How To Fix Whirlpool Stove F2 Error: 6 Solutions

Feeling puzzled over a Whirlpool stove F2 error? This frustrating code prevents you from using the oven for prepping your culinary masterpieces.

Before panicking and searching for a new stove, let’s understand the causes triggering the F2 code. Also, we’ll explore possible solutions to restore your stove’s reliability.

Before we diagnose the triggers and proper fixes, let’s take a look at the commonly affected models. Note that this problem occurs in electric ranges and wall ovens.

Whirlpool Electric Ranges

• WEG745H0B
• WEG745HO
• WEG750H0
• WGE750C0
• GUI505
• GDFE5C00S
• GDR5500M
• WGE735C
• WGE550C
• GDR5000M
• WEG725C
• WEG845C0
• WEG847C0
• GUI510
• GDFE5C0BB

Whirlpool Wall Ovens

• WOV53EC0
• WOC54EC0
• WOC93EC0

What Does F2 Mean on a Whirlpool Stove?

• Meaning: A blinking F2 code on your Whirlpool stove indicates trouble with the oven’s temperature sensor. This means that the sensor registers readings that don’t fall within the oven’s normal ranges.
• Safety Feature: When your stove’s control board generates this code, it unleashes a guardian for the appliance and your kitchen. It prevents potential overheating and ensures your kitchen remains safe.
• Impact on Use: When the F2 error message appears, your oven becomes unresponsive. So, your cooking, baking, and heating plans are put on hold.
• Warning Signs: Before you notice the F2 error response, you may hear noisy beeps coming from the oven. Also, temperature fluctuations, unresponsive buttons, or irregular heating patterns are also warning signs.
• Importance of Addressing: Ignoring this F2 Whirlpool stove error can lead to more significant issues down the line. Fixing this issue quickly helps you retrieve your usual kitchen routine.

Why Does Your Whirlpool Stove Show F2 Code?

When your Whirlpool oven signals an F2 code, it’s a reminder that something’s wrong in the heat department. With a few culprits to consider, you might feel confused. Let’s clear this confusion and unravel the potential causes:

1. Problematic Temperature Sensor

The oven temperature sensor acts as your oven’s internal thermometer, constantly monitoring the oven temperature. Then, the sensor reports the temperature readings to the control board. A problematic sensor might send inaccurate readings to the control board, causing the F2 error to appear even when the actual temperature is safe.

This scenario is usually associated with a faulty sensor, a loose connection, or even food debris interfering with its readings.

2. Control Board Confusion

As the brain of your Whirlpool oven and stove, the control board takes care of all its devices and functions. Among its many duties is receiving the sensor’s readings, analyzing them, and taking proper action. So, the board operates the heating element based on the sensor’s data.

If the control board malfunctions, it might misinterpret the temperature sensor readings, leading to the F2 error. This could be caused by electrical surges, faulty components on the board itself, or even a loose connection within the control panel.

3. Heating Element Malfunction

The heating elements are responsible for generating heat inside the oven. Most full-size Whirlpool ovens come with 2 heating elements. Problematic elements lead to uneven heat distribution or excessive temperature rise in the oven. So, they could either underheat or overheat. If one or both elements malfunction, they might not reach the desired temperature.

This scenario ends with triggering the F2 error as a safety measure. This could be due to a faulty heating element, a burned-out connection, or even a power supply issue.

4. Thermal Fuse Failure

The thermal fuse falls into the category of Whirlpool stove safety features.  This fuse is designed to cut power to the heating elements if the oven temperature exceeds a safe limit. A faulty thermal fuse could trip prematurely, even when the temperature is within range. This could lead to the F2 icon as the control board detects an unexpected power interruption.

5. Defective Keypad

While less likely, this problem can contribute to your Whirlpool stove F2 error. Imagine a stuck switch or button on the keypad and its impact on the control board. This problematic component can send continuous signals to the control board. This electronic confusion might lead to the control board misinterpreting the data and displaying the F2 error code

6. Malfunctioning Door Switches

The door switch is a safety mechanism that ensures the oven doesn’t operate when the door is open. Your Whirlpool oven relies on the door switch signal to regulate temperature accurately. If the switch malfunctions and thinks the door is open even when it’s actually closed, the oven won’t activate the heating elements or maintain the desired temperature.

A conflict between the control board’s temperature setting and the real oven temperature due to the faulty switch can trigger the F2 error code.

How To Reset Whirlpool Stove F2 Code

Before turning to complex repairs, resetting your Whirlpool stove F2 code is worth a shot. A simple power rest can be the solution if the error is triggered by a simple glitch. Here’s how to do it:

1. Disconnect the power unit from the wall or flip the circuit breaker to the off position. This cuts power completely.
2. Leave the oven off for at least five minutes. This allows any temporary electrical issues to clear.
3. Turn the power back on by reversing the first step.
4. Try the oven’s buttons on the menu to check if this process worked.

How To Fix F2 Error Code on Whirlpool Stove

No one likes the frustration of a cold oven. The F2 error on your Whirlpool oven can make you desperate but don’t despair. Let’s explore possible troubleshooting for these potential causes and try some DIY fixes before calling a qualified technician.

1. How To Fix Problematic Temperature Sensor

The temperature sensor and the heating elements are nestled close to each other at the back of the oven. To access the sensor, you will need a Phillips head or a flathead screwdriver, depending on the type of screws. Before doing any repair steps, unplug the stove from its electricity source. Here’s what to do next:

1. Use the screwdriver to remove the back panel of your Whirlpool stove.
2. Look for a small metallic probe or rod-like device attached to a wiring harness.
3. Start by cleaning any visible food debris around the sensor with a soft cloth. Don’t spill water or soap on this electrical component.
4. Sometimes, the problem is more complicated than the lack of cleanliness. There could be physical damage to the sensor probe or the wiring harness. In this case, you can either test the sensor with a multimeter or skip the test to replace the sensor.
5. You can perform the test by adjusting the tester to the ohms setting to test the resistance.
6. Connect one multimeter probe to each of the sensor’s terminals firmly. The correct resistance range may change with different Whirlpool stove models. But you should get a resistance reading between 1080 to 1090 ohms at room temperature.

2. How To Fix Control Board Confusion

The control board is a complex component that doesn’t tolerate many DIY solutions. Also, accessing it may require disassembling multiple oven components. So, it’s better to seek a professional to handle it to avoid unnecessary damages and costly repairs.

3. How To Fix Heating Element Malfunction

You can access this element like you did with the temperature sensor. Look for long, reddish-orange metallic coils. One should be located at the bottom of the oven, and the other should be at its top.

Visual inspection can reveal cracks, burns, or breaks in the elements’ coils. Also, you can use a multimeter to detect resistance. Follow the same testing instructions applied to the sensor. If you are certain these elements are defective, here’s what you should do:

1.  Identify the wires connected to the heating element terminals. Memorize their arrangement or take some photos to facilitate the reassembly.
2. Use suitable pliers to loosen the wire connectors at the element terminals and disconnect the wires.
3. Find the screws or clips holding the heating element in place. Use your screwdriver to remove them. This will detach the element from its secured position.
4. For proper installation options of the new element follow a reverse order of these steps.

4. How To Fix Thermal Fuse Failure

The thermal fuse is not far from the heating element. It is a small device with two wires attached. It is usually made of glass or ceramic. You can diagnose a blown fuse through a continuity test. You can do this test using your multimeter set to continuity setting.

Attach the multimeter’s probes to each terminal of the fuse. If there’s no beep or reading, the fuse is likely blown. Use pliers to disconnect the wires from the thermal fuse terminals and free the blown fuse. Install a new fuse in reverse order.

Note that testing and replacing is advanced electrical work (live circuits are involved). If you are not skilled or comfortable enough with this type of task, don’t hesitate to call in a professional electrician.

5. How To Fix Defective Keypad

If the keypad has stuck knobs, you should try cleaning it thoroughly. Wipe the keypad (control panel) with a damp cloth to remove any debris that might be causing a stuck button. Test the buttons to identify the problematic one(s). Try operating all the buttons and knobs on the keypad to see if any are stuck or sending continuous signals.

Unfortunately, there are no single replacement buttons sold separately. So, in this case, you will need a new control panel from an online merchant. It is better to get a repair technician to replace it for you due to the wires connecting it to the control board.

6. How To Fix Malfunctioning Door Switches

The door switches are typically located on the sides of the oven frame, where the door meets the oven cavity. Depending on your oven’s model, you can expect one or three switches. If you test the switch like you do with other electrical components and turns out faulty, replacement is the only solution.

However, there are a couple of DIY solutions that might work for a slightly misaligned switch. First of all, you can try Cleaning the switch from food debris or grime around the door switch can prevent proper activation. You can do this with a damp cloth.

You can also try manual Adjustment. However, this is not an option for all Whirlpool ovens. So, consult your user manual first to ensure this is recognized as a troubleshooting procedure.

Conclusion

Now that you reached the end of this Whirlpool stove F2 error, you’ve unraveled the causes and gathered some useful troubleshooting tips. While indicating a problem with the temperature reading, you can find different components to blame.

From a problematic temperature sensor to control board confusion, heating element malfunctions, thermal fuse failure, defective keypad, and malfunctioning door switches, you’ll need serious inspection and investigation to narrow down the list.

But before seeking professional help, attempting a simple power reset may resolve the issue. If the error persists, addressing these specific components can lead to a successful fix.

Not comfortable with electrical work? Leave it to the pros then! Call certified technicians or contact the manufacturer’s support team for guidance.

Facing more Whirlpool oven issues? Check out our other guides on Whirlpool oven 3e2 or Whirlpool oven touch screen not working!

Adrian Simmons( Licensed Appliance Repair Expert )

Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.