KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code F4: a pan sits too close to the controls

What F4 means

On KitchenAid induction cooktops such as the KICU509XSS, F4 shows when a pot or pan sits too close to the control panel. The cooktop wants the pan centered on the cooking area, with nothing hot on the touch control panel. Move the pot or pan off the cooktop and wait, and the code clears so you can restart. Hot cookware pushed against the controls is the most common reason, and it is usually simple to fix.

Common causes of F4

A pan placed near or against the touch controls
Something hot resting on the control panel
An off-center pan that heats the area next to the controls
A temperature sensor near the panel reading high

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Move the pot or pan off the cooktop. 2. Clear anything hot from the touch control panel. 3. Wait for F4 to clear and the glass to cool. 4. Center the pan on the area and restart; call us if F4 returns with nothing near the controls.

! Why to stop there

F4 with nothing on or near the controls suggests the panel sensor is reading incorrectly.
That sensor is under the glass.
A written quote precedes any work, and we give a 30-day warranty.

Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.

→Same appliance

Other Cooktop codes

F64KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code F64: the touch control and power module group FC E0KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code FC E0: supply, wiring or the induction module FC E1KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code FC E1: touchpad or the cable behind it FC E4KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code FC E4: the harness between touchpad and induction module FC LFKitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code FC LF: left front zone, its coil or its wiring FC LRKitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code FC LR: a left-side zone that will not heat FC RFKitchenAid Smoothtop Cooktop Code FC RF: right front area, element or wiring FC RRKitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code FC RR: the right rear zone does not respond

F4F4 questions

What does F4 want me to do?

Move the pan off, make sure nothing hot touches the control panel, and let the code clear. Then place the pan in the middle of its cooking area.

Why would a pan near the controls matter?

Heat from the pan can reach the touch panel and its electronics. The cooktop shuts the area down to keep the controls from overheating. The cooktop shuts the area down so the touch panel does not overheat, which also protects the glass around the keys.

F4 appears with no pan nearby. Is it broken?

It may be reading heat that is not there. Try again after cooling. If F4 still appears, the sensor or panel needs a technician's inspection.