KitchenAid Stand Mixer F43 Fix (Error Code Guide)

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What This Error Means

F43 on a KitchenAid stand mixer means the control board has detected a motor overload or motor drive fault.

Translated: the mixer tried to turn, the motor stalled or overheated, so the electronics shut it down and flashed F43.

Official Fix

This is the safe, by-the-book route. What KitchenAid expects you to do:

  • Turn the speed control to OFF and unplug the mixer from the wall.
  • Let it sit at least 20–30 minutes. The internal thermal protector needs time to reset if the motor overheated.
  • Pull the bowl and attachment off. Scrape heavy dough or batter out of the bowl so you are not restarting under full load.
  • Check the beater or hook. If it is bent, scraping the bowl hard, or packed solid with dough, fix that before you power up.
  • With the mixer still unplugged, try turning the planetary (where the beater locks in) by hand. It should move, with some resistance. If it is locked solid, something in the gear train is jammed.
  • Plug the mixer back in, set the speed to STIR (lowest), and start it empty for a few seconds.
  • If it runs smooth with no F43, your issue was simple overload. Keep your batch sizes smaller and speeds realistic for heavy doughs.
  • If F43 pops up again right away, or the motor just hums or clicks and stops, the official answer is: stop using it and schedule service with an authorized KitchenAid repair center. Likely parts: motor, control board, or gear train.

If the mixer is under warranty, do not open the housing. Call KitchenAid support and log it as an F43 motor fault.

The Technician's Trick

Only do this if you are out of warranty and comfortable with tools. Unplug first, always.

  • Remove the trim band and top cover screws so you can see the gearbox (on most tilt-head models, the screws are under the chrome band and on the back cap).
  • Lift the top cover. Look at the big worm gear. If the teeth are shredded, packed with plastic/metal dust, or the grease is burned and black, the gear is likely your problem, not the electronics.
  • Try turning the motor shaft or worm gear by hand. If it barely moves or grinds, the gear train is binding. That load will trip F43 fast.
  • Now pop off the rear cover. Check the speed control / phase control board. Burn marks, cracked components, or a strong burnt smell mean that board is suspect.
  • Decision time:
    • If gears are damaged but the board looks clean: plan on a worm gear kit and fresh grease.
    • If gears spin freely but the board is cooked: plan on a new control board.
    • If both look rough: price out both before you throw more money at it.
  • Reassemble carefully, keeping wiring exactly where it was. These mixers are tough, but sloppy reassembly can fry the new parts.

This is exactly what a bench tech does: confirm the motor turns, check the sacrificial gear, then condemn the board last. Do that homework before you just buy a whole new mixer.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Recent Pro or Artisan model, housing and bowl in good shape, and you are only looking at a worm gear kit or single control board.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Older mixer with heavy cosmetic damage, multiple suspected parts (gear + board + motor), or repair quotes over ~50% of a comparable new unit.
  • ❌ Replace: Cracked housing, badly burned motor, or repair parts plus labor push close to the price of a new mixer with warranty.

Parts You Might Need

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See also

Working through other error codes around the house? These guides cut straight to the fixes: