Sample Case

Can wait — the oven is off and safe; don't use the oven until it's fixedDIY difficulty: Not DIY

Gas oven shows error code F3 and won't heat

Kitchen · Appliance (gas)

You reported: The oven beeps, displays F3, and shuts off. The stovetop burners still light fine. The oven is gas.

What it most likely is

On most gas ranges, F3 means the oven temperature sensor is reading out of range — usually a failed sensor or a damaged sensor wire. The part itself is cheap; the problem is that diagnosis and replacement sit inches from the gas line and the igniter circuit.

The decision

Call a licensed appliance technician. Gas + ignition is exactly the category we never DIY.

Preview build. Nothing is uploaded, and no diagnosis runs on the server.

Call a pro

$120–$180 diagnostic + $80–$120 sensor part; typical total $220–$350 in Austin (sample ranges)

Who to call: Licensed appliance repair technician (gas-certified)

Ask these before you book

▸“Did you test the sensor with a meter?” — a healthy sensor reads about 1,080 ohms at room temperature; a real diagnosis measures it, not guesses.
▸“Is the repair worth it on a range this age?” — rule of thumb: if the repair is under half the cost of a comparable new range and the range is under 10 years old, repair wins.
▸“Will you leak-test the gas connection before you leave?” — the answer should be yes, every time the gas line is touched.

Safety rule for this whole category: if you ever smell gas (rotten-egg odor), don't troubleshoot at all — leave the house and call 911 or your gas utility's emergency line from outside.

Price ranges are Austin sample data for this preview.

Guidance only. When you are unsure, a licensed pro is a valid decision.