GE Microwave Not Working? (here’s why & what to do)

If you own a GE microwave and it’s not working as it should, it can be annoying, but in many cases the problems can be solved without calling in professional assistance.

In this article we look at the most common reasons why your GE microwave might not be working properly and offer easy to fix remedies wherever possible. Let’s get started;

Why Has Your GE MIcrowave Stopped Working?

There are several reasons why your GE microwave might have stopped working which include;

Probable Cause	Solution
Power Outage	Perform a hard reset
Microwave’s Plug Disconnected	Ensure the plug is fully inserted into the socket and the power is switched on
Defective Power Socket	Check the socket and try the microwave in another socket
Circuit Breaker Tripped	Reset the circuit breaker
GFCI Tripped	Reset the GFCI
Electrical Glitch	Perform a hard reset
Child Lock Activated	Deactivate the child lock
Door Latch Or Sensor Fault	Inspect the door latch and strike plate, contact a technician
Thermal Fuse Blown	Replace the thermal fuse
Internal Component Fault	Contact a technician

Let’s take a closer look at each of these issues;

Power Outage

There are many reasons that can cause a power outage which include;

• Accidents
• Animal Damage
• High Winds
• Lightning Strikes
• Ice Build Up
• Fallen Tree Damage

The power going off due to a power outage can be problematic to the proper functioning of your microwave. However the biggest cause for concern is once the power is reinstated.

At this point the microwave can suffer from a power surge which can potentially damage the internal components of the microwave. In some cases you can fix the issue by performing a hard reset to clear any glitches etc caused by the power surge.

How To Perform A Hard Reset On A GE Microwave

To perform a hard reset on your GE microwave just do the following;

1. Disconnect The Power Supply
   Remove the microwave’s plug from the wall socket or flip the circuit breaker to the off position.
2. Allow All Residual Power To Clear
   Wait for 10 to 15 minutes to allow any residual electricity to dissipate.
3. Reconnect The Power Supply
   Plug the microwave’s plug back into the wall socket and ensure the power supply is switched on. Or flip the circuit breaker to the on position.

That’s the hard reset completed and your GE microwave should now be functioning properly again. If not, continue to the next step or contact a technician.

Microwave’s Plug Disconnected

If ever you find that your GE microwave isn’t working, the first place you should check is the plug socket. Ensure that the plug is fully inserted into the socket and that the switch on the socket is in the on position.

You should check that the power cord isn’t damaged or frayed at all and then plug something else into the socket to check that it is not faulty and causing the problem.

Defective Power Socket

If the power socket has any signs of burning or scorch marks this could be the cause of the microwave not working. It could also have triggered the next problem on our list.

Circuit Breaker Tripped

If your microwave is connected to a circuit breaker you should check whether the circuit breaker has tripped. Open the cover on the circuit breaker and check the one the microwave is connected to.

If it is in the off position, flip it back to the on position. This could have tripped during a power outage or surge or due to some other fault. Sometimes simply flipping the breaker back on is all it needs to get the microwave functioning properly again.

If the circuit breaker trips again soon afterwards, you will need to get it checked out by an electrician or microwave technician.

GFCI Tripped

The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI is designed to protect against electric shocks. During a power outage or at times when an electrical imbalance occurs, the GFCI could trip and cut power to the microwave.

You can reset the GFCI by pressing the reset button on the unit. If it immediately trips again it could indicate an electrical problem that will need to be addressed by an expert.

We would recommend contacting a qualified electrician to investigate further.

Electrical Glitch

With so many electrical wires and connectors used to make your GE microwave work properly, it is relatively easy for one of them to short out or become loose. This can sometimes be enough to cause a software malfunction or electrical glitch to occur.

This can often be solved by simply performing a hard reset (see above). If the hard reset is unsuccessful in clearing the fault, you will need to contact a technician to investigate.

We never recommend dismantling the microwave yourself because many of the internal components can hold an electrical charge long after the appliance has been disconnected from the power supply.

Child Lock Activated

If the child lock or control lock has been activated, many of the controls on the microwave will not function. You can deactivate the child lock by pressing and holding the off/clear button for around 3 to 5 seconds.

Door Latch Or Sensor Fault

As many of you will already know, microwaves can be dangerous to humans. Which is why the door of your GE microwave has sensors to ensure it is fully closed before the appliance will operate.

You should inspect the door latch and strike plate and ensure they are perfectly aligned. Close the door firmly and check that it shuts properly.

If it all looks fine, the problem is likely to be with the door sensor or one of the multiple door switches employed to ensure the door is securely closed.

We recommend contacting a technician to investigate and fix any door, door switch or door sensor related problems.

Thermal Fuse Blown

Your GE microwave has a safety device called a thermal fuse which is designed to blow if the appliance is subjected to a power surge or fluctuation. It blows to cut power from the internal components of the microwave preventing any serious damage.

Once the thermal fuse blows, it cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced. If you’re a competent DIYer, you can test the thermal fuse yourself. But we don’t recommend it as microwaves have many components that can carry a charge long after the power has been disconnected.

We recommend contacting a technician to investigate and replace the thermal fuse if necessary.

Internal Component Fault

If all of the above has failed to get your GE microwave working properly again, the problem probably lies internally and is electrical. Any one of the internal electrical components can become damaged due to power surges, fluctuations, faulty wiring or other issues.

We recommend contacting a technician to diagnose and repair your GE microwave if you suspect the issue is due to an internal component failure.

Why You Should Contact A Professional

There are several components that are used to produce microwaves that are high voltage and can carry a high voltage charge long after the power has been disconnected. 

This means that unless you know what you’re doing, dismantling your GE microwave can cause serious injury or even death. Added to which, if your microwave is still under warranty, it will be voided if you remove any panels etc.

If your GE microwave is still under warranty, we recommend contacting GE directly for more information. If your warranty has expired, we recommend contacting a technician with experience in fixing microwaves.

For any household electrical issues, we recommend contacting a fully qualified electrician.

SEE ALSO: Mini Oven Vs Microwave (which to choose)

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