KitchenAid makes some of the best microwaves. But at times, even the highest rated models in its class can fail to work optimally. In this KitchenAid microwave troubleshooting, you’ll learn some of the most common issues as well as how to fix them.
The most common KitchenAid microwave problems include failing to turn on, not showing time, not getting hot, failing to spin, and not cooking at all. Other problems include the door not opening, the buttons not working, and the display malfunctioning.
Let’s look at each of these issues and see exactly how you can fix them to get your microwave working optimally as it should.
KitchenAid Microwave Troubleshooting Error Problems
| Problem | Probable Cause | Solution | |
| 1. | Microwave not heating and therefore not cooking | Faulty high voltage transformer, faulty door switch, or damaged diode | Inspect these components for errors and replace the damaged ones with new ones |
| 2. | Microwave fan not spinning | Blown thermal fuse, tripped thermal protector, or faulty main control board | Replace the thermal fuse. Adjust the thermal protector. Replace the main control board. |
| 3. | Microwave not turning on, not cooking or working at all | Blown line fuse, blown thermal fuse, tripped thermal protector, or faulty main control board | Replace the line fuse and thermal fuse. Adjust the thermal protector. Replace the main control board. |
| 4. | Microwave turns on and off every few seconds | Faulty main control board, defective thermostat, burned door switch, or faulty touchpad | Diagnose the control board and fix errors. Replace thermostat, burned door switch, and faulty touchpad with new compatible components |
| 5. | Microwave buttons not working | The touchpad is defective or the microwave just jammed up. | Do a hard reset and test the start button. If the reset doesn’t help, replace the touchpad. |
| 6. | Microwave turntable not turning | Tripped glass tray, faulty turntable motor, broken glass tray coupling | Replace the glass tray or turntable motor if they’re defective |
| 7. | KitchenAid Microwave not showing time | There is a problem with the main control board. | Consider replacing the main control board with a new one |
| 8. | KitchenAid microwave not opening | The door latch is more than likely broken | Replace the door latch with a new one |
1. KitchenAid Microwave Not Heating or Cooking
Your KitchenAid microwave isn’t heating or cooking because of the following reasons:
a) Defective High Voltage Transformer
The high voltage transformer produces high voltage to power the magnetron antenna to heat food. If the high voltage transformer is faulty, your KitchenAid microwave won’t heat food.
To tell whether the high voltage transformer is faulty, look for signs of arcs and a burning smell. Replace the high voltage transformer to resolve the heating issue.
b) Faulty Door Switch
Kitchenaid microwave comes with 3 to 4 door switches depending on the model. When you close the microwave door, the switches move in sequence to close the door.
If one of the switches does not close in, the microwave won’t start or heat food. You can use a multimeter to determine which switch among the 3 or 4 has a fault.
Replace any door switch that does not have continuity.
c) Damaged Diode
The work of the diode in a KitchenAid microwave is to convert alternating current A/C to direct current D/C. This conversion doubles the power to about 5,000 volts, which powers the magnetron to heat food and drinks.
If the diode goes bad, the magnetron won’t get enough power to function, thus keeping the microwave from heating.
If the diode has burned out, replace it.
d) Damaged Magnetron
You should consider checking the magnetron when your microwave doesn’t heat food. The magnetron is the part that releases the frequency that cooks food with the help of the high voltage D/C power.
Unfortunately, the magnetron cannot be repaired. That means the only way to make the microwave start heating food again is to replace the burnt magnetron.
e) Tripped Thermal Protector
The work of the Thermal protector is to protect your microwave from overheating. It trips once it detects the presence of too much heat. Power goes out, the unit stops to heat food, and it eventually shuts down.
You can use a multimeter to test the thermal protector for continuity. If the thermal protector doesn’t have continuity, replace it with a new one.
2. KitchenAid Microwave Not Spinning
If your KitchenAid microwave is not spinning, it could be because of any of the following reasons:
a) Faulty Thermal Protector
The thermal protector is an important component that turns the fan and tracks air temperature.
If it’s faulty, the exhaust fan won’t turn on, which means there won’t be sufficient cooling effect for the Kitchenaid microwave.
You should use a multimeter to test the thermal protector for continuity. Replace it if it doesn’t pass the continuity test.
b) Faulty Fan Motor
The most common reason why your microwave’s fan is not working is that the fan motor is faulty.
Access the fan and rotate it. If it doesn’t rotate freely, take out the motor and test it for continuity. If it does not have continuity, replace it.
c) Problem with the Main Control Board
The main control board might be why the Kitchenaid microwave exhaust fan is not working, but this is rarely the case.
Before buying your microwave a new main control board, it would be best if you considered looking at the fan motor wiring and testing it for continuity.
If there’s no cut wire, the wires are firmly connected and there is continuity, then the main control board is at fault.
Replace it to fix the problem.
3. KitchenAid Microwave Not Working
The following are the probable reasons why your KitchenAid microwave isn’t working:
a) Blown Line Fuse
Your KitchenAid microwave won’t start because of a blown line fuse.
The line fuse works like a switch, which blows when high volumes of current start flowing into the microwave. If the line fuse blows, the circuit is cut and no power gets into the appliance.
You will need a multimeter to determine if the fuse is faulty. Replace the line fuse if it does not have continuity.
b) Blown Thermal Fuse
Thermal fuse is designed to blow whenever there is excess heat in the microwave. It operates in the same way as the line fuse. Only that it blows when the microwave overheats.
You will need to test for continuity. Unfortunately, the line fuse cannot be reset. You can only replace it.
c) Problem with the Main Control Board
Although rarely the case, your Kitchenaid microwave may not be working because its main control board is faulty.
Most of the time the microwave’s main control board is just misdiagnosed. So before you decide to replace it, consider testing all its most common parts.
d) Faulty Thermal Protector
The thermal protector may have tripped and cut off the power supply. If the thermal protector hasn’t tripped, it means it might be faulty.
To ascertain that it is faulty, use a multimeter to test for continuity. Replace the protector if there is no continuity.
4. KitchenAid Microwave Continuously Turns On and Off Every Few Seconds
If your KitchenAid microwave turns on and off every few seconds, it could be because of all or any of the following reasons:
a) Faulty Main Control Board
The reason why your Kitchenaid microwave is turning on and off each time is that the main control board is bad and that is because most of the time they are misdiagnosed.
Test all the most common faulty parts on the main control board, especially the ones that connect to the door switch before replacing them. If there are parts that work properly and others don’t, consider replacing those parts.
b) Defective Thermostat
A possible reason why the microwave is turning on and off each second is that the thermostat is defective.
Use a multimeter and test if the component is faulty. Replace the thermostat if it’s faulty and start the microwave again.
Faulty Door Switch
Your Kitchenaid microwave is turning and off continuously each time because a door switch or multiple door switches burned. Check every door switch for signs of sparking, burning, or overheating.
If no sign of failure is visible, use a multimeter and test each door switch for continuity. Replace any door switch that doesn’t have continuity.
c) Faulty Touchpad
Your Kitchenaid microwave touchpad might be the reason why the appliance is running for a few seconds and then stops.
If there are buttons that respond to presses while others don’t, but the display is fully functional, it means the touchpad is the problem. Replace the faulty touchpad to fix this problem.
5. KitchenAid Microwave Buttons Not Working
If the buttons of your KitchenAid microwave aren’t working, it’s likely the touchpad isn’t working.
To find out whether the touchpad is defective, press every key.
If some keys respond and others don’t, it means the touchpad is faulty. Since the buttons of a microwave touchpad cannot be repaired, you will need to replace the entire touchpad with a new compatible model.
6. KitchenAid Microwave Turntable Not Turning
If the turntable of your KitchenAid microwave isn’t turning, it could be because of all or any of the following reasons:
a) Stripped Glass Tray Support
Your microwave’s glass tray support might be stripped out and that is why the turntable is not turning.
You only need to use your eyes here to identify and fix the problem.
Carefully pull the glass tray support off the turntable drive motor shaft. Inspect the tray support for damages, and replace the glass tray if you see damages. Otherwise, adjust the tray support so that it’s in its place.
b) Defective Turntable Motor
It is important that the turntable function properly because it makes the turntable spin to get your cup of coffee or plate of food cooked evenly.
Before replacing the turntable motor, inspect the microwave to be sur it’s causing the turntable not to turn.
Start by checking the wire connection on the turntable motor. If the wire connection is firm with no cuts, use a multimeter and test for continuity. Replace the turntable motor if it has no continuity.
c) Broken Glass Tray Coupling
It could be that the glass tray coupling is broken, causing the turntable not to rotate.
Remove the tray coupling from the motor shaft and inspect the tray coupling for damages. Replace the glass tray coupling if it is broken or tripped out.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do I Reset My Kitchenaid Microwave?
You can reset your KitchenAid microwave by pressing the cancel button. When you press the cancel button, error codes will appear on the control panel if detected.
In case the Call Service appears on the display after pressing cancel, consider power resetting the unit. To power rest a Kitchenaid microwave:
- Power off the unit by unplugging it from the power source
- Wait for about 60 seconds before plugging the unit back into power
The unit will reset and clear all the errors it finds within the 60 seconds. Plug the microwave back to power and warm your food.
2. Why Did My Kitchenaid Microwave Stop Working?
There are many reasons why your Kitchenaid microwave has suddenly stopped working. The most common reasons are the line fuse has blown or the household circuit breaker has tripped.
Replace the line fuse if it’s the cause and if the household breaker is the problem switch it back to position.
3. What is the Most Common Cause of Microwave Failure?
The most common cause of Kitchenaid microwave failure is the magnetron, which is responsible for heating your food.
The magnetron uses high voltage and if the microwave is turned on with nothing to heat its antenna burns.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide has helped you identify the most common reasons why your KitchenAid microwave fails to work. And given the easy solutions I’ve shared for each problem, I’m confident that you can get the unit fixed without spending hundreds of dollars on repair service.
Also Read: