Kenmore is a well known brand that make a range of different appliances. Kenmore microwaves like all electronic appliances can have issues from time to time. Today, I will explain how to fix a Kenmore microwave that isn’t working
Generally, you should first verify if it’s getting power from the wall outlet. Try plugging it into a different wall outlet. Or, plug else into the same wall outlet to see if the wall outlet is working. If the wall outlet is working fine, in general, it’s best to have a technician repair it.
Kenmore Microwave ovens are display error codes on the LCD display. But, microwaves have very high amounts of electricity running through them. For this reason they should not be repaired yourself unless you’re a qualified technician. However, there are a range of more specific issues which can be fixed yourself, below I’ll cover what issues with a Kenmore microwave can be repaired yourself and which you can’t.
Kenmore Microwave Not Working (How to Fix)
There are a range of specific issues that can occur with a Kenmore microwave, including the LCD display not working, and the plate not spinning. Below, I will explain the common issues for it not to work, and how to fix them.
In general, the child lock may be on. This will stop the microwave from functioning. To turn the child lock on and off press and hold the ‘Start’ button for 4 seconds. If the LCD is not displaying anything at all, then check that the wall outlet is working, by testing it with another device.
You can use a phone charger or something similar that is easy to plug in and test the wall outlet. If the wall outlet isn’t working at all check your fuse box. The circuit breaker can have tripped and so your microwave isn’t getting any power.
Kenmore Microwave Not Turning On
The LCD display on your Kenmore microwave can be completely blank. This shows that it’s not getting power, or something is wrong with one or more of the components. Here’s what to do if your Kenmore microwave is not turning on.
Overall, first check that the wall outlet to your Kenmore microwave is getting power. Do that by testing the wall outlet with another appliance/device. If it’s getting power, typically, a fuse in your microwave has blown, and a technician needs to repair it.
It’s also possible the child lock is on. This will stop you from being able to start your Kenmore microwave. You may have noticed that the ‘Start’ button has a padlock icon next to it. And it’s because the ‘Start’ button can also be used to turn the child lock on and off. To do that press and hold the ‘Start’ button for 4 seconds. A small padlock icon will show on the LCD screen.
Kenmore Microwave Not Heating
After you press the start button and your Kenmore microwave lights up and the plate starts spinning the food or drink inside should begin being heated. If after a few minutes or more the food or drink doesn’t change temperature at all, it indicates that your microwave is not heating. This is what you should do if your Kenmore microwave is not heating.
In general, first check that it is indeed not heating by doing a test with a cup of cold water. Cook it in your microwave for 1 minute and see if it heats up. If it doesn’t then it’s definitely not heating. The only way to have it fixed is to have a licensed technician repair it for you.
Even on the lowest temperature setting after 1 minute a glass of cold water will at least warm up a little bit. One of the internal components has malfunctioned. It’s recommended by Kenmore to have a repair technician do the repair for you.
Kenmore Microwave Not Spinning
When a Kenmore microwave is operating normally the plate will spin slowly, and helps the food or drink to heat evenly. If the plate is not spinning a microwave still works, however, it’s better if it is working. This is what you should do when your Kenmore microwave is not spinning.
In general, inspect the plate to see that it’s seated on the spinning mechanism correctly. The spinning mechanism has grooves that the plate sits into. If it’s not that the spinning mechanism can be faulty, and it needs to be repaired or replaced by a qualified technician.
It’s common for the plate to come off the spinning mechanism. Or, if someone took it out to clean it, they may not have put it back on the spinning mechanism correctly. It’s very easy to adjust the positioning of the plate so that the fitting on the bottom of the plate is sitting on the mechanism correctly.
Kenmore Microwave Display Not Working
When the display on your Kenmore microwave is not working, it’s still possible to use your microwave. But, it’s much better if it’s working. Here’s instructions for what to do when your Kenmore microwave display isn’t working.
In general, the connection at the back of a display is faulty, and needs to be replaced. Therefore, if you have this issue contact Kenmore to organize a technician to repair it. The clock can also need to be set, instructions for how to do that are explained below.
To set the clock press the ‘Stop/Clear’ button and then press the ‘Clock’ button. After that use the numbers on the keypad to input the time. To store the time press the ‘Start’ button once for AM, and twice for PM.
Kenmore Microwave Keypad Not Working
The keypad is required to operate your Kenmore microwave. Typically, unless it’s locked it will always work. But, it can become faulty and nothing happens when you press the buttons, so here’s how to fix it.
As a general rule, the connections behind your keypad are faulty, or the keypad itself can be faulty. Microwaves are not recommended to be repaired yourself. Therefore, you should contact Kenmore to get a qualified technician to repair it.
It’s possible the touchscreen isn’t registering your key presses because your hands are wet. Or, the display needs to be cleaned. Wipe down the keypad using a damp cloth. And then dry it completely with a tea towel or paper towel.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 27, 2022.
Kenmore Microwave Light Not Working
The interior light on a microwave is very convenient because you can see if a dish is boiling over, or starting to spatter. Light all lightbulbs, the light can blow, or the connection can be faulty. Here’s a rundown on what to do if your Kenmore microwave light isn’t working.
As a general rule, the light has blown and needs to be replaced. The owners manuals of virtually all Kenmore microwaves have instructions for how to replace the bulb on your Kenmore microwave. If it doesn’t contact Kenmore, to see if it’s recommended to replace the bulb yourself.
Typically, it’s a matter of opening a few clips, and then unscrewing the existing bulb. Then putting in a new one. But, it’s important to always disconnect the power. There are various websites online where you can order a new bulb such as Sears, or Part Select.
However, first check whether it is possible to replace the bulb yourself in the owner’s manual for your specific model Kenmore microwave. An online version of the service, and owners manual can be found on this page of the official Kenmore website.
Kenmore Microwave Clock Not Working
The clock is handy because you can quickly glance at the time when eating or cooking the kitchen. It needs to be set manually when you first get your Kenmore microwave. But, it can be deleted and not working, this is how to get the clock working again.
Generally, you press the stop clean button, then press the clock button. After that you type in the time using the numbers on the keypad. Then press the ‘Start’ button once for AM, and twice to set it to PM. After that the clock will be set.
The clock can get wiped if there’s a power outage, or if you disconnected your Kenmore microwave while it is turned on.
Kenmore Microwave Fan Not Working
There is a fan on Kenmore microwaves which cools the electronic components, and the interior if it gets too hot. It does turn on and off automatically when the microwave detects it’s getting too hot. But, if it’s not working at all, here’s what causes it and how to get it fixed.
In general, the fan is faulty and needs to be repaired or replaced. Microwaves are very difficult and dangerous to repair yourself. Therefore, you should contact Kenmore to have a qualified technician do the repair for you.
If your fan works sometimes but not others this is interestingly normal operation. Therefore, you don’t need to do anything. Typically, the fan not working at all will cause damage to your microwave because it will overheat.
Can You Reset a Kenmore Microwave?
There can be various glitches on a Kenmore microwave and doing a reset can fix these issues. Doing so will reset the internal computer and fix many different issues. Here’s exactly how to reset a Kenmore microwave.
Disconnect it from the power by turning it off at the wall outlet or unplugging it at the wall. Do this while your Kenmore microwave is on. According to the owners manuals of Kenmore microwaves there is no reset/restart button.
After doing a reset the display will only show ‘:’ and the time needs to be set. To set the clock check out the heading above that says ‘Kenmore microwave clock not working’. It provides step by step instructions for how to set the clock. A Kenmore microwave will automatically reset if there’s a power outage. For example, if one of the circuit breakers gets overloaded and clicks off.
Is There a Reset Button on a Kenmore Microwave?
Similar to other electronic devices and appliances a Kenmore microwave can need to be reset. This can fix various issues because it resets the internal computer. Here’s whether it’s possible to reset a Kenmore microwave.
There is no reset button on a Kenmore microwave. However, you can reset your Kenmore microwave by disconnecting it from the power while it is turned on. When you plug it back in the display will ask you to set the clock, or will just have ‘:’ on the display to let you know to set the clock.
I’ve provided detailed step by step instructions for how to set the clock. Scroll up a little bit and look for the heading that says ‘Kenmore microwave clock not working’. Following the instructions there to set the clock.
How to Reset Kenmore Microwave
Microwaves have an internal computer that controls how each of the different components talk to each. It also is responsible for virtually everything your microwave does. When there’s an issue with your Kenmore microwave doing a reset can fix a large range of issues, so here’s how to do that.
As a general rule, disconnect it from the power while it’s turned on to reset your Kenmore microwave. There are no instructions in the official service or owners manuals for Kenmore microwaves. However, doing that resets all the settings, and it will ask you to set the time again.
The digital display can say ‘set the time’. Or, it will just have the semi-colon – the : symbol showing on the digital display. To set the clock scroll down to the heading below that says ‘how to reset the clock on your Kenmore microwave’. Follow the step by step instructions there.
How to Factory Reset/Hard Reset Kenmore Microwave
Various issues on a Kenmore microwave can be solved by doing a factory reset. According to the official Kenmore microwave owners manuals they don’t state a way to do a hard reset/factory reset. But, it is possible, this is how to do it.
In general, disconnect your Kenmore microwave from the power while it’s turned on. You can do it by unplugging it at the wall, or turning it off at the wall outlet. This will do a hard reset of all the settings including the time. After doing that you need to set the time again.
Instructions for how to set the time are explained in the next heading below that says how to reset the clock on your Kenmore microwave. Other than that your Kenmore microwave will operate as normal without you needing to change or set anything else.
How to Reset Clock on Kenmore Microwave
The clock can be set incorrectly on your Kenmore microwave which can be a bit annoying. After a power outage, or if you disconnect your Kenmore microwave from the power when it’s turned on will also wipe the clock, and it needs to be set again. Here are step by step instructions for how to reset the clock on your Kenmore microwave:
Overall, start by pressing the ‘Stop/Clear’ button, then press the ‘Clock’ button. Then use the keypad to enter in the time, for example, press ‘0, 8, 0, 0’ to set it to 8:00 AM or PM. Then press the ‘Start’ button twice to set it to PM, or press the ‘Start’ button once to set it to AM.
The clock will then display the time all the time, except when your microwave is in use. When the clock isn’t set it will just show ‘:’ on the screen when it’s not in use.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 27, 2022.
In general, first check that the wall outlet is working by testing it with another electrical appliance or device. Next, check that the child lock is off. When the child lock is on none of the buttons will work. Hold the start button down for 4 seconds to turn the child lock on and off.