Air fryer overheats, burning food quickly even at low temperature settings; exterior may feel excessively hot.

Safety first: Unplug the air fryer immediately and do not continue using it until the fault is corrected. Overheating is a fire hazard.

Steps to investigate:

• Visual inspection: Check for signs of melting or discoloration around the heating element and vents.
• Sensor test: Test the NTC temperature sensor resistance at room temperature and compare with specifications. A sensor that reads too low resistance will make the control think the unit is cooler than it is.
• Control board check: Inspect the main control PCB for a stuck heater relay (contacts welded closed) or a shorted triac/transistor controlling the heater.
• Replace faulty parts: Replace the NTC sensor if out of range. If the relay or triac is damaged, replace the entire main control PCB.

Warning: Never bypass safety devices such as thermal fuses or thermostats to "fix" overheating. This can lead to fire or severe damage.