In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to do a complete KitchenAid microwave reset in under 5 minutes.
Generally, you can do a soft reset on your KitchenAid microwave by pressing the Cancel/Off button, which will clear the display. If the soft reset doesn’t work, do a hard reset by unplugging the unit from the power and then wait for 30 minutes for the unit to reset.
And if anything, it won’t take you more than 5 minutes to do the reset and get your KitchenAid microwave working properly again.
How to Do a Complete KitchenAid Microwave Reset Fast
Here’s the deal:
KitchenAid is a company known for creating high-end microwaves. But these kitchen gadgets aren’t perfect, which means they’ll fail to perform at their best every occasionally.
If your KitchenAid microwave fails to work optimally, you should consider doing a complete reset and test to see if it works properly again.
There are two ways to reset a KitchenAid microwave.
1. Soft Reset
If you see an Err or PF id=27 on the display, it mean you need to do a unit reset. And I strongly recommend that you start by doing a soft reset first.
To do a soft reset, press the “Cancel” or “Off” button. Doing so will reset the unit and clear the display.
2. Hard Reset
Sometimes a soft reset doesn’t do much to solve some of the most common KitchenAid microwave problems. Should that be the case, consider doing a hard reset.
To do a hard reset, unplug the unit from the power source and wait for 30 minutes give or. Doing so will clear unintended settings and software glitches that keep the unit from performing optimally.
The argument is that you don’t have to wait for 30 minutes for the unit to reset. From what I understand, some KitchenAid microwaves hard reset just fine after 60 seconds or 3 minutes max.
Still, I recommend leaving the unit unplugged for at most 30 minutes for the reset to take it full effect on the unit.
7 Reasons Why You Should Do a KitchenAid Microwave Reset
Here are seven reasons why you should consider doing a soft or hard KitchenAid microwave reset:
1. The Unit Isn’t Warming Food
If your KitchenAid microwave isn’t warming food, it could be the unit jammed or the magnetron has a problem.
The magnetron is the component responsible for heating food evenly. If it’s broken or faulty, the unit loses its ability to function optimally.
First, use a multimeter and test whether the component has continuity. Don’t reset the microwave if the magnetron doesn’t have continuity. Instead, replace the magnetron with a new one.
If the magnetron has continuity, we can assume that the unit jammed and doing a soft or hard reset can get it back on track again.
2. The Microwave Sparks/Arcs When Cooking
You may want to reset your KitchenAid microwave if it sparks while heating your food.
I know from experience that microwaves spark because they are dirty, their high voltage transformers stopped working, or their waveguide covers are not in good condition.
You can fix these problems by cleaning the microwave, replacing the high voltage transformer, or replacing the damaged waveguide cover. Also, doing a reset can help a great deal, particularly if the unit just jammed.
3. The Keypad Isn’t Responsive
If you press the buttons on the touchpad and notice that only a few of them respond, it might mean that the microwave is having a touchpad problem.
Other times, it might be an indication that the unit just jammed and needs a reset to clear software glitches.
I’d recommend doing a hard reset for this.
4. Light Bulb Does Not Turn On
You can also reset your KitchenAid microwave if you notice that the light bulb isn’t turning on.
Before resetting your microwave because the bulb is not turning on, it would be best if you checked the light socket for damages and continuity.
Replace the light socket if it has no continuity.
If the bulb burned, replace it. If the light socket and the light bulb are okay, check if the main control board is in good condition. And if the main control board is working fine, reset the microwave to clear software glitches.
5. Turntable Doesn’t Spin
You will want to reset the microwave if the turntable isn’t rotating while in use. Before resetting the appliance, inspect the unit to ensure that nothing is on the way of the turntable.
If there’s no obstruction, check the glass table to ensure you’ve rightfully positioned it. And finally, be certain that you set the turntable on.
6. There are Error Codes
Apart from the Kitchenaid microwave showing the time left to warm food and drinks, it will also show error codes if something goes wrong.
From what I understand, KitchenAid microwave error codes tell you of parts in the appliance that are not functioning well and need urgent attention.
To be very clear, not all codes mean serious errors that would instantly alter the function of the microwave. For example, the L or LOC code means the Control Lock is active, and therefore the unit can’t warm food or drink until you have the Control Lock deactivated.
You can soft or hard reset the microwave to clear some of these error codes.
7. Microwave Continuously Starts then Stops
You may want to reset your Kitchenaid microwave if continuously starts and stops.
I understand how annoying it can be for a microwave to start and then stop without human intervention. But sometimes that happens because of a software glitch or choosing the wrong settings.
In such a situation, the best thing to do would be to soft or hard reset the microwave.
Before resetting the unit, it would be best to look at the door switch and ensure it is working well. Replace it with a new one if it doesn’t.
Also, check the main control board and ensure it is not shorting. If it is, replace it. You may also want to replace the main transformer on your KitchenAid microwave if you notice sparks or smoke.
Things to Check before Resetting the Kitchenaid Microwave
The following are the things you need to check before resetting your KitchenAid microwave:
1. Check the Line Fuse
Before resetting the Kitchenaid microwave, it would be a good idea to check its fuse. The fuse in the KitchenAid microwave is programmed to blow up to cut the circuit when it detects high volts of current flowing into the microwave and that saves the microwave from any electrical damages.
Microwave capacitors are the likely reasons why fuses blow up, as they are the components that store a ton of electric charges.
To know whether the fuse on your microwave has blown, you will need to remove the fuse from the microwave and use a multimeter to test for continuity.
If there’s no continuity, it means the fuse is blown and you will need to replace it with a new one.
2. Check the Thermal Fuse
Check your KitchenAid microwave’s thermal fuse to ensure it’s in good working condition before doing a reset.
The fuse blows up if it detects the unit is overheating. Power cuts from the microwave. And it stops working altogether.
You cannot do a soft reset of the unit when power is cut off, which is why you should check the thermal fuse to ensure it is in the best condition possible.
Use a multimeter to test whether the thermal fuse has continuity, and replace the fuse if it does not have continuity. As you replace the fuse, check for the component responsible for overheating and replace it.
3. Check the Power Cord
The power cord to your microwave might the reason why the appliance is frustrating you by not working optimally in the first place. Consider checking if the appliance has a problem with the power cord before you do a reset.
Plug the microwave’s power cord into the socket and open the microwave door. You should see the light on, which then means that the power cord is in good working condition.
But if there’s no light once you open the microwave’s door, the power cord is not working. Your only option here is to have the power cord replaced with a new one.
- Unplug the microwave from the socket before disassembling it.
- Remove the mounting screws securing the microwave on the kitchen cabinet (have someone hold the appliance).
- Carefully pull the microwave plus the power cord from the cabinet and the mounting brackets and place it on an even surface.
- With a screwdriver, unthread the screws holding the grill. Pull the grill forward from the top to remove it.
- Open the microwave’s door, remove the turntable and turntable support, and then close it.
- Tilt the microwave so that it lays on its back panel and with a screwdriver unthread the screws holding the rare panel. Once the panel is out, pull the panel and disconnect the wire harness.
- Detach the ground head from the frame and pull the wire free.
- Either note the orientation, sketch or take a picture of the turntable motor wires.
- Slide off the insulators and depress the locking tabs to disconnect the wires and fully remove the bottom access panel.
- Tilt the microwave to its upright position. Take out the screws holding the microwave cabinet. Fully remove the microwave cabinet.
You now have to get rid of all the electrical charges stored in the capacitors to avoid shock. You can do this by placing an insulated screwdriver on both capacitor terminals, which drains the charge from the capacitor to zero.
- Disconnect power cord wires and unthread the screw that holds the ground wire.
- Install the new Kitchenaid microwave power cord by first connecting the positive and negative wires to the appropriate terminals. Secure the grounding wire to the frame.
- With all the wires on the new power cords connected, secure the cord into the bracket.
- Reinstall the microwave cabinet and secure it with screws. Reposition the blower/fan cover and secure it with screws.
- Place back the bottom panel and as you do so reconnect the turntable motor wires to the appropriate terminals.
- Align the wire in the frame and secure it with the ground head then reconnect the wire harness.
- Fully reposition the bottom panel and secure it with screws. Realign the grill and re-thread the screws to secure.
- Carefully reposition the microwave on the mounting bracket and secure it to the kitchen cabinet using mounting bolts.
- Plug the new power cord into the socket and place the turntable and its support back in the microwave.
Your KitchenAid microwave should now be getting power to help you do a reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is My KitchenAid Microwave Not Working?
Your KitchenAid microwave won’t work because it doesn’t have power. Check to ensure the power outlet is working.
2. How Do I Reset My KitchenAid Microwave?
You can soft or hard reset your KitchenAid microwave. To do a soft reset, press the Cancel button and wait for 60 seconds. For a hard reset, unplug the unit from the power source and wait for about 30 minutes for a full reset to complete.
Final Thoughts on KitchenAid Microwave Reset
As you can see, it isn’t difficult to do a KitchenAid microwave reset. Depending on the current state of your unit, you may opt to do a soft or a hard reset.