If your KitchenAid microwave won't turn off, keeps running, or seems stuck on after you press Cancel or Off, start with the door switches. Most microwaves use three or four switches, including the primary door switch, secondary door switch, and monitor switch, that must operate in sequence when the door closes. A failed or shorted door switch can keep the fan running, even when the door is open. Next, check the user control and display board. If none of the control panel buttons respond correctly, the board may not be activating the Off command. If some buttons work but others do not, the touchpad and control panel or touchpad may be defective. A less common cause is a failed main control board, where shorted relays or triacs continue supplying power to the fan or other components. Enter your KitchenAid microwave model number to find the exact replacement part for your appliance. Any repair that requires opening the outer cabinet, including testing or replacing a door switch or electronic board, must be handled carefully because the high-voltage capacitor can store a lethal charge even after unplugging. Proper capacitor discharge is required, so use a qualified technician if you are not familiar with the procedure.
01 - KitchenAid Microwave Door Switch
Most microwaves have three or four door switches. When the microwave door closes, the door switches actuate in sequence to ensure that the door is closed properly. If any of the door switches fail, the microwave will not start or heat. In some rare cases a door switch may short out and allow the fan to run even when the door is opened. To determine if any of the door switches are defective, use a multimeter to test each of the switches for continuity. If any of the door switches lack continuity, replace the switch. (Caution: The microwave oven can store thousands of volts of electricity in its high voltage capacitor, even ...after the microwave oven has been unplugged. Due to the potential for electric shock, it is extremely dangerous to replace the electronic components in a microwave. Only a licensed technician should replace a door switch.)
Enter model number to search for the required part specific to your product
02 - KitchenAid Microwave User Control and Display Board
The cancel or off button on the user control and display board may not be activating. To determine if the control and display board is defective, try pressing each of the buttons on the control panel. If none of the buttons are responding correctly, replace the user control and display board.
03 - KitchenAid Microwave Touchpad and Control Panel
The cancel or off button on the control panel may not be activating when it's pressed. To determine if the touchpad and control panel are defective, try pressing each of the buttons on the control panel. If some of the buttons respond correctly while others don’t, replace the touchpad and control panel.
The cancel or off button on the touchpad may not be activating. To determine if the touchpad is defective, try pressing each of the buttons on the control panel. If some of the buttons respond correctly while others don’t, replace the touchpad.
The main control board has relays that send power to several components to make the microwave work. If one or more of the relays or triacs short out, some of the components can keep running when the controls are turned off. (Caution: The microwave oven can store thousands of volts of electricity in its high voltage capacitor, even after the microwave oven has been unplugged. Due to the potential for electric shock, it is extremely dangerous to replace the electronic components in a microwave. Only a licensed technician should replace the main control board.)
The control board has relays that send power to several components to make the microwave work. If one or more of the relays or triacs short out, some of the components can keep running when the controls are turned off. While you can often replace just the control board, some microwave models sell control panels as an assembly with both the touchpad and control board included.