So your Whirlpool microwave fan won’t turn off or on and you have no idea what to do? Whether it’s a problem with spd2, vent fan, I’ll show you what you can do to fix the problem.
If your Whirlpool microwave fan won’t turn off or on, restart the microwave, replace the thermostat if it’s faulty, improve your kitchen’s ventilation, turn off the microwave when it’s not in use, and don’t overuse the unit.
As you can see, a Whirlpool microwave fan not turning on or off doesn’t have to be a difficult problem to fix.
What Does a Fan Do in the Whirlpool Microwave?
The fan helps to drive out hot air, moisture, and particles created when cooking. It is with the help of the fan that the Whirlpool microwave doesn’t catch fire or smell due to moisture and particle build-up.
What to Do If Whirlpool Microwave Fan Won’t Turn Off
Don’t panic if your Whirlpool microwave’s fan won’t turn on off. Here are solution to help you fix the problem:
| Problem | Cause | Possible Solution | |
| 1. | Over the range fan not stopping | Accumulation of dirt and debris | Clean the unit to get rid of dirt and debris. Then do a hard reset to reprogram the microwave |
| 2. | Faulty thermostat | Thermostat blown from excess heat generated by the unit | Test the thermostat for continuity and replace it if it doesn’t return a reading of zero |
| 3. | Your kitchen is too hot to stop the microwave’s fan | The heat from the surrounding from a not-so-well-ventilated kitchen | Improve your kitchen’s ventilation |
| 4. | Microwave on when not in use | Human negligence | Always turn off the microwave if it’s not in use |
| 5. | Overusing the microwave | Human negligence | You should use the microwave only if it’s necessary. |
1. Switch off the Fan from Microwave Settings
Before you switch off the microwave, it would be best if you let it cool down on its own. The appliance will turn off the fan on its own if the components are in good condition.
If the microwave fan does not turn off on its own, switch off the fan from the easy microwave setting. Switching off the Whirlpool microwave fan from the settings reprograms the entire unit to default.
- Press the Options or Control Setup button to get into setup mode
- Scroll to the Vent Fan sub-menu option and press Enter/Start.
- Choose Off and press Enter/Start again to turn the microwave’s ventilation fan off.
2. Check If the Thermostat is Faulty
A thermostat helps to manage the temperatures in your Whirlpool microwave.
The main control board will send a signal fan to start running to cool the appliance if the thermostat detects the temperature is high enough. Once the microwave has cooled to a given temperature, the fan automatically stops running.
If the unit has cooled to room temperature but the fan won’t turn off, the thermostat is faulty.
Test the thermostat for continuity to be sure it’s the part causing the microwave’s fan not to stop.
Be careful not to tamper with the capacitor when opening Whirlpool microwave. The capacitor stores power enough to cause harm even after unplugging the appliance from power.
- With the Microwave out of the kitchen cabinet, disassemble it to access the thermal fuse.
- Use a multimeter to test the thermostat for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the thermostat with a new one.
- Get rid of the defective thermostat and install a new one.
- Assemble the microwave and fix it back in the kitchen cabinet.
3. Improve Your Kitchen’s Ventilation
Almost every appliance you have in kitchen space gives off heat that increases your kitchen’s overall temperature.
A Whirlpool microwave in such an environment won’t be able to cool to room temperature as fast as it should, which means the fan might keep running even when it shouldn’t.
The fan will be trying to cool both the microwave and the heat from the surrounding. You can fix this by making sure you ventilate your kitchen.
If you are renting an apartment, which has a small kitchen, it would help to have a quality exhaust system set up. A good exhaust system will ensure the kitchen temperature are within normal limits.
4. Your Whirlpool Microwave Is On When Not in Use
I strongly recommend that you turn off your Whirlpool microwave when it’s not in use. If you leave the microwave on, the fan also stays on.
Your Whirlpool microwave isn’t safe if you let the fan run unless it is cooking. A fan left running if the microwave is not cooking food can destroy the appliance, as it allows power to flow through the system.
Simply unplug the unit from power when you notice the fan isn’t stopping and wait for about 5 minutes for the system to reset and clear errors that may be causing the software glitch.
5. Stop Overusing the Microwave
The reason why your Whirlpool microwave fan is running non-stop is that you have been overusing the unit beyond its capability for the last couple of months.
All electronics, including your Whirlpool microwave, heat up when overused.
If the microwave overheats, the thermostat signals the fan to start cooling the system by blowing cold air and it might take time to cool the appliance to room temperature, hence the fan keeps running without stopping.
The best way to stop your Whirlpool microwave from burning because of overuse is to let it rest for a while before you start using it again.
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Whirlpool Microwave Won’t Turn Off Spd2
Spd2 on Whirlpool microwaves refers to an automatic ventilation function that rans the fan at high speed.
More often than not, the thermostat automatically turns on the Whirlpool microwave’s fan if there is too much heat and off when the heat in the appliance goes back to room temperature.
Spd2 won’t turn off manually if this process is ongoing unless you disconnect power by disconnecting the microwave from the power cord.
Whirlpool Microwave Fan Won’t Turn On
I can think of at least two reasons why your Whirlpool microwave’s fan won’t turn on:
1. The Temperatures are Still Conducive
Fans on Whirlpool microwaves will only turn on if the temperature within the appliance exceeds the recommended limit.
2. The Fan Motor Might Be Faulty
It’s possible that your Whirlpool microwave’s fan won’t turn on because the fan’s motor is faulty.
The fan motor will power the fan’s speed (Spd1 or Spd2) depending on how intense the heat within the microwave is.
If the fan motor is faulty, replace it with a new one. To do this:
- Cut off power and unplug the microwave power cord.
- Unthread all the screws securing the microwave in the kitchen cabinet.
- Open the rear access panel. You will see the fan motor right near the top of the microwave.
Take out the fan motor cover and try spinning the motor with your hand. If the fan resists spinning, remove the fan motor and test for continuity.
Set the multimeter to Rx1, touch both motor terminals with the prods, and make sure the reading on the multimeter remains zero (there’s continuity).
Replace the motor if the readings isn’t zero.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Won’t Whirlpool Over-the-Range Microwave Vent Fan Turn Off
Whirlpool says that it may take about an hour for its microwave to cool from heat and when this happens, the over-the-range microwave vent can’t turn off.
2. When Does the Whirlpool Microwave Fan Stop Running?
The thermostat will signal the fan to start running if the microwave heat goes above 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, the thermostat will reset itself and signal the fan to stop running if the microwave cools to approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
3. Why Does My Whirlpool Microwave Fan Turns On by Itself?
It means the Microwave is working properly. The built-in thermostat can detect when the temperature is too high (start the fan) and too low (stop the fan).
4. How do I Shut the Fan off on a Whirlpool Microwave?
There are two ways you can stop the Whirlpool microwave fan from running. The first is through the setup mode while the other is by unplugging the power cord or switching off power from the circuit breaker.
To stop the Whirlpool microwave fan from running using the setup mode, press Control Setup or Option on the control panel, scroll to Vent Fan and press Enter/Start, select Off, and then press Enter/Start one more time to turn the fan off.
You can also shut off the fan on your Whirlpool microwave by directly unplugging the unit’s power cords from the socket or switching off the breaker.
What should you do if none of the above solutions work?
If none of the previous solutions have resolved the issue, it is likely that there is a more complex problem at the component level. In such cases, it would be advisable to seek the expertise of a trained professional who can accurately diagnose and fix the problem. You can reach out to Whirlpool’s technical support team, and they will be able to assist you in arranging for an expert technician to help address the issue.
What causes the microwave to heat up and trigger the fan?
What role does the thermostat play in turning on the fan to lower the heat and protect the microwave?
The thermostat in the microwave detects when the temperature is too hot, and it activates the fan to lower the heat and protect the microwave. The fan will continue running until the temperature is brought down to a safe level, even if the microwave is not in operation.
Why does the ambient temperature in the kitchen contribute to the microwave getting hot?
The ambient temperature in the kitchen can contribute to the microwave getting hot because kitchens, in general, can produce a lot of heat. Factors such as multiple gas stoves in operation and pots of boiling water can increase the ambient temperature. Additionally, hot weather can also contribute to the overall temperature in the kitchen.
What is the function of the “Faraday shield” in Whirlpool microwaves?
Whirlpool microwaves are equipped with a special shielding called a “Faraday shield.” This shield helps keep the microwave radiation inside the cooking area, preventing it from escaping. However, even with this shielding, the microwave can still heat up if used for prolonged periods.
How does the microwave heat up during prolonged use?
During prolonged use, the microwave heats up due to the general heat buildup caused by the cooking process and the heat produced by the components as the electricity runs through them.
What causes the fan not to turn off in the microwave?
The fan in the microwave may not turn off if the microwave has been used for too long. Prolonged use of the microwave causes general heat buildup due to the cooking process and the heat produced by the components as the electricity runs through them.
“As you can see, a Whirlpool microwave fan not turning on or off doesn’t have to be a difficult problem to fix. The fan helps to drive out hot air, moisture, and particles created when cooking, preventing the microwave from catching fire or emitting unpleasant smells. However, it is important to understand the factors that can cause the microwave to heat up and trigger the fan.
One such factor is prolonged use of the microwave. Whirlpool microwaves are equipped with a special shielding called a ‘Faraday shield,’ which keeps the microwave radiation inside the cooking area. Nevertheless, extended usage can lead to a general build-up of heat due to the cooking process and the heat generated by the components as electricity runs through them for a long time. When the thermostat detects that the microwave is too hot, it will activate the fan to lower the heat and protect the microwave. It’s worth noting that the fan will continue to operate until the temperature is brought down, even though the microwave is not in use.
Additionally, the ambient temperature in the kitchen can contribute to the microwave getting hot. Kitchens, in general, can generate a significant amount of heat, especially if there are multiple gas stoves in operation or if it’s a hot summer’s day. These factors, combined with the natural heat produced during cooking, can increase the overall temperature inside the microwave. Once again, the thermostat will detect the excessive heat and activate the fan to lower the temperature.
By understanding these underlying causes, you can troubleshoot and address the issue of the fan not turning on or off in your Whirlpool microwave more effectively.”
Final Thoughts
As we’ve seen, there are several minor reasons why your Whirlpool microwave fan isn’t turning off. The main reason is that the thermostat blew due to too much heat.
Unfortunately, thermostats are the same as fuses. You cannot repair them. You can only replace them with new ones.