Ninja Air Fryer F16 Error Code Guide (Real-World Fixes)

by

What This Error Means

F16 on a Ninja air fryer is generally an internal temperature system fault / overheat protection alert.

Exact behavior can vary by model, so always cross-check your specific manual, but in practice this code means the control board is not happy with the temperature readings and refuses to heat normally.

Translation: the fryer thinks it’s running too hot or reading the heat wrong, so it shuts itself down instead of cooking.

Official Fix

Here’s the straight “by-the-book” move before anything else:

  • Hit Stop/Cancel and unplug the air fryer from the wall.
  • Let it sit and cool for at least 15–30 minutes. If it’s still hot inside, F16 often won’t clear.
  • Check placement: give it at least 5" (about a hand-width) of space on all sides and above. No cabinets right over the exhaust if you can help it.
  • Make sure nothing is blocking the rear or side vents. No foil, boxes, towels, or plastic jammed up against the back.
  • Pull out the basket and crisper plate, dump crumbs, and wipe out heavy grease. Dry everything and click the basket fully back into place.
  • Plug it directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension cord.
  • Power it up and run a short test: 3–5 minutes at a low temp (300–350°F / 150–180°C).
  • If F16 flashes again, the official line is: stop using it and contact Ninja support or the retailer. At that point they treat it as an internal fault that needs service or replacement.

If it’s still under warranty, do not open the casing. Ninja will just swap or service it if the code is confirmed.

The Technician’s Trick

Real-world fix that usually comes before “buy a new one”, and doesn’t involve opening the shell.

  • Kill the power properly
    • Unplug the fryer and let it cool completely. Not warm – cool.
    • Give it at least 30 minutes if you’ve just cooked something greasy or long-running.
  • Clean the temperature sensor zone
    • Pull out the basket and look up at the “ceiling” of the cook chamber.
    • You’ll see the heater, fan guard, and often a small metal nub or probe. That’s usually the temp sensor area.
    • Grease bakes onto that sensor and the nearby metal. When it’s coated, readings go stupid and you get codes like F16.
    • Use a soft cloth or paper towel lightly dampened with warm, soapy water.
    • Gently wipe the metal probe and surrounding metal. No soaking, no spraying directly into the machine.
    • For stubborn gunk, use a soft toothbrush. No steel wool, no abrasive pads.
  • Clear the airflow path
    • Flip the unit around and vacuum or brush the rear and side vents. Dust and crumbs cook onto those too.
    • From inside the basket cavity, brush the fan guard to knock loose flaky grease (keep it dry or barely damp).
    • Airflow issues make the unit think it’s overheating and can trigger F16.
  • Hard reset the electronics
    • With the fryer still unplugged, press and hold the Power or Start/Stop button for 15–20 seconds. This helps drain any leftover charge from the board.
    • Wait another 60 seconds, then plug it back into a good wall outlet.
  • Run a controlled test
    • Reinstall the basket and crisper plate.
    • Set it to around 350°F / 180°C and run it empty for 5–10 minutes.
    • Watch the display. If it heats normally and no F16 shows, the sensor and airflow cleanup probably did the trick.
  • Know when it’s deeper
    • If F16 comes back quickly, especially every time you try to heat, you’re likely dealing with a failing temperature sensor, thermal cutoff, or main control board.
    • Those are internal parts. If you’re not experienced with mains-powered appliances, that’s pro-repair or replace territory.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Still under warranty, only throws F16 after long or greasy cooks, no burning smell, and everything else works fine after a cool-down and cleaning.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Out of warranty, error is on-and-off, and a shop quote for board/sensor work is more than half the cost of a new mid-range air fryer.
  • ❌ Replace: F16 shows almost every time, you smell burnt electronics, see scorch marks or cracked plastic, or a tech confirms a bad board plus other wear.

Parts You Might Need

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

See also

Working through other appliance error codes too? These breakdown guides can help: