3 Most Common Microwave Problems | Fuse, Door Switch, F1E4 Error

Parts I Bought:

This is a great idea, it has one of each type of switch you might need.

These are the 3 main reasons why your microwave stopped working. These fixes apply to any model of microwave, not just the GE or Whirlpool. The easiest fix is to replace the fuse. Next is the very common door error, that involves replacing one of 3 micro switches. The final and most complex fix is the F1E4 error which involves replacing a relay on the circuit board.

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microwave fix, microwave stopped, microwave dead

[janbartlett]

Dave, you are an excellent instructor, and I am so glad you posted all this helpful information. Many people are great at repairs and have extensive knowledge about the task at hand. But just knowing a lot does NOT make one a great teacher! Your friendly manner and delivery are reassuring to your audience, and your tips about pictures, when to throw in the towel or continue with repairs, and how to save money are so appreciated. Thanks for posting this, and keep teaching us!

[debbiethornburg]

I have never ever left a comment or review for anything but I had to now. I knew my door switch was bad but I have four of them so determining which one was dreaded. Luckily, I noticed one had the clicking tab locked up and knew ot was the one. Now, where you come said you could unfuse on the inside of the switch and that's exactly what I did. I haven't had my microwave working for about 6 months and I just fixed it, thanks to you!!! I can't tell you how important your small comment about un-fusing actually is. Who knew!! Thank you so very much for bringing that small detail to everyone's attention. YOU'RE AWESOME!!!!

[robinsnyder]

This video was 100% spot on. My 2015 Whirlpool microwave stopped working over a week or two. The clock continued to work the entire time but the light would not come on when the door opened. If the light didn't come on then the control panel didn't work either. Wait an hour or so open the door and the light came on, everyting worked again. Might work for a couple days then it stopped working again. Finally it would not work at all. Checked the three switches with meter and one didn't seem right. Removed the switch and took took it apart, it has burnt contacts, but were not welded together. Went on Amazon ordered the 3 switch set total price with shipping and tax $8.28. The replacement switches were the exact same brand and part number as the OEM ones. Installed one switch pit everything back together and it is as good as new. Thanks for making the video it was a big help. I was worried I would break the plastic clips that hold the switch in place but I didn't. Thanks again.

[oscarmondragonuribe]

Not only you are knowledgeable you are very well spoken very educated proper vocabulary it’s a blessing to see education smart people as your self that makes you wanting to scream thank you kindly 👋🏻🙏🏻

[ml]

Bless you Dave!! You just saved this 1st grade teacher some money!!🙂 I love the way you explain each step completely using great vocabulary, as well as the visuals, and also hints like taking pics with our camera and not purchasing the most expensive replacements!! You're a great "fixer" as my kiddos say, as well as a good teacher. Thanks so much!

[necolee]

Dave, you just saved me at LEAST $300!!! You were spot on with your directions and I'm a novice on electronic repair. I was able to get the parts on amazon in less than 2 days. I couldn't have done it without you! Thank you SO much ❤

[joesjunkgarage]

Dave, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to produce this very informative video. I have been in the automotive and motorcycle repair business for over four decades. Even though I would consider myself mechanically gifted, I’ve never tackled a microwave repair. Due to the fantastic sage wisdom you provided in this video, I had our microwave repaired in one evening as my local hardware store had the parts in stock to replace the switch and fuse! Thank you again!

[scockrell]

Dave, THANK YOU! I just impressed the heck out of myself by successfully replacing all 3 switches and having my KitchenAid over the range microwave come back to life! A little daunting when you open it up and see all of the wires but your amazingly easy to follow video, a little common sense, a camera, and some patience won the day. I'm one grateful Lady. Can't thank you enough.

[mikehimes]

Thanks Dave! I had an F1E4 on my Whirlpool too but I decided to check the first 2 items you mentioned in your presentation first before looking at the board and sure enough, through process of elimination, the fault was at the bottom door switch. I was fortunate because all I had to do was cycle the switch several times but it will probably have to be changed out eventually. Our family has a habit of opening the door in the middle of the cooking cycle and doing that tends to short out the switches because they are energized. A good practice (and we obviously don't practice this enough) with all Micro hoods is to always press the Cancel button on the control panel before opening the door when the unit is in the middle or near the end of a cook cycle. This will greatly lengthen the life of the door switches due to the fact that they have electrical current running through them during the cook cycle. Thanks again you saved us a ton. I hate changing those units out. That would have been my 4th one.

[rojigeorge]

Thanks Dave! I had an F1E4 error on my Whirlpool, Replaced (P/N: HF25F-012H ) relay available on eBay. Less than $10.00 repair, Replaced everything works fine. Thank you for this helpful information.

[Dactylonian]

This video was perfect. I ordered the 3-piece set using your link, got them 2 days later. Had a hunch it was the lower switch giving me problems (after opening the door, the light didn’t come on, as in maybe the switch was sticking). Replaced the lower switch, plugged in microwave, opened door, and the light came on. Two weeks later and still working great. Thank you!

[StiIgar]

this worked beautifully thank you!
My very expensive samsung microwave went dead overnight. Turns out I had put a mug with gold plating into it and this burnt out the fuse INSIDE the microwave, not the fuse in the plug as is common in the UK. Lo' and behold, samsungs "recommended service providers" wanted to charge £90 for a call-out fee, just to inspect it (the microwave cost £85). A replacement fuse set of 10 (I only needed 1), cost £6 and this took a little over 5 mins to unscrew, insert and screw back. Will happily buy you a beer sir!

[homebrewingtips]

Small world. I just fixed my refrigerator based on your video on the start relay diagnostics and replacement. Then a day later my father in law said his microwave was not working and sent me this video as a reference for ideas on what is wrong. With the thousands of "fix it" videos on YouTube, I found it amazing that he and I both found yours. I am pretty sure it is going to be his door switch and will help him with the repair. A huge thank you from both of us and keep up the great work!! All the best -DT

[shannonkillilea]

THANK YOU!!
I was going to be charged $350 JUST to have a Whirlpool repairman come take a look. You led me through this beautifully- signed, a struggling Mama of 3 kids with disabilities. ❤️

[alanbarros]

Thank you for these instructions. I just replaced a sensor on my microwave and it is now working perfectly, it saved me $300 from buying a new one. Thanks again

[randypic]

Thanks Dave, you're a life saver! Your video gave me the confidence to move forward. Our's is an IKEA microwave (2015) but most everything looked the same. The problem with ours was the door latch wasn't latching, not allowing it to work. Via your video, I removed the upper switch and and found the spring had come off, not allowing it to latch. I was able to reattach the spring to the latch and put it back together. Then we didn't have power, so I found the fuse had blown. I replaced it and the lights came on. Your video made it easier for me to repair our microwave and get it up and running again.

[jayino_cando]

Thanks bro. Just saved me $300 for $10 micro switch. There's only 2 visible latches for Whirlpool but there actually 3 inside. Be careful when disconnecting, it's easy to loose track which connection goes where. Also an older microwave's plastic is brittle so things fall apart while disconnecting the old one. Just hoping for maybe another year with this machine.

[solarwizzo]

Thanks for the video! My Whirlpool WML55011 showed the F1E4 error. I checked the 3 door switches. All good. I then removed the Control board, checked the 3 relays with a 12V power supply. They clicked. All good! Before I ordered a new board, I decided to re-assembled the unit and guess what: It worked! It must have been one of the connectors, which was not properly seated. Easy fix!

[Gadgeteer]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I fixed my microwave for less than $5. Could not have done it without the help from your video. Had to replace one switch.

[kathyashford]

Your video just helped me diagnose and fix my Kenmore OTR microwave, with zero new parts. It was indeed the middle interlock switch that was stuck. Repaired it and I saved either a $249 repair call or potentially a new unit. Thanks so much!