I understand how frustrating it can be if you have the KitchenAid microwave touchpad problem. That’s why in this guide, you’ll learn what causes the touchpad to fail and what you can do to fix it.
Generally, your KitchenAid microwave touchpad isn’t working because the lock function is active, the main control board is faulty, the membrane switch went bad, or a key on the membrane switch stuck. Or it might be that the touchpad is faulty due to misuse.
I can assure you that these issues are easy to fix. With just a couple of bucks to buy replacement parts and possible DIY solutions, you can get the touchpad working well again.
KitchenAid Microwave Touchpad Problem (5 Issues & Fixes)
The following table is a summary of the possible reasons why your KitchenAid microwave’s touchpad isn’t working as well as what you can do to fix the problem:
| KitchenAid Microwave Problem | Possible Fix | |
| 1. | You activated the lock function on the microwave. | Check if the if there’s the “LOC” or “L” on your microwave’s display. If so press “Cancel” for 3 seconds (till you hear 2 tones) |
| 2. | The main control board could be faulty. | First, test the board for continuous current flow (continuity). Replace the main board control if there is no continuity. |
| 3. | There could be a problem with the membrane switch | Replace the switch membrane switch with a new one |
| 4. | Your KitchenAid microwave could be having a key stuck on the membrane | Replace the switch membrane switch with a new one |
| 5. | The touchpad itself could be the problem. | Test the pad by pressing each key on it. Consider replacing the touchpad if some keys do not respond to touch. |
Let’s look at each of the above issues in more details below.
1. The Touchpad Might Be Faulty
One of the reasons your KitchenAid microwave’s touchpad is not working is that the touchpad itself has gone bad.
Input command signals are not sent as signals to the control board if the touchpad is damaged. So if that is the case, you should replace the touchpad with a new one.
But before replacing the defective touchpad, first test it to determine whether it’s defective by pressing each button.
If all the buttons respond to touch, the touchpad is not the problem. But if all a key or two or all the keys don’t respond, get a new touchpad for replacement.
To replace the touchpad:
- Unplug the microwave from power.
- Disassemble the area around the front of the microwave starting with the grill and then the control panel.
- Before removing the touchpad, check if it snaps out or is screwed in place.
- Disconnect any wire connection from the touchpad.
- Install the new touchpad and appropriately plug the wires.
- Reattach the new touchpad to the microwave and secure it with screws.
Once the repair is complete, plug in the microwave to the power source and restore the power.
2. The Lock Function is Active
KitchenAid microwaves come with several safety features, and the child lock function is one of these. The purpose of the child lock feature is to discourage children from operating the unit if you’re not around.
If you set the lock function to active, the microwave does not respond to any key pressed on the touchpad. The microwave will assume that it’s your child trying to operate the unit.
Look at the user interface. If you see LOC, L, or a Padlock symbol, then it means you activated the child lock feature, which in turn disabled the touchpad.
What you need to do here is to turn off the lock function. To do this, press the CANCEL key for about 3 seconds. You should hear a sound indicating that the lock function is off.
3. The Main Control Board Could Be Faulty
The touchpad on your KitchenAid microwave may refuse to work if the main control board is faulty.
To be clear, the main control board is rarely the issue. But if you’ve tried all other KitchenAid microwave troubleshooting options and come out empty, replacing the control board may be the only last option.
Thankfully, KitchenAid’s main control board spares are readily available online for purchase. And replacing the board isn’t difficult either.
- First, unplug the power cord.
- Using a screwdriver, unthread the screws securing the grill and remove them.
- Open the microwave door and unthread the mounting screws securing the control panel.
- Detach the control panel.
- Free the hinge tab from the control panel.
- Release the ribbon connector connecting the main control board to the touchpad and control panel.
- Unthread the mounting screws holding the control board to the control panel housing
- Remove the old boars from the control panel housing, remove all the protective covers on the new main control board before installing it, and position the new main board in the control panel housing and secure it with screws.
- Reconnect the ribbon connector to the new main board.
- Reassemble the unit, making sure you’ve had all the wires connected to the appropriate terminals.
4. The Membrane Switch Might Be Faulty
A faulty membrane switch could also be a reason why the keys on your KitchenAid microwave’s touchpad are failing to respond.
The touchpad membrane features two thin layers made of plastic each with a conductive substance. There is a space between the layers that keep them apart until you touch key/keys on the touchpad.
Once the two layers connect, the unit sends a signal to the control board to signal that the microwave should run a command.
Unfortunately, the two layers wear with time. And it reaches a point where the two components cannot make a good connection, which makes the touchpad fail to work.
Unfortunately, a damaged membrane switch is hard to repair, which leaves you with replacement as the only solution.
If you have experience working with appliances, the touchpad membrane switch should not be hard to replace. You only need to take extra caution while repairing the microwave because they pose the risk of electric shocks.
- Unplug the microwave from the power socket.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the screws holding the front grill.
- Remove the microwave cabinet to be able to access the inner components of your microwave.
- Unthread the screws holding the front control panel. Disconnect the wires and unscrew the grounding wire and washer.
- Once the control board is out, locate the touchpad membrane and pull it off the control board.
- Scrub off the glue that held the old touchpad membrane to the control board.
- Unpeel the paper sealing the glue on the new touchpad membrane and stick it on the control board at the same position as the old one.
- With the touchpad membrane installed, connect all the wires including the grounding wire, put the control panel in position, and secure it with screws.
- Fix the front grill.
- With the repair complete, restore power to the unit and test if the touchpad is working.
5. A Key Stuck on the Switch Membrane
Another possible reason why your microwave’s touchpad is not working is that a certain key stuck after pressing.
This scenario can make other keys on your touchpad fail to respond. And that is because microwaves can’t respond to multiple presses at the same time.
You will need to dismantle the microwave, remove the control panel, extract the touchpad and visibly assess the touchpad membrane to determine whether there’s a stuck key.
You can solve the stuck key problem by replacing the touchpad membrane. To do the replacement, simply follow solution given for problem number 4 in this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there a Reset Button on a KitchenAid Microwave?
There is no button specifically designed to help you reset your KitchenAid microwave, but there are procedures you can follow to reset the appliance.
- Reset Method 1: The simplest is pressing the Cancel button. Error codes should clear once you’ve done that.
- Reset Method 2: Turn off the microwave, open the door, turn the knob until it stops, wait for about 30 seconds, and then again turn the knob. Keep repeating the procedure until the unit shuts down on its own.
- Reset Method 3: If other codes or Call Service still shows unplug the unit and wait for about 1 minute to give it time to reset and clear errors.
2. Why is My KitchenAid Microwave Keypad Not Working?
The main reason the keypads on your KitchenAid microwave are not responding is that the membrane switch is defective.
Replace the membrane switch after pressing all the keys on the touchpad and found that some are responsive while others are not.
3. Can You Replace the KitchenAid Microwave Touchpad?
KitchenAid microwave touchpad spares are available online. That means you can easily replace the touchpad for yours if the current one is faulty.
Before placing an order or physically shopping for a new touchpad, consider testing it to ascertain your suspicion. Plus find out what model you have. A KitchenAid touchpad that differs from your microwave’s model will not work.
Final Thoughts on KitchenAid Microwave Touchpad Problems
The touchpad is the only way by which you can interact with your microwaves. If it becomes faulty, it would be impossible for you to defrost, select the microwave settings you prefer, or set a cooking time.
If the touchpad for your model isn’t working, have it replaced.
The cost of replacing a faulty KitchenAid touchpad generally depends on the model that you have. But on average, you can spend $30 to $300 to get the replacement done.
Luckily, like the main control, the touchpad spares are also readily available online.