Display shows E3 and the air fryer will not heat.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the air fryer and allow it to cool completely before opening the cabinet.
Steps to diagnose E3 heating fault:
- 1. Visual inspection: Remove the basket and drawer. Look up toward the heating element. Check for obvious breaks in the coil, heavy pitting, or burn marks.
- 2. Access heater wiring: Turn the unit upside down and remove the bottom or rear cover. Locate the two heavy-gauge wires going to the heating element terminals.
- 3. Check connections: Inspect the spade connectors for discoloration, melting, or looseness. Reseat or replace damaged connectors. Ensure all screws securing the element bracket are tight.
- 4. Test the heating element: Disconnect at least one wire from the element. Use a multimeter to measure resistance across the terminals. A typical air fryer element may read between 10–40 ohms. Infinite resistance indicates an open element that must be replaced.
- 5. Check thermal fuse: Many Black+Decker air fryers include an in-line thermal fuse in the heater circuit. Locate the small cylindrical component wrapped in heat-resistant sleeving near the element wiring. Test for continuity; if open, replace with the same temperature and current rating.
- 6. Inspect the control board relay: If the element and fuse test good, inspect the main control PCB for a burnt or stuck heater relay. Signs include charring, cracked solder joints, or a melted relay case. Replace the control board if the relay is defective.
Only use OEM or equivalent-rated heating elements and thermal fuses. Incorrect parts can cause overheating or fire.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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