There are a couple of door problems GE microwave owners are familiar with. Today, we are going to talk about these GE microwave door problems and how to fix them.
Table of Contents
How to Replace a GE Microwave Door Handle
To replace a GE microwave door handle, follow these steps…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Open the door of the microwave and pry out the trim around the door.
Step 3: Now take out the two screws which hold the door handle in place.
Step 4: Remove the old door handle.
Step 5: Get a new door handle and position it on the door.
Step 6: Hold the door handle in place with the two screws.
Step 7: Realign the trim on the door and snap it into place.
Step 8: Close the door and plug the microwave back in.
The video below will show you how to replace a GE microwave door handle.
Why Does My GE Microwave Turn On When I Open the Door
If your GE microwave runs when the door is open, one of the door switches is faulty. To replace a GE microwave door switch do the following…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Take out the screws which hold the microwave front vent in place.
Step 3: Open the door of the microwave then slide the vent to the left side to take it out.
Step 4: Take out the two screws holding the control panel in place. There will be one screw at the left side of the control panel and another one behind it.
Step 5: Lift the control panel up to detach it from the microwave.
Step 6: Take out the two screws which hold the door switch holder to the frame.
Step 7: Take out the door switch holder.
Step 8: To determine which of the switches is faulty, press the little button on each one. If there is a strong click when you do so, the door switch is still good. But if the button feels loose, get a replacement switch.
Step 9: Take the door switch out of the holder.
Step 10: Disconnect the wires from it.
Step 11: Connect the wires to the new door switch.
Step 12: Place the door switch back on the holder.
Step 13: Align the holder on the microwave frame and secure it with the screws.
Step 14: Lift the control panel up and push it back into place.
Step 15: Use the two screws to secure the panel.
Step 16: Return the front vent and the screws at the top.
Step 17: Close the microwave door and plug it back in.
Watch the video below for a visual of how to replace a faulty GE microwave door switch.
How to Fix GE Microwave Door Latch
To fix a GE microwave door latch, do the following…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave from the outlet.
Step 2: Open the GE microwave door.
Step 3: Pry off the frame around the door. Do not use a knife to do this.
Step 4: The latch will be at the left. Pry the latch out.
Step 5: Get a new door latch.
Step 6: Hook the spring to the new door latch.
Step 7: Reattach the hooks on the latch to the door.
Step 8: Snap the door frame back into place.
Step 9: Close the microwave door.
Step 10: Plug the microwave back in.
The video below will show you how to repair a GE microwave door latch.
GE Microwave Buzzing When Door Is Closed
If your GE microwave is buzzing with the door closed, the magnetron is most likely the faulty component. To test and replace the magnetron in a GE microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Turn off and unplug your microwave.
Step 2: Open the cabinet door.
Step 3: Take out the bolts which secure the microwave to the cabinet. Have an assistant support the microwave as you do this.
Step 4: Tilt the microwave forward and pull the power cord through the hole in the cabinet.
Step 5: Lift the microwave off of the mounting plate on the wall.
Step 6: Place the microwave on a flat and sturdy surface lined with a cloth.
Step 7: Take out the screws at the securing the front grille. There will be two or three at the top.
Step 8: Open the microwave door and take out the grille.
Step 9: Also remove the glass tray and support if they are still inside.
Step 10: Close the microwave door.
Step 11: Rest the microwave on its back and take out all the screws securing the bottom panel.
Step 12: Disconnect the wire harness and remove the wires from the retainer.
Step 13: Set the bottom panel aside.
Step 14: Turn the microwave to sit on the bottom.
Step 15: Take out all the screws at the top, sides, and back which hold the microwave cover in place.
Step 16: Remove the microwave cover.
Step 17: Discharge the capacitor by placing a pair of needle nose pliers on the two terminals of the capacitor simultaneously. Make sure not to touch the metal portion of the pliers when you do this.
Step 18: Disconnect the wire connector connected to the magnetron.
Step 19: Take out the screws which hold the magnetron to the frame.
Step 20: Disconnect the thermoprotector wires.
Step 21: Take out the screws holding the thermoprotector to the magnetron.
Step 22: Test the magnetron for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, the magnetron is faulty. Click here to know how to test a magnetron for continuity using a multimeter.
Step 23: Get a new magnetron and screw the thermoprotector to it.
Step 24: Reconnect the wires to the thermoprotector.
Step 25: Align the microwave on the frame and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 26: Reconnect the wire connector to the magnetron.
Step 27: Make sure the power cord is hooked in the frame.
Step 28: Reposition the microwave cover and secure with all the screws.
Step 29: Lay the microwave on its back and return the bottom panel.
Step 30: Reconnect the wire harness and secure it in the retainer.
Step 40: Secure the bottom panel with the screws.
Step 41: Return the front grille and the screws at the top.
Step 42: Sit the microwave back on the mounting plate.
Step 43: Pass the power cord through the hole in the cabinet.
Step 44: Secure the microwave to the cabinet using the bolts.
Step 45: Return the microwave glass tray and support.
Step 46: Plug the microwave back in.
The video below is going to walk you through how to replace a GE microwave magnetron.
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How to Install a Frigidaire Microwave… [Detailed Guide]
Frigidaire Microwave Turntable [Issues & Solutions]
GE Microwave Tripping Breaker When Door Is Opened
If your GE microwave trips the breaker when the door is opened, it is most likely because of a faulty door switch. To replace a GE microwave door switch, follow the steps listed below…
Step 1: Unplug your microwave.
Step 2: Take out the screws which hold the microwave front grille in place. Depending on the model of your microwave, there will be two or three screws.
Step 3: Open the GE microwave door.
Step 4: Slide the front grille to the left then remove it.
Step 5: Take out the screw at the left side of the control panel. Also take out the other screw behind it.
Step 6: Lift the control panel up then lower it down.
Step 7: Take out the screws securing the door switch holder to the frame.
Step 8: Detach the upper door switch from the holder.
Step 9: To determine if the door switch is faulty or not, press the small button on it. If there is a strong click, return it. However, if the button feels loose, it is faulty.
Step 10: Do this same test with the other door switches to determine which one is faulty.
Step 11: Get a new door switch.
Step 12: Disconnect the wires from the faulty door switch and connect them to the new one.
Step 13: Place the door switch back in the holder.
Step 14: Align the holder on the frame and secure it with the screws.
Step 15: Push the control panel back in and return the screw behind it and the other one at the side.
Step 16: Return the front grille and the screws at the top.
Step 17: Plug the microwave back in.
The video below will show you how to replace a GE microwave door switch step by step.
How to Unlock a GE Microwave
To lock or unlock a GE microwave, simply hold down the CLEAR/OFF button for three seconds. On some other microwave models, you will need to hold down the “5” and “7” button for three seconds.
