What Thermador E118 error means on your oven
Thermador oven error code E118 indicates: Bake element relay stuck — continuous heating detected. This is classified as a Critical-severity issue — stop using the appliance immediately and call a technician.
What Thermador oven error code E118 means
Thermador oven error E118 is a safety-critical code indicating the bake element is receiving power when it should be off. The control board relay responsible for switching the bake element is stuck in the closed (on) position, causing continuous, uncontrolled heating.
Why E118 is critical
A stuck relay means the heating element will continue to heat regardless of the temperature setting or even when the oven is turned “off” through the control panel. The oven will lock the door and trip thermal fuses as a last-resort safety measure. This is one of the most serious oven faults — treat it as an emergency.
Immediate action
1. Turn off the oven at the circuit breaker immediately — the control panel “off” button cannot stop a stuck relay. 2. Do not open the oven door if it has locked. 3. Allow the oven to cool completely with the breaker off. 4. Do not restore power until a technician has inspected the unit.
Common causes
Relay contacts welded together from heat cycling (the most common cause), control board solder joint failure, or power surge that fused the relay contacts. This is a wear-and-age failure — more common in ovens over 8-10 years old.
Repair
The control board must be replaced — individual relays are not serviceable on Thermador oven boards. The technician will also inspect the thermal fuses (which may have blown as a safety backup) and the bake element (prolonged uncontrolled heating can damage the element). Schedule urgent service.
Error E118 quick reference
- Error code: E118
- Appliance type: Thermador Oven
- Severity: Critical
- Repair type: Needs technician
- Affected components: Control board relay, bake element, wiring, thermal fuse
Troubleshooting Thermador E118 step by step
- Power reset: Turn off the appliance at the circuit breaker for 5 minutes, then restore power. If E118 clears and doesn’t return, a transient electrical issue caused it.
- Visual inspection: Check for obvious issues — loose connections, visible damage, water leaks, or unusual sounds from the affected components (Control board relay, bake element, wiring, thermal fuse).
- Document the error: Note when E118 first appeared, whether it’s constant or intermittent, and any other symptoms (sounds, smells, performance changes).
- Check related systems: Error codes can sometimes be triggered by adjacent systems — verify that water supply, electrical connections, and ventilation are functioning normally.
Professional diagnosis and repair
If E118 persists after a power reset, professional diagnosis is required. Our certified Thermador technicians use factory diagnostic tools to read stored error history, test individual components (Control board relay, bake element, wiring, thermal fuse), and identify the exact failure point.
Repair typically involves:
- Retrieving and analyzing stored fault codes from the control board
- Component-level testing of the Control board relay, bake element, wiring, thermal fuse
- Replacing failed components with genuine Thermador OEM parts
- Verifying the repair by running a test cycle and confirming the error clears
Preventing Thermador E118 from recurring
While some component failures are age-related and unavoidable, regular maintenance reduces the likelihood of error E118 recurring:
- Follow the maintenance schedule in your Thermador owner’s manual
- Keep the appliance clean — debris and buildup accelerate component wear
- Address minor issues early — small problems left unrepaired often trigger error codes
- Use a surge protector — power fluctuations can damage electronic control boards
For complete specifications and troubleshooting documentation, visit the Thermador official site. To schedule certified Thermador oven repair, Schedule service online — we service all Thermador models in all 50 states with genuine OEM parts and a 30-day labor warranty.
