Bosch Oven Error Code F31
F31 means the control can no longer trust the temperature reading from the upper (or only) oven cavity. Cooking stops because the oven cannot regulate heat. A dirty or loose sensor connection is worth checking before the sensor itself is condemned.
Common causes
- Temperature sensor (probe) failed or drifting out of range
- Sensor wire harness loose, pinched or damaged
- Sensor connector corroded or making poor contact at the control board
- Control board sensor circuit failed
What to check, in order
- Note the code, then switch the oven off at the breaker for a minute and restore power; a one-off reading sometimes clears.
- Find the thin metal probe on the back wall inside the oven, wipe it clean with a damp cloth and make sure it is not bent against the wall.
- With the power off, check that the sensor plug behind the oven (or at the control board, if your model gives access) is fully seated.
- If you have a multimeter, the sensor should read roughly 1,080 ohms at room temperature; a reading far from that, or open/shorted, means the sensor has failed.
- If the code returns with a good sensor and sound wiring, the control board is the remaining suspect — book a technician.
Clear the code and test
- Fix what the checks above found first. Clearing the code without fixing the cause only brings it back.
- Plug the appliance back in and restore its water supply if it has one.
- Run the shortest programme and watch the point where the code appeared before.
- If the programme finishes with no code, the fault is cleared. If the code returns, write it down before calling a technician — it speeds up the diagnosis.
When to call a professional
Most cases are solved by the checks above. Book a technician if any of these apply:
- The code comes back after you have run the checks and a test cycle.
- You smell burning, see sparks or scorch marks, or the breaker trips.
- Water is leaking and you cannot stop it at the tap.
- The fix needs panels opened beyond what your manual describes, or a part tested with a meter, and you are not set up for that.
When you call, give the brand, the code F31, your model number (on a label inside the door or on the back) and the checks you already ran. It shortens the visit.
Parts that may be involved
Oven temperature sensorWire harness
Parts are model-specific. Find your model number first — usually on a label inside the door, on the door frame or on the back — and match the part to that number before ordering.
Questions people ask about F31
What does F31 mean on a Bosch oven?
F31 means: Oven temperature sensor failure (upper or single oven). F31 means the control can no longer trust the temperature reading from the upper (or only) oven cavity. Cooking stops because the oven cannot regulate heat. A dirty or loose sensor connection is worth checking before the sensor itself is condemned.
Can I fix Bosch F31 myself?
Start yourself: the checks on this page cover the causes you can reach without opening the machine up. If they point to a faulty part, testing or replacing it is usually a technician job.
How do I clear Bosch F31?
Fix the cause first — clearing the code on its own brings it straight back. Then restore power and water, run the shortest programme, and watch the stage where the code appeared. If the programme finishes with no code, it is cleared.
Sources checked
- Bosch Home (US) owner support: dishwasher error codes
- Coolblue advice: Bosch and Siemens washing machine errors
The meaning and checks for this code were checked against the sources above in November 2026. Codes vary by model and region; if your manual lists a different meaning for your exact model, follow the manual.