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Whirlpool Microwave won't turn off

If your Whirlpool microwave won't turn off, keeps running, or the fan continues after you press Cancel or Off, start with the door switches. A failed primary door switch, secondary door switch, or monitor switch can short and allow the microwave or fan to keep operating, sometimes even when the door opens. Test each door switch for continuity with a multimeter and replace any switch that fails. Next, check the user control and display board. If none of the control panel buttons respond correctly, the board may not be registering the Off command. If some buttons work but Cancel does not, the touchpad and control panel or the separate touchpad may be defective. A failed main control board is less common, but shorted relays or triacs can continue supplying power after the controls are turned off. Before replacing any internal part, remember that opening the microwave cabinet exposes a high-voltage capacitor that can store a lethal charge even after the appliance is unplugged. Proper capacitor discharge is required, so have a qualified technician handle interior repairs if you are not familiar with the procedure. Enter your Whirlpool microwave model number to find the exact replacement part for your appliance.

01 - Whirlpool 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.)

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02 - Whirlpool 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.

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Highly Likely

03 - Whirlpool 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.

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Common

04 - Whirlpool Microwave Touchpad

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.

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Common

05 - Whirlpool Microwave Main Control Board

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.)

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Common

06 - Whirlpool Microwave 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.

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Uncommon But Possible

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my Whirlpool microwave turn off?

Why does my Whirlpool microwave fan turn on by itself or keep running with the door open?

How do I test a Whirlpool microwave door switch with a multimeter?

Could the Whirlpool microwave touchpad or control board be causing it not to shut off?

How do I find the correct Whirlpool microwave part for this repair?

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