Error codes › Oven › Frigidaire
Frigidaire Oven F31 Error Code
Temperature sensor short
What's going on
F31 on a Frigidaire oven means the control board is reading a short in the oven temperature sensor circuit. The oven can't tell how hot it is, so it usually stops heating to protect itself. The most common fix is replacing the temperature sensor, called an RTD probe.
Inside the oven cavity, usually near the top back wall, is a thin metal temperature sensor. Its electrical resistance changes as the oven heats up. The control board reads that resistance to know the oven's temperature and decide when to turn the heating elements or burners on and off.
When the reading drops far below the normal range, the board treats it as a short circuit and shows F31. Since it can no longer trust the temperature reading, it shuts off heating. This prevents the oven from overheating or cooking unevenly.
Frigidaire codes can mean slightly different things on different model generations. Check your model number against your owner's manual or the tech sheet to confirm what F31 means on your oven.
Likely causes
- RTD probe — The sensor itself can fail inside, or its wires can get pinched, melted, or touch metal. Any of these can make the resistance read too low, which the board reports as a short.
The same code can mean different things on different model generations. Check the model number on your oven's rating plate before ordering parts.
Can you fix it yourself?
Doable for an experienced DIYer with the right part, but many people still call a technician.
Safe things to check first
- Turn the oven off at the breaker for about a minute, then turn it back on. If F31 clears and doesn't come back, it may have been a one-time glitch.
- With the oven cool and the power off at the breaker, look at the sensor inside the oven. Check whether it is bent, touching the oven wall, or has wiring that looks burned or crushed. Do not pull on it.
- Note when the code appears, such as right away, during preheat, or during self-clean. This helps a technician or parts store figure out the problem.
- Find your model number, usually on a label inside the storage drawer or door frame. You'll need it to confirm the code and get the right part.
When to call a technician
A handy owner can often replace the sensor with the correct part once the oven is unplugged or its breaker is off. Call a qualified appliance technician if you're not comfortable working on it, or if F31 returns after a new sensor is installed. That can point to wiring or control board trouble.
What the repair usually costs
This is not a quote. Prices vary by region and by model.
Repair or replace?
Repair usually makes sense. Even the high end of this repair stays under $480, about half the price of a typical new oven.
A typical new oven costs about $600–$1,300.
Check your oven — free, 2 minutes
Common questions
- What does F31 mean on a Frigidaire oven?
- F31 means: Temperature sensor short. The most likely parts involved are RTD probe.
- How much does it cost to fix F31?
- A typical temperature sensor (rtd) replacement costs about $100–$250 nationally, parts and labor included. This is a reference range, not a quote — local prices vary.
- Should I repair or replace my oven?
- Repair usually makes sense. Even the high end of this repair stays under $480, about half the price of a typical new oven.
- Can I fix F31 myself?
- Doable for an experienced DIYer with the right part, but many people still call a technician.
- Can I still use my oven with an F31 code?
- Usually not. The oven often won't heat while the code is active. Even if it does, the temperature can't be controlled reliably, so it's best to wait until it's fixed.
- Why did F31 show up after self-clean?
- Self-clean runs the oven very hot. That heat can stress an aging sensor or its wiring and cause it to fail. The repair is the same no matter when the code appears.