DIAGNOSIS That’s the fryer’s overheat protection kicking in. It’s a safety feature, and the most common trigger is a layer of oil or food debris caked onto the heating element or its cover inside the top of the unit.
FIX First, unplug it and let it cool down completely. Then, take a good look at the top of the cooking chamber. You’ll see a round metal heating element cover. That and the area around it need a thorough cleaning. 1) Unplug and cool. 2) Use a damp microfiber cloth or sponge with a bit of warm, soapy water to wipe down the inside top, especially that metal cover. Avoid abrasive pads. 3) Let it air dry fully. 4) Plug it in and try a simple test—set it to 350°F for 5 minutes. The ‘END’ message should clear.
IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the ‘END’ code persists, the internal thermostat might have tripped and needs to reset. Unplug the unit, leave it unplugged for a full 30 minutes to let the internal electronics fully power down, then plug it back in and try again.
HEADS UP Preventing this is all about cleaning up splatter after particularly greasy cooks. Letting grease build up on that heating element cover is the #1 cause of this error.