How to troubleshoot an E11 error on your Thermador range

If you see an E11 error on your Thermador range, then it likely means that the self-cleaning door latch hasn’t properly locked the oven door before initiating a self-cleaning cycle. The door latch is a safety part that prevents the door from being opened while extreme heat is inside the oven during cleaning. Without a properly working latch, the oven control disables self-clean operation and displays the E11 code.

But we have good news for you: you can troubleshoot & resolve this error on your range at home, without an expensive service call or technician!

If you find out that you need any replacement parts for your Thermador range while you’re troubleshooting, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Important: The troubleshooting information in this article is based on model numbers starting with PDR36 and may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

How does the door latch work?

Many modern self-cleaning ovens have a specially designed electric door latch to automatically lock the oven door when cleaning mode is activated. This latch prevents the door from being opened during cleaning.

When the user starts a self-clean cycle, the electronic control board powers the electric latch motor. The motor contains a gear drive that rotates a cam to extend the latch outward. This rotating cam drives the latch into the “locked” position and fully engages with the door strike.

Switch contacts provide confirmation back to the control board once the latch is locked. After the high-temperature cleaning process is done, the motor rotates the cam back inward, retracts the latch and allows the oven door to be opened again.

If this process fails at any point, the E11 error will display on the range.

Read more: Electric Range Heating Coil Cleaning & Upkeep

What causes the E11 error?

Here are some of the reasons why the oven control may be unable to properly engage the electric door latch before the self-cleaning cycle:

• Loose, damaged, or fully disconnected wiring to the latch motor or switch contacts
• The latch motor fails to rotate the camshaft due to burned-out windings, a seized bearing, or a mechanical jam
• Misaligned parts like a bent cam or door strike
• Mechanical binding or deformation of parts like the latch, cam, strike plate, or door hinges
• Electronic control board failure

Read more: How To Remove A Stripped Screw

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• If you have a gas model, shut off the gas supply to prevent any leaks while you work.
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.

How to clear the E11 error

Make the E11 fault code disappear from your range by following these steps.

Step 1: Test the door latch wiring

1. Make sure the range is unplugged from the power outlet.
2. Remove the top or side access panel to expose the latch parts.
3. Check that the wiring connectors to the motor and switch contacts are fully inserted. Remove and reseat any loose connections.
4. Carefully inspect the wires for any damage, burnt insulation, or bare spots that could cause electrical issues. Replace the wires and/or insulation as needed.
5. Set a multimeter to continuity mode and use the probes to check each wire for continuity. The meter should make a beeping sound if there’s continuity. If there’s no continuity at any point on the wiring, replace the wiring.

If the wiring is good, continue troubleshooting.

Step 2: Test the latch motor

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the range needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

1. Plug the range back into the power outlet.
2. Initiate a self-clean cycle and monitor the latch function.
3. Set a multimeter to Volts AC mode and use the probes to check for 120VAC at the door latch motor when the self-clean mode is activated.

If 120 VAC is present but the motor doesn’t run, then the windings have failed and the motor needs to be replaced.

If there’s no voltage when the self-cleaning mode is activated, then the issue may be with the control board or wiring.

If you hear a clicking sound but the latch doesn’t rotate, then there’s likely either a jammed latch or a bad gear drive.

Step 3: Adjust the strike and latch

If the latch motor runs but fails to fully engage and lock the oven door, you may have to adjust the strike and latch.

• Check the cam and strike to make sure they’re aligned correctly and not bent in any way to prevent contact with the latch.
• If needed, carefully adjust the latch’s alignment by loosening motor mount bolts in small increments.
• If needed, adjust the door strike plate to alter the engagement contact points.
• Retest the door lock function several times to make sure it’s properly aligned.

If the latch assembly is damaged, replace it with a new one.

If the latch assembly is good and everything has passed testing so far, replace the control board as a last resort.

Read more: Noisy range hood: A troubleshooting guide

Additional information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your Thermador range working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

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