven while it shows F3?

No. It's a hard lockout, not a warning. The control board has disabled all heating functions. You can't bake, broil, or run self-clean. Some people try pressing every button combo hoping to get around it, but it won't work. The oven's doing exactly what it's supposed to do. Good news though: the stovetop burners are on a completely separate circuit, so those'll still work fine while you're waiting on the part.

How long does it take to replace the temperature sensor?

Honestly? Once you've done it once, it's a 20-minute job. First time, figure 45 minutes to an hour, mostly because you're figuring out how to move the oven and which screws hold the back panel on. The sensor itself is just two screws and one plug. That's it. I tell people who've never fixed an appliance before that this is the repair to start with. If you can change a lightbulb, you can do this.

Will the F3 come back after I replace the sensor?

Not if you replaced the right thing. Test the old sensor first with your multimeter, confirm it's open, put the new one in, done. If the code comes back within a few weeks of a fresh sensor, something else is going on, maybe a failing bake element running way too hot and cooking the sensor prematurely, or a wiring issue you didn't catch the first time. But in my experience, replace the sensor once and you won't see F3 again.

Related Maytag Oven Error Codes

Code: HUBMaytag Error Codes

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Maytag shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

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Models Known to Experience F3 Errors

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

MER8800FZ, MER8700DS, MER6600FZ, MER7700LZ, MGR6600FW, MER6000RW, MER7600BZ, MES8800FZ

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 15, 2026