Seeing E5 on a Bertazzoni range or oven usually points to a problem with the broiler fan or the way air is moving through the broiler cavity. In most cases it’s one of three things: a tired or seized fan motor, a blocked vent that’s choking airflow, or (less commonly) a control board that isn’t driving the fan correctly.
Start simple: power reset
Before you dive in, give the control board a chance to clear a glitch. Unplug the oven (or switch off the breaker) for about 30–60 seconds, then power it back up. If E5 disappears and stays gone, you’ve likely resolved a transient fault.
What E5 is really telling you
Your oven expects the broiler fan to spin and move hot air whenever the broiler runs. If the board doesn’t “see” that airflow (or the fan can’t spin freely), it throws E5 to protect the appliance from overheating or uneven broiling.
You’ll often notice one or more of these symptoms: the broiler runs hot in one spot and cool in another, food browns unevenly, you hear a rough or intermittent fan sound—or you hear nothing from the fan at all.
Quick checks you can do
Keep this short and practical:
- Look and listen: With power restored and the broiler started, listen for the fan. A smooth, steady whir is normal; grinding, rubbing, or silence suggests trouble.
- Air path check: After powering off and cooling down, inspect the broiler vent and surrounding areas for foil, splatter, or debris that might be blocking airflow. Even a modest obstruction can trigger E5.
- Spin test (power OFF): When it’s safe and cool, gently rotate the fan blade (if accessible). It should move freely without scraping. Stiffness or wobble points to a failing motor or bent blade.
If E5 returns right away—or the fan doesn’t spin cleanly—stop there. The next steps usually involve removing panels and testing components, which is best left to a qualified technician.
Likely causes and fixes
- Faulty fan motor: If the blade turns roughly or not at all, the motor bearings may be worn or the motor is failing. The cure is replacement with an OEM-spec broiler fan assembly.
- Blocked or restricted venting: Grease, foil, or a pan that hugs the vent can choke airflow. Clearing the obstruction often clears E5. Make sure cookware isn’t covering the vent during broiling.
- Control board issue (rarer): When the fan is mechanically sound and vents are clear, the control board may not be energizing the fan or reading feedback correctly. Diagnosis involves electrical testing and, if confirmed, board replacement.
Prevent E5 from coming back
Think ventilation and cleanliness. Wipe grease and splatter around the broiler area after heavy use, keep the broiler vent path open, and avoid overcrowding a broiler pan so air can circulate. If you notice the fan sound changing from smooth to raspy, schedule service before it escalates to an E5 lockout.
When to call a pro
If a reset doesn’t stick, if the fan won’t spin freely, or if E5 reappears during every broil cycle, it’s time for a technician. They’ll check voltage to the fan, test the motor windings, confirm the vent path, and rule out a failing board. Using genuine OEM parts matters here—proper airflow and heat management are central to how Bertazzoni broilers are designed.
Bottom line: E5 is your oven’s way of saying “the broiler isn’t moving air the way it should.” Try a reset, clear the airflow path, and listen to the fan. If it still acts up, a quick visit from a qualified tech—usually a fan motor swap or, less often, a control board fix—will get your Bertazzoni back to crisp, even broiling.
