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Kenmore Microwave won't turn off

If your Kenmore microwave won't turn off, the door switch is the most likely cause. A failed or shorted primary door switch, secondary door switch, or monitor switch can allow the fan to keep running, even when the door is open. Test each door switch for continuity with a multimeter and replace any switch that does not test correctly. If the switches work, the user control and display board may not be registering the Cancel or Off button. When some buttons work but others do not, the touchpad and control panel or membrane switch may be defective. If the controls respond normally but the microwave keeps running, a shorted relay or triac on the main control board can continue sending power to the fan or other components. Some Kenmore models require replacing the control panel and board as an assembly. Enter your model number to find the exact replacement part for your Kenmore microwave. Any repair that requires opening the outer cabinet must be handled with care because the high-voltage capacitor can store a lethal charge even after the microwave is unplugged. Proper capacitor discharge is required before interior work, and a qualified technician should perform the repair if you are not familiar with that procedure.

01 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 Kenmore microwave turn off or stop running?

How do I test a Kenmore microwave door switch that is keeping the microwave running?

Could the Kenmore microwave touchpad or control board be causing it to stay on?

Why does my microwave turn on by itself or run when the door opens?

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

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