Is your microwave display not working or is the microwave working but not heating? If this is the case, you are in the right place. In this article, we show you what to do if your Whirlpool microwave is not working.
Table of Contents
Whirlpool Microwave Display is Not Working after Power Outage
If your Whirlpool microwave display is blank after a power outage, first try resetting it. Unplug the microwave and turn off the circuit breaker for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, turn the circuit breaker on and plug the microwave back in. If the display of your Whirlpool microwave is not working still, it might be the result of a blown fuse. To replace the fuse in a Whirlpool microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Turn off and unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Using a screwdriver, take out the screws holding the front grille in place. Depending on your microwave model, there will be 2-4 screws.
Step 3: Lift the front grille out.
Step 4: Open the door of the microwave.
Step 5: Take out the screw at the top of the control panel which secures it to the microwave.
Step 6: Lift the control panel up the lower it down.
Step 7: Take out the screws holding the inner access panel in place.
Step 8: Take out the inner access panel.
Step 9: Using a pair of pliers with insulated handles, discharge the capacitor before going any further.
Step 10: Place the plier over the terminals of the capacitor. When you hear a small pop, it has been discharged.
Step 11: Using the same pair of pliers, detach the fuse from the bracket.
Step 12: Get a new fuse and sit it in the bracket.
Step 13: Realign the inner access panel and hold it in place with the two screws.
Step 14: Push the control panel tabs back in the slots and secure with the screw.
Step 15: Return the front grille and the screws at the top.
Step 16: Plug the microwave back in.
Display of Whirlpool Microwave Is Not Working
If the display of your Whirlpool microwave is not working, you may need to replace the control board or control panel. To know how to replace these components, read this article.
Whirlpool Microwave is Working but Not Heating
If your Whirlpool microwave is working but not heating, it may because of a faulty diode, capacitor, thermal fuse, door switch, or line fuse. To replace the diode in a Whirlpool microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Take out the screws securing the front grille.
Step 4: Take out the grille.
Step 5: Take out the screw at the top of the control panel.
Step 6: Lift the control panel up.
Step 7: Remove the two screws holding the inner access panel in place.
Step 8: Take out the inner access panel.
Step 9: Using a screwdriver with an insulated handle, discharge the capacitor. Place the screwdriver over the two terminals of the capacitor. When you hear a pop, the capacitor has been discharged.
Step 10: Take out the screw which secures the diode to the frame.
Step 11: Use a pair of pliers to disconnect the diode from the capacitor.
Step 12: Get a new diode and connect it to the capacitor then screw it down to the frame.
Step 13: Return the inner access panel and secure with the two screws.
Step 14: Push the control panel in and return the screw at the top.
Step 15: Align the front grille and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 16: Plug the microwave back in.
If your Whirlpool microwave is still not heating, try replacing the door switch…
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How To Replace Whirlpool Microwave Door Switch
To replace the door switch in a Whirlpool microwave, follow these few steps…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Take out the screws which hold the microwave front vent in place.
Step 3: Remove the front vent.
Step 4: Right above the control panel, there will be a screw. Take it out.
Step 5: Lift the control panel up then lower it down.
Step 6: Take out the screw which secures the door switch holder to the frame.
Step 7: Take the door switch holder out.
Step 8: Use a pair of pliers to remove the interlock spring.
Step 9: Take out the door switch from the holder.
Step 10: To test if the switch is good or not, press the little button on it. If the button feels loose when pressed, the door switch is faulty. However, if there is a strong click, the switch is still good. Do this same test with the other switches to determine which one is faulty.
Step 11: Get a new switch.
Step 12: Disconnect the wires from the old switch and connect it to the new switch.
Step 13: Snap the switch back into the holder.
Step 14: Return the interlock spring.
Step 15: Reposition the door switch holder on the frame then hold it in place with the screw you removed earlier on.
Step 16: Push the control panel in and secure it with the screw above it.
Step 17: Realign the front vent and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 18: Plug the microwave back in.
If your Whirlpool microwave is still not heating, keep reading.
To replace the thermal fuse in a microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Turn off and unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Take out the screws at the top of the front grille.
Step 3: Remove the grille.
Step 4: Take out the screw at the top of the control panel.
Step 5: Lift the control panel up then lower it down.
Step 6: Inside the microwave, you will see the thermal fuse at the bottom. Disconnect the wires connected to it.
Step 7: Take out the screw which holds the thermal fuse down.
Step 8: Get a new thermal fuse and screw it down.
Step 9: Connect the wires to the thermal fuse.
Step 10: Insert the tabs on the control panel back into the slots then hold the panel in place with the screw.
Step 11: Reposition the front grille and return the screws at the top. If your Whirlpool microwave is not working still, you may need to replace the line fuse. Read the “Whirlpool microwave display is not working” section to know how to do this.
The Capacitor
If your Whirlpool microwave is not working after testing the components above, you should test and maybe replace the capacitor. To test and replace the capacitor in a Whirlpool microwave, follow the steps listed below…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Open the microwave door and take out the glass tray and support.
Step 3: Open the top cabinet door and take out the bolts which secure the microwave to it.
Step 4: Lift the microwave off the mounting plate on the wall and set on a cloth lined surface.
Step 5: Set the microwave on its back.
Step 6: Take out the screws which hold the bottom panel of the microwave in place.
Step 7: Disconnect the wires connected to the turntable motor.
Step 8: Disconnect the other wire harness connected to the bottom panel and unhook it from the retainer.
Step 9: Now you can fully remove the bottom panel.
Step 10: Turn the microwave back to its usual position and prop up the front with a thick book or plank.
Step 11: Take out the screws which hold the front grille in place.
Step 12: Open the microwave door and remove the front grille.
Step 13: Take out the screws which hold the microwave blower cover in place.
Step 14: Set the blower cover aside.
Step 15: Take out the screws on the top, back, and sides of the microwave which secure the cover.
Step 16: Remove the cover and set it aside.
Step 17: Place a screwdriver with an insulated handle across the terminals of the capacitor to discharge it. There will be a small pop to let you know the capacitor has been discharged.
Step 18: Disconnect the diode from the capacitor with a pair of pliers.
Step 19: Disconnect the wires from the capacitor making sure to note where each one goes.
Step 20: Take out the screws which hold the capacitor in place.
Step 21: Remove the mounting bracket from the old capacitor.
Step 22: Using a multimeter, test the capacitor for continuity. If there is no continuity, get a new capacitor.
Step 23: Position the mounting bracket on the new capacitor.
Step 24: Align the capacitor in the microwave and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 25: Reconnect the wires to the right capacitor terminals.
Step 26: Connect the diode as well.
Step 27: Reposition the microwave cover and secure it using the screws.
Step 28: Return the blower cover and the screws which secure it.
Step 29: Return the front grille to the microwave.
Step 30: Hold the grille in place with the screws.
Step 31: Rest the microwave on its back.
Step 32: Reconnect the wire to the bottom panel and secure it in the retainer.
Step 33: Connect the wires back to the turntable motor.
Step 34: Screw the bottom panel into place.
Step 35: Lift the microwave up and sit it on the mounting plate.
Step 36: Pass the power through the hole in the top cabinet.
Step 37: Secure the microwave to the cabinet using the bolts.
Step 38: Open the microwave door and return the glass tray and support.
Step 39: Close the microwave door.
Step 40: Plug the microwave back in.
The video below will walk you through the process of replacing the capacitor in a Whirlpool microwave.
The Magnetron
If you have tested all the components listed above and your Whirlpool microwave is not working still, the magnetron may be faulty. Before replacing the magnetron, note that it is a very expensive and complicated repair. If you don’t have any experience fixing microwaves, do not attempt this. To replace the magnetron in a Whirlpool microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Open the cabinet door and take out the bolts that secure the microwave to it. Have someone support the microwave as you do this.
Step 3: Tilt the microwave forward and pass the power cord through the hole in the cabinet.
Step 4: Lift the microwave off the bracket on the wall and place on a towel lined sturdy surface.
Step 5: Take out the screws at the top of the front grille.
Step 6: Open the door of the microwave and take out the front grille.
Step 7: Take out the glass tray and support in the microwave.
Step 8: Close the microwave door and rest the microwave on its back.
Step 9: Take out all the screws which hold the bottom panel of the microwave in place.
Step 10: Disconnect the wire harness and gently pull the wire free.
Step 11: Note where each wire goes on the turntable motor then disconnect them to fully remove the bottom panel of the microwave.
Step 12: Turn the microwave back up.
Step 13: Take out all the screws at the top of the microwave which hold the cover in place.
Step 14: Also take out the screws which hold the blower cover in place.
Step 15: Remove the blower cover.
Step 16: Lift the microwave cover and take it out.
Step 17: Discharge the capacitor. You can do this by placing a screwdriver or a pair of pliers over the terminals of the capacitor simultaneously.
Step 18: Take out the screw securing the grounding wire.
Step 19: Take out the screws that hold the air baffle in place.
Step 20: Pull out the baffle.
Step 21: Note where each wire goes on the magnetron then disconnect them.
Step 22: Take out the screws holding the thermo protector in place.
Step 23: Take out the four screws which secure the magnetron to the microwave.
Step 24: Lift the magnetron out and test it using a multimeter. Get a new magnetron if there is no continuity.
Step 25: Before installing the new magnetron, ensure that the seal is in place.
Step 26: Align the magnetron in the microwave and hold it in place with the four screws.
Step 27: Reconnect the wires to the right terminals of the magnetron.
Step 28: Reposition the thermal protector on the magnetron and secure it using the screws.
Step 29: Position the air baffle and secure with the screws.
Step 30: Screw the grounding wire back to the microwave frame.
Step 31: Before returning the cover to the microwave, ensure that the power cord is secured.
Step 32: Realign the microwave cover.
Step 33: Return the screws at the back and top of the microwave to secure the cover.
Step 34: Position the blower cover and hold it in place with the screws.
Step 35: Rest the microwave on its back again.
Step 36: Return the bottom panel to the microwave and reconnect the wires to the right terminals of the turntable motor.
Step 37: Realign the wire in the frame and reconnect the wire harness.
Step 38: Screw the bottom panel back.
Step 39: Turn the microwave back.
Step 40: Return the front grille to the microwave and secure with the screws.
Step 41: Lift the microwave up sit it on the mounting bracket.
Step 42: Pass the power cord through the hole in the cabinet.
Step 43: Secure the microwave to the cabinet with the bolts.
Step 44: Return the glass tray and support to the microwave.
Step 45: Plug the microwave back in.
The video below will show you how to replace the magnetron in a Whirlpool microwave step by step.
How to Reset Whirlpool Microwave
To reset your Whirlpool microwave, simply press the “Off/Clear” button on the microwave control panel.
How to Hard Reset Whirlpool Microwave
To hard reset your Whirlpool microwave, turn the microwave off then locate the circuit breaker in your house. Find the one for your microwave and switch it off for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, turn the circuit breaker back on. Go back to the microwave and turn it on.
How to Reset a Whirlpool Microwave Clock
To reset the clock of your Whirlpool microwave, simply locate the button with the word “Clock” written on it. Press the button then input your desired time. Once you have set the time, press the button again.
