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GE Microwave Keypads/Buttons/Display/Touchscreen Not Working

I recently encountered a frustrating issue with my GE microwave: the buttons just stopped responding. It’s a common problem that many microwave owners face, and it can be quite perplexing when you’re trying to heat up a meal. After some research and troubleshooting, I’ve found a few reasons why this might happen and how to fix them.

If the buttons or keypad on your GE microwave are not working, it could be due to a locked control panel. Many microwaves have a control lock feature for safety. To unlock it, locate the ‘lock’ button (sometimes labeled as a padlock icon) and press and hold it for about 3 seconds. This should unlock the control panel and allow the buttons to function again.

Another possible cause is a malfunctioning touchpad. Over time, the touchpad of your microwave can wear out or get damaged, leading to unresponsiveness. In such cases, the touchpad may need to be replaced. This is a more technical fix and might require professional assistance or a new microwave if the cost of repair is too high compared to the microwave’s value.

GE Microwave Keypads/Buttons/Display/Touchscreen Not Working

Lastly, the issue could be related to the microwave’s internal circuitry. A loose or damaged ribbon cable connecting the touchpad to the main control board can cause the buttons to stop working. If you’re comfortable with DIY repairs, you can unplug the microwave, disassemble the door to access the control board, and check the ribbon cable connections. If they’re loose, resecure them, but if damaged, professional repair or replacement might be necessary.

We will go over the various issues a GE microwave can relate to unresponsive touch inputs and broken displays. Read on if you would like to learn more.

GE Microwave Keypads Not Working: Causes/How to Fix

GE Microwave Keypads Not Working: Causes/How to Fix

GE is one of the most common manufacturers of microwaves, and with them, you can’t go wrong – they perform well and are not a fire hazard, which is what matters at the end of the day. But any appliance, even from quality producers such as GE, can have problems.

Few things are as disappointing as coming home hungry, and you just want to heat a meal, but when you go to press the keypads on your microwave, nothing happens. We expect our appliances to work at all times, but unfortunately, this does not always happen. 

There are many reasons why your GE microwave keypads have issues, so we want to run through the possible causes and what to do about them. 

Wipe Down Your Microwave

If you have not cleaned it in a while, your microwave keypads can get dirty. If your microwave does not react to your touch inputs, you can use a damp microfiber cloth or disinfectant wipes to wipe the buttons down.

You might be shocked to find that this is the only thing you need to do to solve the issue; unless it is especially old, it is very uncommon for a GE microwave to become defective in this manner, so start with the simplest troubleshoot method by giving your microwave a good cleaning. 

Reset Your Microwave

There are times where the microwave will glitch out and be unresponsive. In this case, it could come down to a bugged programming sequence that creates a pause from an operation being engaged when you push the keypad.

Simply reset the microwave by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If you still find that your microwave’s keypads are not functioning, it is time to move on to the next possibility.

The Issue Likely Lies With the Control Panel or TouchPad

The control panel is like the brain or motherboard of your microwave, and it is what activates the microwave when you press on the keypad. If something is wrong with this component, your microwave can get thrown out of whack and start not functioning properly. 

Then there is the touchpad, which is the component that sends your button presses to the control panel. We say “button presses” because while it may seem like it, microwave keypads are generally not touch screens, but rather each number/label has a membrane switch underneath it. Naturally, if the touchpad is stuck or defective, there is no way to tell the control panel what you want the microwave to do. 

To pin down which of these two components is giving you issues, you will have to pay attention if just the buttons are affected or the microwave functionality in general.

If the microwave responds to some button inputs but not others, the likely culprit is a faulty touchpad.

On the flip side, if none of the buttons respond and/or your microwave’s display seems glitchy or will not illuminate, then the likely culprit is a bad control panel that will need to be replaced. 

If you need to replace both of these, you can expect to pay approximately $50, which may or may not be worth it depending on how much you spent on the microwave itself. 

GE Microwave Keypads Not Responding: Causes/How to Fix

GE Microwave Keypads Not Responding: Causes/How to Fix

If your GE microwave’s keypads are not responding to your touch inputs, there are two likely reasons why this is happening. The touchpad is faulty, which will require a replacement that costs at least $10. 

If none of the buttons are working or notice that the display is strange, the control panel could be faulty. This part is more expensive than the touchpad since it acts as the motherboard for the appliance. A replacement for this part can cost you around $40.

GE Microwave Buttons Not Working: Causes/How to Fix

GE Microwave Buttons Not Working: Causes/How to Fix

If your GE microwave’s buttons are not working at all, the problem is probably a faulty control panel. The touchpad may be working fine, but the control panel either is not getting the signals or processing them. This is a repair that will usually run you about $40. 

GE Microwave Touch Screen Not Working: Causes/How to Fix

GE Microwave Touch Screen Not Working: Causes/How to Fix

If your GE microwave’s “touch screen” is not working at all, you may need to replace the control board. But if some buttons are working, then the touch panel will need to be replaced. 

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 28, 2020.

The former is a repair that will likely cost you at least $40 if not more, while the latter is a cheap fix at around $10 or so. 

GE Microwave Display Not Working: Causes/How to Fix

GE Microwave Display Not Working: Causes/How to Fix

If your GE microwave’s display is not working, the most likely reason is a defective control board, typically caused by either a faulty capacitor or a missing solder. If you have prior experience with soldering, you can attempt to solder a broken line with a soldering iron. 

Only attempt to do this if you are confident in your abilities; in most cases, you should call a professional or contact GE if your microwave is under warranty. 

How Do You Fix a Short Keypad on a GE Microwave: Causes/How to Fix

How Do You Fix a Short Keypad on a GE Microwave: Causes/How to Fix

If you need to repair a shorted keypad on your GE microwave, you will need to follow these steps:

  1. Unplug the microwave.
  2. Unscrew the screws that are holding the top vent grill on top of the microwave.
  3. Unscrew the screws holding the control panel cover to the right.
  4. Unplug the ribbon cable (this is what controls the keypad).

If you would like a visual guide, the video below will show you how to do these step:

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 28, 2020.

From here, the ribbon connector may just need to be cleaned with compressed air or a cotton swab. Your issue may also be that the cable became loose and only needs to be plugged back in. If it is damaged, then the keypad will need to be replaced.

When Is It Not Worth Fixing a Microwave?

When Is It Not Worth Fixing a Microwave?

To determine if your microwave is worth fixing or not, you will need to assess how old it is, how much you initially paid for it, and how much it will cost to repair the issue you are having. If your microwave is old and/or the repairs are close enough to a new microwave cost, it is best to simply buy a new one. 

Final Thoughts

If your microwave’s keypad is giving you problems, the control board is likely faulty, or the touchpad itself is not functioning properly. If your appliance is under warranty, you can contact GE and ask about an RMA.

But If your microwave is older and/or the cost of repairs is close enough to a new microwave, we would recommend replacing it.

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