How Much Does It Cost to Replace the Control Board on an Oven?

If your oven won’t turn on, the display is blank, or it’s showing weird error codes like E1 or F3, the problem isn’t always the heating element. More often than not, it’s the control board - the brain of your oven. Replacing it isn’t a simple fix, and the cost can vary a lot depending on your oven model, where you live, and whether you DIY or call a pro. In New Zealand, especially in places like Auckland, you’re looking at anywhere from $250 to $750 for a full replacement, including parts and labour.

What Exactly Is an Oven Control Board?

The control board is a small circuit board, usually hidden behind the control panel on the front of your oven. It’s responsible for managing everything: temperature settings, timer functions, fan speed, lighting, and even safety locks. It takes input from your knobs or touchscreen and sends signals to the heating elements, igniters, and sensors. Think of it like the computer inside your car - if it fails, nothing works right, even if all the parts are fine.

These boards are made of plastic, copper traces, and tiny chips. Over time, heat, moisture, and power surges can fry them. Older ovens (10+ years) are more prone to failure because their components aren’t built to last like newer ones. Even brand-new ovens can have bad boards - it’s not always user error.

Why Replacement Costs Vary So Much

Not all oven control boards are created equal. A basic electric oven model from a budget brand like Haier or Midea might have a board that costs $80 to $120. But if you own a high-end Smeg, Miele, or Siemens oven, the same part can run $250 to $400. That’s because premium brands use proprietary parts that only they supply, and they charge a premium for it.

Labour costs also swing depending on where you are. In Auckland, a qualified appliance technician charges between $80 and $120 per hour. Replacing the control board usually takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on how easy it is to access. Some ovens require pulling the whole unit out from the cabinet, disconnecting gas lines (if it’s a dual-fuel model), and removing multiple panels. Others just need you to pop off the front panel.

Here’s a quick breakdown of typical costs in New Zealand:

Some repair shops charge a diagnostic fee if you don’t go ahead with the repair. Others include it in the quote. Always ask upfront.

DIY vs Professional: What Makes Sense?

You might be tempted to buy the part online and install it yourself. It’s tempting - parts are available on Trade Me, Amazon, or even from US suppliers like Repair Clinic. But here’s the catch: if you get the wrong part, you’re out $150 and still have a broken oven. And if you mess up the wiring, you could fry the whole appliance or even start a fire.

Most control boards have colour-coded connectors or numbered pins. If you plug them in wrong, the board won’t work - even if it’s the right one. Some boards also need to be programmed or reset with a specific sequence of button presses. That’s not something you’ll find in a YouTube video.

Real-life example: A customer in Mt Roskill bought a $120 control board online, spent three hours trying to install it, and still got an E5 error. They called a technician, who found the board was incompatible. The fix? A new $280 board, plus $110 labour. They ended up paying $510 instead of the $300 they’d have paid if they’d called a pro first.

Unless you’ve done electrical work before - and you’re comfortable reading schematics - it’s safer and often cheaper in the long run to hire someone.

How to Tell If It’s Really the Control Board

Not every oven problem means a new control board. Here’s how to rule out other issues first:

• No power at all? Check the circuit breaker. Sometimes it’s just tripped.
• Display is dim or flickering? Could be a bad backlight or loose ribbon cable, not the whole board.
• Oven heats but doesn’t maintain temperature? That’s likely a faulty thermostat or temperature sensor.
• Only one element isn’t working? That’s probably the element itself, not the board.

The most reliable sign of a bad control board is a completely blank display, or one that shows error codes you can’t find in the manual. If you press buttons and nothing happens - no beep, no light, no response - that’s a strong indicator.

Some ovens let you run a diagnostic mode. Check your manual or search online for your model + “diagnostic mode.” For example, on many Westinghouse ovens, holding the “Bake” and “Broil” buttons for 5 seconds brings up error codes. If it shows F1, F3, or E2 repeatedly, it’s likely the control board.

When to Replace Instead of Repair

If your oven is older than 12 years, replacing the control board might not be worth it. The average lifespan of an electric oven is 13-15 years. If you’re spending $400 on a repair for a 14-year-old oven, you’re essentially betting that the rest of the appliance will hold up for another 2-3 years. That’s a risky bet.

Here’s a simple rule: if the repair cost is more than half the price of a new oven, walk away. A basic new electric oven in New Zealand costs between $500 and $900. So if your repair quote is over $450, consider replacing it instead.

Also, think about energy efficiency. Newer ovens use 20-30% less electricity. Over five years, that could save you $150-$250 on your power bill. That’s almost enough to cover the difference in price.

Where to Get the Right Part

If you’re buying a replacement board, don’t just search for “oven control board.” You need the exact model number. It’s usually on a sticker inside the oven door frame or on the back panel. Write it down: for example, “Whirlpool WFE515S0HS.”

Use that number to search on:

• Trade Me - often has used or refurbished boards from broken ovens
• Repair Clinic - ships to NZ, offers 365-day returns
• Appliance Parts NZ - local supplier with verified parts
• Manufacturer’s website - most reliable, but most expensive

Avoid generic eBay listings. Many are counterfeit or incompatible. I’ve seen people buy boards that look identical but have different chip layouts - they won’t work.

What to Ask a Repair Technician

If you’re hiring someone, ask these questions before they start:

• “Do you guarantee the part and labour?” - Reputable shops offer 6-12 months warranty.
• “Can you show me the old board?” - You should see the damage. A burnt trace or swollen capacitor is proof.
• “Is the new board OEM or aftermarket?” - OEM is original equipment manufacturer. Aftermarket is cheaper but less reliable.
• “Will you test the oven after installation?” - A good tech will run a full cycle to make sure everything works.

Don’t pay upfront. Pay only after the repair is done and tested.

Preventing Future Control Board Failures

Control boards don’t just die randomly. Here’s how to make yours last:

• Install a surge protector for your oven. Power spikes from storms or faulty wiring are the #1 killer.
• Keep the control panel dry. Don’t spray cleaners directly on it. Use a damp cloth.
• Don’t overload circuits. Ovens need their own 240V circuit. Don’t plug other appliances into the same outlet.
• Clean the oven regularly. Excess grease and steam can seep into the control panel over time.

These small habits can add years to your oven’s life - and save you hundreds down the track.