Air fryer overheats; food burns quickly and there is a strong smell of scorching even at low temperature settings.

Safety first: Unplug immediately and allow to cool. Overheating can cause fire.

• Clean interior: Remove heavy grease and carbon deposits from the chamber, especially around the sensor and heater, using a non-caustic cleaner and soft cloth.
• Sensor test: Access the NTC temperature sensor and measure resistance at room temperature. Compare with expected values; replace if out of range or physically damaged.
• Check heater relay: On the main PCB, inspect the heater relay. If the contacts are welded closed, the heater may stay on continuously. Replace the main control board if the relay is stuck.
• High-limit thermostat: Verify the thermal cut-out / high-limit thermostat is intact and properly mounted to sense temperature. Replace if it has failed closed and is not protecting the unit.
• Functional test: After replacing faulty parts, run the unit with an oven thermometer inside to verify that actual temperature matches the set temperature within reasonable tolerance.