Whirlpool has been in the home appliance business for well over a century. But if you have your Whirlpool microwave not working at all, you might wonder why an appliance from a brand this big can fail in the first place. (clonazepam)
Your Whirlpool microwave is not working because the power cord is broken, the line fuse blew, or the main control board is malfunctioning. It’s also possible that the diode is faulty, making it impossible for the magnetron to generate the radiation required to heat food.
In this guide, you’ll learn about the possible reasons why your Whirlpool microwave isn’t working at all. Plus, you learn exactly how to fix each problem without spending a dollar on repair service.
Why Is Whirlpool Microwave Not Working? (9 Reasons Explained)
In testing, a Whirlpool microwave delivers even heat distribution to warm your foods and drinks evenly. So if your model fails to work, the following could be the likely reasons:
| Problem | Probable Cause | Solution | |
| 1. | Whirlpool microwave not receiving power | The power cord might be faulty or the circuit breaker may have tripped. | Replace the power cord with a new one. Fix the circuit breaker back to position. |
| 2. | The microwave’s line fuse is not working | It might have blown up due to power surge | Replace the blown line fuse with a new one. |
| 3. | The main control board is not operating | There may have been a software glitch, loose connections, or power damages | Test all other components for continuity. Replace the main control board if its faulty |
| 4. | The magnetron failed | It either has gone bad or isn’t receiving current from the diode. | Troubleshoot the diode. Replace the magnetron with a new one if the current on is faulty |
1. Your Whirlpool Microwave Has Power Issues
The first non-technical reason why your Whirlpool microwave might not be working is that there is a power problem.
It is either your fuse box has a damage, the socket is defective, or the power cord has a problem.
Use a tester to determine if electric current is flowing into the fuse box. If the tester lights, it means there is current and the fuse box is not the problem.
If you’ve had the microwave connected to the socket and not the fuse box, open the socket, inspect the wire connection, and tighten any loose ends. If the socket is faulty, replace it with a new one.
The second thing you do is to inspect the power cord. Check both terminals to ensure power cord wires plug properly. Also, check the grounding wire located on the frame to ensure it holds onto the washer and the screw.
If the microwave does not work with the power cord wires properly connected to the terminals on the noise control board, replace the cord.
To replace the power cord:
- Disconnect the positive and negative ends of the power cord from the noise control board.
- Unthread the grounding wire from the microwave frame.
- Install the new power cord by plugging the positive and negative end into the appropriate terminal on the noise control board.
- Secure the grounding wire on the microwave frame with a screw and washer.
- Reassemble the microwave and plug it back to power.
- Start the microwave to see if it’s now working.
2. The Line Fuse May Have Blown
Your Whirlpool microwave comes fitted with a line fuse whose purpose is to ensure excess current does not pass through the circuitry.
If excess current flows through, the line fuse blows. In the event that the line fuse blows, current flow becomes incomplete, and therefore power doesn’t get to the unit.
The lack of power flow to the unit means your Whirlpool microwave won’t work even if you’re confident that it has power.
You will need to test the line fuse for continuity and replace it if it fails the continuity test.
- Turn off the microwave and unplug the cord to ensure to electric current flows in.
- Remove the screws holding the grill.
- Pull the grill forward from the top to remove it.
- Open the microwave door and unthread the screws holding the control panel.
- Slowly lift the control panel to detach.
- Unthread the screws holding the inner access panel and remove the panel.
- Consider discharging the capacitor to release stored charge.
- Use pliers to remove the old line fuse and install the new line fuse by snapping it into its bracket.
- Replace the inner access panel and re-thread screws to secure.
- Insert the control panel tabs into the front slot and push the panel down. Hold the panel with screws.
- Realign the grill, snap it into place, and re-thread the screws to secure it.
- Plug the microwave back to power and press start to see if the microwave is working.
3. The Main Control Board Could Be Faulty
Your Whirlpool microwave may be refusing to work because the main control board is defective.
However, I should make it very clear that the control board is hardly ever the case for a microwave failing to work.
Consider checking all the most common parts of your microwave before trying to fix the main control board.
If all other parts are working it, it means the main control board is faulty and need a replacement.
Whirlpool Microwave Display Not Working
If your Whirlpool microwave’s display goes out partially, your display board may be defective.
But if it does not work at all, either the display board or control board may be malfunctioning.
Replacing the display board or the main control board should fix this issue.
Whirlpool Microwave Not Working Open/Close Door
The reason why your Whirlpool microwave is giving you an “open/close door” alert is that you have placed food or drink in the microwave, closed the door, and set the cooking time but forgot to press the start button.
The words will display five minutes later after closing the microwave door.
Whirlpool Microwave Not Working After Power Outage
The line fuse may have blown when the power returned. Simply replace the line fuse with a new one to fix the problem.
It is would be best if considered disconnecting your Whirlpool from power in the event of an outage to keep the appliance from power damages.
Start Button on Whirlpool Microwave Not Working
There is only one possible reason why the start button on your Whirlpool microwave is not working.
The appliance’s control panel is defective.
You can also confirm the control panel is causing problems by pressing all the keys. If only some respond, it means the panel is faulty and will need to be replaced.
Whirlpool Microwave Light Bulb Not Working
The light bulb under your Whirlpool microwave is not lighting mainly because it got burned out.
Get a new microwave light bulb for replacement.
Whirlpool Microwave Is Not Heating
Your Whirlpool microwave might not be heating because the diode is faulty, the door switch is defective, or the magnetron has burned out.
For a better understanding, let’s discuss each of these possible causes:
1. The Diode is Faulty
Microwaves receives alternating current (AC) from the sockets. It is the work of the diode to convert this alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).
Based on the current standards, the power conversion voltage can increase to nearly 5K volts.
It is with this high voltage power that the diode can power the magnetron to generate microwaves radiation, which heat your food and drink.
If the diode burns out, the magnetron won’t get the high voltage power to heat whatever it is that you introduce into the heating chamber.
A diode that looks burnt suggests your microwave needs a fix. So replace the diode to get the Whirlpool microwave to heat your foods and drinks again.
2. The Door Switch is Defective
Most Whirlpool microwaves come with 3 to 4 door switches, and their function is to provide your microwave with various safety mechanisms for the door.
The quickest possible way to identify microwave door problems is by testing the door sensors.
Before testing the door switch, test the door latch to determine whether it’s in good working condition.
If the door latch is fully functional, you will hear a click when closing or opening the door.
Next, test each switch on the microwave for continuity. A faulty door sensor will produce little to almost no resistance, in which case you should get a replacement.
3. The Magnetron Burned Out
The magnetron is the part that plays a major role in your microwave. If fully functional, the magnetron will heat anything you put in the heating chamber.
Here’s how it works:
The magnetron receives high-voltage power from the diode and with that. Then, it generates high-power microwave radiation that cooks food within minutes.
But it’s just as easy to damage this component. Most of the time, the magnetron gets damaged if the door is opened, by food, steam over time, and water.
So a Whirlpool microwave that is no longer heating food or drinks might have a damaged magnetron.
Because you can’t repair a magnetron, your only option is to replace it.
Related Reading
- Whirlpool Microwave Won’t Start
- Whirlpool Microwave Troubleshooting
- Microwave Not Heating Food But Runs? Let’s Fix It
- Whirlpool Microwave Error Codes and Fixes
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did My Whirlpool Microwave Stop Working?
If your Whirlpool microwave stops working all of a sudden, the thermistor might have burned out or the line fuse may have blown.
2. Where Can I Find the Line Fuse on My Whirlpool Microwave?
Here is how you can locate the blown line fuse in your Whirlpool microwave:
- Disconnect the microwave from power.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the grill.
- Open the door and remove the screws holding the control panel.
On top of the control panel is an inner access panel, which you should open to access the line fuse.
3. How Do You Reset a Whirlpool Microwave that Won’t Start?
If your Whirlpool microwave does not start, try resetting it.
To soft reset, press the Off/Cancel button to reset and clear errors that show on the display.
If the soft reset does not work, do a hard reset by unplugging the microwave from power and waiting for 30 minutes.
Closing Thoughts
I hope this guide has helped you to understand why your Whirlpool microwave isn’t working as well as what you can do to fix each problem.