Kenmore Oven: tripped breaker

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Kenmore oven trips the circuit breaker when powered on, it indicates a potential electrical fault or overload. Common causes include a faulty heating element, internal wiring issues, or an overloaded circuit. Immediate attention is crucial to prevent further damage.

Urgency: High

Important Tips for Kenmore Models

  • Kenmore ovens with breaker trip issues often relate to shorted internal wiring harness and heating elements; checking continuity and wiring integrity is a known troubleshooting step.

Possible Causes

Shorted or faulty heating element

How to Identify: Breaker trips immediately when oven is turned on or when heating starts; visible cracks, burns, or exposed wires on element; uneven heating

Part: Oven heating element (bake/broil)

Internal wiring short circuit / damaged insulation

How to Identify: Breaker trips under load, burning smell, frayed or melted insulation sights, wiring touches oven chassis

Part: Internal oven wiring or terminal block

Circuit overload or incorrect breaker/circuit size

How to Identify: Breaker trips only when oven and other appliances are on same circuit; breaker rating lower than oven load

Part: Home electrical circuit and breaker

Faulty control board causing excessive current draw

How to Identify: Breaker trip correlates with control failures; oven display blanks or malfunctions accompany trips

Part: Oven electronic control board

Ground fault due to moisture or insulation breakdown

How to Identify: Breaker or RCD trips in presence of moisture, especially after cleaning or disuse

Part: Ground/insulation components

DIY Solutions

Inspect heating elements and wiring for obvious damage

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, flashlight
  1. Turn off power at breaker and unplug oven.
  2. Remove access panel to view heating elements and internal wiring.
  3. Visually inspect elements for cracks or burn marks and wiring for frayed insulation or contact with metal chassis.
  4. If minor wiring insulation damage is visible and safe to re-insulate temporarily, use proper heat-rated insulation tape.
  5. Reassemble and test cautiously.
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before opening oven panels.

Test oven on a dedicated circuit (if feasible)

Easy 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: none
  1. Ensure other high-power appliances on same circuit are unplugged/disconnected.
  2. Reset breaker and start oven only.
  3. If breaker no longer trips, overload likely rather than oven fault.
⚠️ Safety First: Do not overload circuits; use dedicated outlet if possible.

Professional Repairs

Replace faulty heating element

Estimated Cost: $50–$150

Repair or replace internal wiring/terminal block

Estimated Cost: $80–$250

Replace control board

Estimated Cost: $150–$400

When to Call a Professional

You notice burning smell or sparks
Internal wiring damage visible
Breaker trips immediately even with oven isolated
Uncertain about safely testing internal components

Preventive Maintenance

  • Inspect oven wiring and elements annually: Short circuits and breaker trips
    Frequency: annually
  • Avoid operating other high-power appliances on same circuit: Circuit overload
    Frequency: ongoing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Oven tripped breaker?
Common causes include a shorted heating element, internal wiring issues, or circuit overload.
How do I fix Kenmore Oven tripped breaker myself?
Inspect heating elements and wiring for damage, and test the oven on a dedicated circuit.
How much does it cost to fix tripped breaker?
Repair costs range from $50 for heating elements to $400 for a control board replacement.
When should I call a technician for tripped breaker?
Call a technician if DIY fixes don't resolve the issue or if the problem seems complex.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

60%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Overloaded circuit due to multiple appliances on the same breaker
  • Faulty heating element causing a short circuit
  • Malfunctioning control board sending incorrect signals

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check the circuit breaker and reset it. Ensure no other high-wattage appliances are using the same circuit. If it trips again, proceed to the next steps.

  2. Inspect the heating element for any visible damage or burn marks. If damaged, replace the heating element. Disconnect power before performing this step.

  3. Test the control board for faults using a multimeter. If faulty, replace the control board. This may require professional assistance if you are not experienced.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Kenmore oven tripped breaker and flashing a code not in the ...

Community Discussions

tripped breaker and flashing a code not in the manual

The user took the front panel off and found the problem.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

User Comments (0)

Share your experience or solution below.

Be the first to comment!