Written by
Marcus Delaney Appliance Care EditorPublished October 26, 2026
VERIFIED
Error codeF3
ApplianceMicrowave
The touch pad panel has a short when F3 appears. GE publishes the code for all its microwave ovens as well as the 120V Advantium.
Recommended action
Microwave ovens: leave it to a trained service technician, per GE.
Advantium: tap Clear/Off or Cancel, enter the program again, and when F3 returns, remove power for a minute or two. After restoring power, program the cooking function once more.
Panel codes on the same controls
F10 is the touch screen counterpart, listed as shorted. If the problem is a sensor, F2 is a shorted thermal sensor and F4 an open humidity sensor.
San Francisco microwave repair line
From San Francisco or the wider Bay Area, call (415) 729-2045 and say that F3 is displayed. Having the model number to hand and a note of any clearing attempts speeds things along. See microwave repair.
Model compatibility: GE reuses codes across series and model years, so F3 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
F3 indicates a shorted touch pad panel.
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Seeing this code on your GE appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
You submit a request with your appliance model and symptom, we confirm an appointment window, and a technician performs an on-site diagnosis. You then receive a clear estimate and decide whether to proceed before any repair begins.
Yes. We provide an upfront estimate after diagnosis. No parts are ordered or installed until you approve the work, so there are no surprise charges.
Replacement parts are selected for the exact model and confirmed with you before ordering or installation.
Service areas are listed on the Locations page. Contact us with your ZIP code to confirm current coverage for your address.
Ready to get your GE appliance working again?
Book a repair online or call us — clear estimates and approval before any repair work begins.
