GE induction range will not accept personality code after UI control board replacement and is stuck on INSERT with F620 and F31 errors

Oven/Range/Cooktop Repair
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1

Brand: GE
Model Number: PHS920SF2SS. Serial Number: SG258456Q
Main Symptom: Stuck on “INSERT” and will not complete setup after replacing control board

What happens & when:
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After replacing the UI control board (WB27X21393), the range powers on and runs through a normal startup sequence (all segments light, then firmware string “06 36A5 06” appears). It then shows a flashing “INSERT” message. The clock briefly shows 12:00, then F31 appears, followed by F620. The unit remains in this state and will not operate.

If I press Start immediately after power-up, I can access what appears to be configuration mode (display shows “-- --”). I can enter a 4-digit code, but when I press Start to confirm, it returns “Err in” and exits.

To compare behavior, I reinstalled the original control board. With the original board, the induction cooktop works normally, but the oven fails after extended use. After about an hour of baking, the oven stops heating and the oven light button becomes unresponsive, although the light still works when the door is opened. The oven then works again after cooling down. This heat-related failure is what led me to replace the control board initially.

Error Code (if any):
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F620, F31, and flashing “INSERT”

After installing the new board and applying power, all display segments briefly illuminate (normal POST).

  1. The display shows a firmware-like string: “06 36A5 06”
  2. Then “INSERT” begins flashing.
  3. The clock shows 12:00, then:

    • F31 appears

    • Then F620 replaces the clock

  4. The unit remains in this state.

Parts or tests already tried:

Replaced UI control board with WB27X21393

Verified installation and reseated ribbon cables multiple times (buttons now respond)

Confirmed cooling fan is operating

Confirmed oven worked prior to control board replacement to the extent described above.

Attempted personality codes: 2416, 2417, 2418, 2419, 2420, 2422 (all return “Err in”)

Unit has a warming drawer. The UI board powers up and responds, but button mapping is inconsistent before entering config. The board allows entry into configuration mode but rejects all valid personality codes.

2

What was the original issue that led to the user interface control being replaced and was the touchpad properly functional before replacing the user interface control?

3

The original issue that led me to replace the user interface control board was a heat-related failure of the oven during longer cooking cycles.

With the original board installed, the range operates normally at first. The induction cooktop works fine, and the oven preheats and begins cooking as expected. However, after approximately one hour of operation (for example, cooking at 225°F for an extended period or baking at 325°F+), the oven stops heating even though it appears to still be running. At the same time, the oven light button on the control panel becomes unresponsive, although the light still turns on when the door is opened. After the unit cools down completely, normal operation returns.

This behavior led me to suspect a failing UI control board, particularly due to the loss of button response coinciding with the heating failure.

To answer your second question, prior to replacement, the touchpad was fully functional when the oven was cold or during shorter cooking cycles. All buttons responded normally until the oven had been running for an extended period, at which point certain buttons (notably the oven light button) would stop responding.

I have since reinstalled the original board, and the unit is currently operating normally again during shorter test cooks (e.g., 350°F for 30 minutes). I have not yet re-tested a longer-duration cook to confirm whether the original failure condition still occurs.

Thank you for your help—I appreciate any guidance on whether this still points to the UI board or possibly another component.

4

While the original user interface is installed, if you press timer on, clock, and upper start at the same time, the display should show F-cd. If you press the number 1, a log should show up where it will display a 3 digit number followed by a number and a letter. If you press 1 again, does an error code show up? The clear/off button can be pressed to exit this mode.

5

Thank you for the guidance—that was very helpful.

I was able to enter the diagnostic mode using Timer On + Set Clock + Start and confirmed that “F-cd” appears. After pressing “1,” the first screen displayed “AAA 7- --,” and pressing “1” again displayed “1 FA00” (with the “1” in red and “FA00” in green).

Based on this, it appears that there are no stored fault codes in the system.

To provide additional context, the original issue that led me to replace the UI control board was a heat-related failure during longer cooking cycles. The oven would operate normally at first, but after approximately one hour, it would stop heating even though it appeared to still be running. At the same time, the oven light button on the control panel would stop responding (although the light still worked when opening the door). After the unit cooled down, normal operation would return. Shorter cooking cycles did not exhibit this problem.

At this point, I have reinstalled the original control board and the unit is currently working during shorter test runs (e.g., 350°F for 30 minutes), but I have not yet repeated a longer-duration cook to confirm whether the original failure reoccurs.

I will be leaving town for a cross-country trip and will not be back until April 21st. I will follow up with additional testing and results once I return.

Thank you again for your assistance—I appreciate your help in narrowing this down.

6

When the unit stops heating and the light button is pressed, does it chime or act in any way like the interface registers the button being pressed? I ask because it may be possible that the issue is with the relay control WB27X20891 instead of the user interface. It controls the heat relays and the light relay, as well as personality match with the user interface.