GE microwave fan keeps running when door is closed

If your over-the-range microwave comes on by itself (fan and turntable running), first determine whether it is running and heating or whether just the fan and lights are coming on.

Testing the Microwave's Heating Mechanism

1. Place an ice cube or water (cool or room temperature) into a microwave-safe glass bowl or mug and close the door.
2. Allow the unit to run on its own for 1 minute.

Microwave Heating While Running on Its Own

Microwave Not Heating While Running on Its Own

Only the Microwave Fan Stays On

• The fan may come on by itself whenever there is heat near the microwave; the fan cools the components which protects the life of the microwave. This is normal.
  • Heat reaching the microwave can be caused by cooking on the cooktop or oven beneath the microwave or by multiple or extended use of the microwave within a short time span.
  • The fan will run up to 2 hours to keep the components cool and will then shut off on its own. This is NORMAL and working as designed.

The Microwave Fan and Light are On

• When replacing the charcoal filter, the filter may not have been seated properly.
  • When you reseat the vent cover, the improperly installed charcoal filter can cause the vent cover to sit askew, slightly obstructing the door closure. This can cause the light and fan to come on by themselves.
  • To Correct
    1. Open the door.
    2. Remove the vent cover.
    3. Seat the charcoal filter properly.
    4. Reinstall the vent cover with no gaps between the cover and the case of the microwave.

A good, reliable microwave can be an important part of any modern kitchen. But is your microwave working a little too well? If you’ve got a microwave that just won’t quit, even when the timer goes off, you’ve certainly got a bit of a problem on your hands. But not a problem that our Electricians in Laurel can’t fix! Here are the most common causes for a microwave that won’t stop, and what you should do about it.

Looking for appliance wiring services in your area? Our electricians in Laurel and the surrounding area are always ready to help! Contact Kolb Electric any time online and a member of our team will be more than happy to help! We offer same-day emergency services!

Why Won’t My Microwave Shut Off?

There’s some good news to be had here, and some quite likely bad news. The good news is that no matter what folks say, you are not going to be radiated to death by your microwave. They’re generally quite safe, even if they’re running with the door open. However having said that, there are certainly risks, and the problem should not be left alone.

The bad news? The odds are pretty strong that you’re going to need a new microwave, or that replacing your microwave is going to be faster, easier, and safer.

So what causes this problem? There are actually very few causes, which lets us narrow things down pretty quickly. It tends to depend on how and why:

• My microwave continues to run if the door is closed. If your microwave just keeps going and going until the door is opened, and the “stop” button is unresponsive, the most likely cause is the control board being faulty, or damaged. When this happens the microwave is not sending signals properly, and will think it just needs to keep running.
• My microwave kicks on when the door is opened. A microwave that starts running when you open the door can be quite jarring, and more than a little scary. In this situation the problem is the switch (limit switch) that usually tells your microwave that it is open and needs to stop. When these switches are worn out, they can send the microwave mixed signals, often resulting in the microwave starting up.

How Do I Fix It?

In our honest opinion, you either call in a professional, or you get a new microwave. The door switch is a fairly cost-effective repair if you’ve got a pro, but the panel issue is more complex. And while there are lots of “DIY” solutions out there, videos, mostly, we can’t really in good conscience suggest repairing a microwave on your own. Why? Because a microwave carries a potentially lethal charge, even when unplugged. It’s just not worth the risk!

If your microwave fan turns on when the door opens, you likely worry about an inherent safety issue. However, a faulty switch in the door frequently causes this problem. This may also be an issue with arcing, which is what makes a crackling noise in a microwave at times. This switch tells when the door is opened or closed, turning on and off the best microwave.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• You may have an issue with a door switch, which is relatively easy to fix.
• You will need a screwdriver with a couple of different bits or multiple screwdrivers with specific heads, commonly Phillip’s head and star head.
• The process outlined below should take about 30 minutes, depending on how quickly you work.

To avoid these interlock issues, you may want to check or replace your door switch as described below. If this process does not help, you may need to reach out to your repair service. You may also be interested to know how to replace a microwave turntable motor and fix the turntable in the microwave for future fixes.

Insider Tip

Unplug the microwave before starting to protect yourself from electrocution or shock.

Microwave Oven with a Running Fan and Door Open

The primary issue that could affect when the fan turns on or off comes from the interlock switch. If this feature isn’t working right, the microwave doesn’t know that the door has been opened or closed. You should try resetting the power at the circuit breaker first to get a better idea of the issue. Unfortunately, this issue is relatively common and can result from a faulty switch or a sticky switch. Thankfully microwave owners can resolve this issue themselves, whether you own the best compact microwave or over-the-range microwave.

On the other hand, if it’s from a delayed switch, your microwave will eventually react to the door being open. Therefore, you may also want to know how to replace a microwave door.

• Tools Needed:
  • Screwdriver(s) with different bits, depending on microwave
  • Silicone spray (optional)

1. Unplug the microwave to reduce the high voltage electrical current to electrical components. If you skip this step, you may hurt yourself while you work with the switches. Even after unplugging, power sometimes remains in the microwave, so some experts recommend discharging the capacitor. However, if you have no training in electrical work, do not try to discharge it.
2. Remove the top cover on the microwave. The cover sits over the microwave and may have slits in it or be smooth. You should note where the microwave cavity ends, and the upper cover resides. Do not remove any components of the door since you don’t need access to that part of the microwave. If you have a built-in microwave like the best built-in microwave 2022, make sure to remove the microwave from the wall carefully.
3. Unscrew the mounting screws for the control panel and circuit board. The screwdriver needed will depend on your microwave device, so check your user’s manual for more information. You can also determine the head from the screws if you cannot find your owner’s manual.
4. Gently remove the front panel containing the control board. The control panel refers to the microwave part with the numbers you press to set a time or select a smart microwave function. The circuit board hides behind this panel, but do not touch it.
5. Open the front electrical panel by unscrewing the screws to access the switch assembly. The assembly itself is stuck behind the bar between the microwave cavity and the control panel. As a result, there may be multiple door switches. For example, GE microwaves sometimes contain a monitor switch and two secondary relay door switches.
6. Disconnect the switches from the switch assembly. These are the black ends on the yellow wires, but be careful when you do this.
7. Press down on the button that sticks out of the top. If this button depresses and makes an audible click it works properly. However, ones lacking this ability need replacement. You may find multiple switches need to be replaced, so check before you buy the replacements to get enough.
8. Spray the switches with silicone spray (optional.) If all of the door switches depress but one takes more effort than the others, spray some lubricant on this switch to prevent it from sticking when the door opens or closes.
9. Backtrack through these steps to repair the microwave. This step means replacing everything except the malfunctioning switch on your microwave.
10. Check whether the replacement switches helped by running the microwave with a glass of water inside. If your microwave oven fan still turns on, you may have additional issues with the microwave. In this case, contact a certified repair center for your microwave brand.

Warning

You probably will need multiple screwdriver heads, so you should check if anyone in your house has a screwdriver with replaceable bits.

F.A.Q.S

Why does my microwave fan turn on when I open the door?

If your fan turns on when you open the door, your door switch may be stuck or not working. However, sometimes other issues cause this problem, so it may take longer to troubleshoot.

What do you do if your microwave fan won’t turn off?

Keep the door closed when you aren’t using it. If you want to try fixing the door switch, you can find the instructions above. However, you may end up calling a service shop.

Will operating a microwave oven while empty damage the equipment?

You should never run a microwave without anything inside, because doing so may damage the microwave and cause issues during use.

STAT: If the door continues to run even when you open the door, then it is likely a door interlock switch fault. (source)

Why does my microwave fan turn on when I close the door?

Why won't my GE microwave fan turn off?

Why is my GE microwave fan running?

Why is my microwave fan staying on?