Kenmore · Oven
Kenmore Oven F10 Error Code
Runaway temperature or RTD mismatch
What this error means
F10 indicates the oven heated without proportional control—similar to F09 on Kenmore 790 platforms. The ERC shuts down all heat outputs.
How F10 is detected
When F10 appears on a Kenmore oven, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Kenmore Elite 790.75903, Kenmore 790.46187300, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most F10 calls are resolved without parts: disconnect power at the breaker for 30 minutes. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If F10 returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Shorted bake element leaking to ground
- ERC bake relay welded shut
- Sensor reading far below actual cavity temp
- Broil element on continuously from relay fault
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Disconnect power at the breaker for 30 minutes
- 2Measure bake element resistance and ground leakage
- 3Verify the sensor reads rising resistance as the cavity cools
- 4Replace sensor first if readings are erratic
When to call a technician
Good sensor and element with immediate F10 on preheat needs ERC replacement.
Affected models
- Kenmore Elite 790.75903
- Kenmore 790.46187300
- Kenmore 790.72409410
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use ovens to prevent F10 from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when F10 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Kenmore oven—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for F10; Kenmore uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting F10; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.