If your microwave isn’t working or some buttons on the control panel just won’t respond, keep reading. In this article we are going to show you reasons your GE microwave is not working and how to fix it.
Table of Contents
GE Microwave is Not Working after Power Outage
If your GE microwave is not working after a power outage, the first thing you should do is reset it. Go to the circuit breaker in your house and find the one for your microwave. Switch is off and leave for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, switch it back on and test the microwave. If your GE microwave is not working still, the line fuse may have blown. To replace the line fuse in a GE microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave. Always ensure to do this before performing a repair on any electrical appliance.
Step 2: Take out the screws at the top of the front grille.
Step 3: Open the microwave door.
Step 4: Slide the grille to the side then lift it out.
Step 5: Take out the screws which hold the control panel in place. There will be one next to it and another one at the back.
Step 6: Lift the control panel up then gently pull it out.
Step 7: Take out the screw that holds the inner access panel in place.
Step 8: Remove the inner access panel.
Step 9: Inside you will see the line fuse in the bracket, take it out. Once you gain access into the microwave, make sure not to touch any of the other components except the fuse.
Step 10: Using a multimeter, test the fuse for continuity, if there is no continuity the fuse is damaged. If the fuse appears of smells burnt in any way, replace it.
Step 11: Get a new line fuse and place it in the holder.
Step 12: Return the inner access panel and hold it in place with the screw.
Step 13: Push the control panel back in and secure it with the two screws.
Step 14: Also return the front grille and secure with the screws.
Step 15: Close the microwave door and plug it back in.
Watch the video below if you would like a video on how to replace the line fuse in a GE microwave.
GE Microwave is Not Working
There are some possible reasons why your GE microwave is not working so we will talk about how to fix them.
The Thermal Fuse
To test and replace the thermal fuse in a GE microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Turn off and unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Take out the screws at the top of the microwave front vent.
Step 3: Slide the front vent to the left side and pull it out.
Step 4: Take out the screw beside the control panel and loosen the other screw behind it as well.
Step 5: Lift the microwave control panel up then lower it down slowly.
Step 6: Disconnect the wires from the thermal fuse.
Step 7: Take out the screw which secures the fuse to the frame.
Step 8: Remove the fuse.
Step 9: Using a multimeter, test the fuse for continuity. If there is no continuity, get a new thermal fuse.
Step 10: Position the thermal fuse in the microwave and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 11: Reconnect the wires to the fuse.
Step 12: Lift the control panel up and push it back into place.
Step 13: Tighten the screw behind it and return the other one at the side.
Step 14: Return the front vent to the microwave and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 15: Plug the microwave back in.
If you would like to know what a thermal fuse does in a microwave, click here
Below is a video walking you though how to replace the thermal fuse in a GE microwave.
The Door Switch
Another reason your GE microwave is not working may be because of a faulty door switch. To know how to replace the door switch in a GE microwave, click here
The Control Board
In some rare cases, a bad control board may be the reason your GE microwave is not working. Before deciding to replace the control board, you should call an experienced technician to determine whether it is actually faulty. To replace the control board of your GE microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Take out the screws at the top of the microwave front vent.
Step 3: Push the front vent to the left then take it out.
Step 4: Take out the screw next to the panel and the other screw behind it.
Step 5: Lift the control panel up then lower it down carefully.
Step 6: Take a picture of the control board to know where each wire goes on it.
Step 7: Disconnect the wires form the control board.
Step 8: Also unscrew the grounding wire to fully remove the control panel and board.
Step 9: Place the control panel on a flat surface.
Step 10: Disconnect the ribbon connector on the control board.
Step 11: Take out the screws which secure the control board to the control panel.
Step 12: Get a new control board and screw it to the control panel.
Step 13: Take the control panel back to the microwave and screw the grounding wire to it.
Step 14: Reconnect the wires to all the right places on the control board.
Step 15: Push the control panel back in.
Step 16: Return the screw behind the microwave and the other one right next to it.
Step 17: Push the front grille back in and secure it with the screws.
Step 18: Plug the microwave back in.
If all the buttons on your GE microwave are not working, you should also try replacing the control board.
If you would like a visual on how to replace the control board in a GE microwave, watch the video below.
The Diode
To replace diode in a GE microwave, follow these steps…
Step 1: Turn off and unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Take out the two screws at the top of the microwave front grille.
Step 3: Open the door of the microwave.
Step 4: Pull out the front grille.
Step 5: Take out the screw right next to the control panel. This screw holds the control panel in place.
Step 6: Lift up the control panel.
Step 7: Now take out the screws which hold the inner access panel in place.
Step 8: Remove the panel and set it aside.
Step 9: Place a pair of pliers with an insulated handle on the terminals of the capacitor simultaneously to discharge it.
Step 10: Disconnect the diode from the capacitor using the pliers.
Step 11: Take out the screw holding the diode to the frame.
Step 12: Get a new diode and connect it to the capacitor.
Step 13: Screw the diode to the frame.
Step 14: Position the inner door access panel and secure it using the screws.
Step 15: Lift up the control panel assembly and push it in.
Step 16: Return the screw at the side.
Step 17: Return the front grille and the screws which hold it in place.
Step 18: Plug the microwave back in.
The video below will show you how to replace the diode in a GE oven.
The Capacitor
Follow the steps below to test and replace a GE microwave capacitor…
Step 1: Turn off the microwave and unplug it from the outlet. Remove the glass tray and support from the microwave.
Step 2: Have someone support the microwave while you take out the bolts which secure it to the cabinet.
Step 3: Lift up the microwave and place on a cloth lined sturdy surface.
Step 4: Open the microwave door and take out the glass tray and support.
Step 5: Take out the screws which hold the microwave’s front vent in place.
Step 6: Set the front vent aside.
Step 7: Turn the microwave to rest on its back panel.
Step 8: Take out the screws securing the bottom panel.
Step 9: Disconnect the wire harness connected to the bottom panel.
Step 10: Turn the microwave back.
Step 11: Take out the screws which hold the microwave cover in place. There will be screws at the top, sides, and back of the microwave.
Step 12: Lift the microwave cover off.
Step 13: Place a pair of pliers across the capacitor terminals simultaneously to discharge it. There will be a pop when the capacitor has been discharged.
Step 14: Use the pliers to disconnect the diode and wires from the capacitor.
Step 15: Take out the screws holding the capacitor in place.
Step 16: Test the capacitor for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, get a new capacitor.
Step 17: Transfer the metal mounting bracket from the old capacitor to the new one.
Step 18: Screw the new capacitor into place.
Step 19: Reconnect the wires and diode to the right capacitor terminals.
Step 20: Align the microwave cover on the microwave and screw it into place.
Step 21: Return the front grille of the microwave and the screws which secure it.
Step 22: Rest the microwave on its back panel once again.
Step 23: Reconnect the wire harness to the bottom panel and secure it in the twist retainer.
Step 24: Screw the bottom panel into place.
Step 25: Lift the microwave up and sit it back on the mounting plate.
Step 26: Pass the power cord through the hole in the top cabinet.
Step 27: Secure the microwave to the cabinet with the bolts.
Step 28: Return the glass tray and support.
Step 29: Plug the microwave back in.
The video below will walk you through the process of replacing the capacitor in a GE microwave.
The Magnetron
To test and replace the magnetron in a GE microwave, follow the steps listed below…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Take out the glass tray and support.
Step 3: Remove the screws securing the microwave to the cabinet.
Step 4: Lift the microwave off the mounting plate on the wall and set it on a cloth lined sturdy surface.
Step 5: Take out the screws at the top of the front vent and remove the front vent.
Step 6: Set the microwave on its back and take out the screws which hold the bottom panel in place.
Step 7: Disconnect the wire connector from the bottom panel and set the panel aside.
Step 8: Take out the screws on the back, top, and sides of the microwave holding its cover in place.
Step 9: Remove the microwave cover.
Step 10: Discharge the capacitor by using a pair of pliers to touch the terminals of the capacitor at the same time. There will be a pop when the capacitor is discharged.
Step 11: Disconnect the magnetron’s wire connector.
Step 12: Take out the screws which hold the magnetron to the frame.
Step 13: Disconnect the thermoprotector wire.
Step 14: Take out the screws which hold the thermoprotector to the magnetron.
Step 15: Test the magnetron for continuity using a multimeter. Get a new magnetron if there is no continuity.
Step 16: Screw the thermoprotector to the new magnetron.
Step 17: Reconnect the thermoprotector wire.
Step 18: Position the magnetron and secure it with the screws.
Step 19: Reconnect the magnetron’s wire connector.
Step 20: Return the microwave cover and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 21: Return the front vent and the screws which secure it.
Step 22: Turn the microwave to rest on its back.
Step 23: Reconnect the wire to the bottom panel and screw the panel into place.
Step 24: Sit the microwave back on the mounting plate and pass the power cord through the hole in the cabinet.
Step 25: Screw the microwave to the cabinet.
Step 26: Return the glass tray and support.
Step 27: Plug the microwave back in.
The video below will show you how to replace the magnetron in a GE microwave.
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GE Microwave Door Latch is Not Working
To fix the door latch of your GE microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Open the microwave door.
Step 3: Using a putty knife, pry out the frame around the door carefully.
Step 4: Remove the frame.
Step 5: Take out the door latch.
Step 6: You could buy a new door latch or reattach the spring. To reattach the spring, you will need to drill a hole into the door latch.
Step 7: Using a drill, drill a hole in the door latch to reattach the spring to.
Step 8: Hook the spring to the door latch.
Step 9: Reattach the door latch and spring to the microwave.
Step 10: Align the door frame and snap it back into place.
Step 11: Close the door and plug the microwave back in.
The video below shows you how to fix a GE microwave door latch.
GE Microwave Some Buttons are Not Working
If some of some buttons on your GE microwave are not working, it may because of a faulty touchpad or control panel. To replace the touchpad of a GE microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Try pressing each button on the control panel. If just some of the buttons work, you will need to replace the touchpad.
Step 2: Turn the microwave off and unplug it from the power source
Step 3: Open the door of the microwave.
Step 4: Take out the screws at the top of the microwave which hold the front vent in place. Depending on the model of your microwave, there will be two or three screws.
Step 5: Slide the front vent to the left side then take it out.
Step 6: On the left side of the control panel, there will be one screw, take it out.
Step 7: There will also be another screw behind the control panel, take that one out as well.
Step 8: Lift the control panel up then lower it down.
Step 9: Take a picture to know where each wire goes on the control board then disconnect them.
Step 10: Place the control panel on a flat surface.
Step 11: Disconnect the ribbon connector of the control board.
Step 12: Take out all the screws which secure the control board to the control panel.
Step 13: Lift the control board out.
Step 14: You should see the touchpad membrane now. Peel it of the control panel carefully.
Step 15: Note the placement of the touchpad to ensure you stick the new one to the control panel in the right way.
Step 16: Stick the new touchpad to the control panel making sure that every edge and corner is well aligned.
Step 17: Bring back the control board and place on the control panel.
Step 18: Secure the control board to the panel using the screws.
Step 19: Reconnect the ribbon connector to the control board.
Step 20: Take the control panel back to the microwave and make sure you reconnect all the wires to the right places.
Step 21: Insert the tabs on the control panel into the slots in the microwave then push downwards to secure.
Step 22: Hold the control panel in place with the screw at the back and the left side.
Step 23: Return the microwave front vent and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 24: Close the door of the microwave and plug it back in.
The Control Panel
To replace the control panel in a GE microwave, do the following.
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Take out the screws which hold the front grille of the microwave in place.
Step 3: Slide the grille to the left then take it out.
Step 4: Take out the screws which secure the control panel. There will be one beside it and another one behind it.
Step 5: Lift the control panel up then lower it down.
Step 6: Note where each wire goes on the control board then disconnect them. You can take a picture to make it easier.
Step 7: Unscrew the grounding wire.
Step 8: Place the control panel on a flat surface.
Step 9: Disconnect the ribbon connector on the control board.
Step 10: Take out all the screws that secure the control board to the control panel.
Step 11: Lift the control board from the control panel.
Step 12: Get a new control panel and place the control board on it.
Step 13: Hold the control board in place with the screws.
Step 14: Reconnect the ribbon connector.
Step 15: Screw the grounding wire back.
Step 16: Reconnect all the wires to the right places on the control board.
Step 17: Insert the tabs on the control panel into the slots then push it in.
Step 18: Return the screw behind the panel and the other one right next to it.
Step 19: Reposition the front grille and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 20: Plug the microwave back in and close the door.
Watch the video below if you would like a visual on how to replace a GE microwave control panel.
