whirlpool microwave lcd display problems manufacturer

The microwave display is an important part of the appliance. The display is used to confirm that your button-press commands have entered. It counts down the time, displays power level, and shows you which preset you’ve selected. In many households, it’s also the primary visible clock. There are few things more annoying than when your microwave display suddenly stops working. Maybe it’s completely blank, or showing you a row of half-zeros, or the display is so garbled that you have to decrypt it to read your popcorn countdown. Whatever the problem, we’re here to offer a quick guide for what you can do when your microwave display stops working.

The first step for any appliance troubleshooting is to check the power cable and power supply. If the screen has gone completely blank and the buttons don’t beep anymore, there’s a chance that your microwave is just unplugged or is powered by a tripped breaker.

There’s a chance that the power was cut off to your outlet, not a problem with the plug. Check your breaker box. If one breaker is at the center or pointing the wrong direction, flip it “off” then back to “on” to reset it. Then check your microwave.One last check is to plug your microwave into another outlet. Just in case that does the trick.

If it’s not a power problem, then the issue really is inside your microwave display and control panel. To access this, you’re going to need to remove the control panel and take a peek “under the hood” to see if you can spot any problems that could be easily fixed.

Unplug your microwave from the wall so there’s no risk of getting a shock when you access the wires behind the panel. Keep in mind that the capacitor inside the microwave can still store voltage for a long period of time even after unplugging the unit. It may require a manual discharge, which you should not attempt without training and prior experience. Look for mounting screws along the top front of your microwave, which covers the front vent. Remove the screws then open the door and pull the vent free. With the door open, you’ll see additional mounting screws securing the panel to the microwave cabinet.

Remove those screws, then carefully pry the panel open, pressing any clips along the edges. There will be wires connecting the panel and the microwave. Secure these wires firmly and/or disconnect and reconnect each wire harness. If there’s a loose wire, it can be repaired with this method.

When all the wires are secure, close the panel back up and press until the clips click. Then return the mounting screws, the vent cover, and the vent cover’s mounting screws. Plug the microwave back in and give the panel a try. There’s a chance you just fixed your problem.

If nothing else has worked, your next option is to consider replacing the control panel. In most cases, you’re better off trying to replace the entire panel assembly than trying to pinpoint exactly which small electric component went wrong and how to fix it. If you do choose to replace the panel, you will need to look up specific information on this repair based on the brand and model of your microwave. Whether your microwave is mounted above the stove may also make a difference. This will determine where your mounting screws and clips are located and the exact steps to exchange one control panel for a replacement. You will, of course, also need to order an exact replacement for your microwave model.

Please remember to unplug the microwave before performing this repair. If you are uncomfortable taking apart your microwave or working with appliance wiring, there’s another option.

A professional appliance repair technician will be able to replace the control panel of your microwave with ease. They will also have a number of additional troubleshooting tricks up their sleeve to help you hunt down the exact problem with your microwave. Whether you don’t have time for microwave drama or you would rather a professional take a screwdriver to your appliances, calling for appliance repairs is often the smartest way to solve a broken home appliance.

Your final option, one that many people choose, is to simply buy a new microwave. This might sound like strange advice coming from a team of repair technicians, but some appliances were not built with the intention of regular repairs or part replacements. Most microwaves today are very affordably priced, a price that includes the bulk-discount of parts and assembly.

The individual replacement pieces and time to do the repairs will often cost you more than simply buying a new microwave of the exact same make and model, or even something newer and nicer. As repair technicians, we can tell you that repairing a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, or water heater are common because the appliance is much more valuable than its individual parts.

But a microwave? If that control panel is giving you too much trouble and is not a quick fix, consider buying a new one. We’d be happy to help you keep it in great condition so this problem doesn’t happen prematurely with your next model. We are always proud to help local homeowners and business owners keep their appliances in check. Whether you’re calling for maintenance and servicing, emergency repairs, or need an essential part of your appliances replaced, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule your repairs, consult on an appliance-related problem, or build a maintenance schedule for the appliances on your property. We look forward to hearing from you.

Hi, I have a similar problem with this model. It is two years old and out of warranty. The display worked properly last night, but is not working this morning. I have checked other functions, and it seems to work otherwise, except for the display. Is it possible to replace just the display, or do I need to replace the entire circuit board? If so, what part number do I need? Thanks for any advice. Jerry

The control panel does not have individual light bulbs that can be changed. If the display is not working or partially working after following the steps above, service is needed.

2) Removed the four screws holding the extension kit to the microwave (easily visible on the front of the microwave) and removed the side panels (required sliding the panels up and off).

5) Removed the screws that secured the front display panel to the microwave. These are located on the side of the microwave just behind the display panel. There are a total of 4 screws, 2 on each side. Additionally there was a clip holding the front panel on. We were able to press down to get it to release. NOTE: You will not be able to fully remove the panel as there are cables that run back to the board which is only reachable by removing the top panel

6) Removed the screws along the sides. back, and top to remove the top panel (there are 3 screws on each side and 2-3 in the back, there is only one screw on the top near the back right that holds the top to a part inside the microwave.

7) Peeled the top off of the microwave - there is a line of double sided tape that held the front of the top panel to the back of piece where the front display panel was mounted.

8) Carefully remove the existing LED Display Board. There is a single plastic clip that you have to very gently press back to slide the LED out. We were not careful enough and the clip broke. It did not hinder the replacement and even without the small plastic bit the LED board sat snuggly in its spot.

9) Trace the cable from the LED board back to the circuit board and unplug the cable. We pulled the cable out through the front of the microwave as the hole from the front display panel back to the board was just slightly too small to fit the board through.

13) Replace the top of the microwave and the associated screws (we used four small bowls to separate the screws for the top of the microwave, screws for the front of the microwave, screws for mounting the microwave, and screws for the expansion kit)

15) Plug microwave back in. (We took this opportunity to turn the breaker back on to test and make sure everything was working before we remounted the microwave)

Here’s a zoomed in image of the control board (supplier example only) for your model microwave oven where I’ve highlighted the electrolytic capacitors.

Without a schematic for the board (I couldn’t find one online) I cannot tell you which is the exact one associated with the display but look for any that seem blown or leaking. Blown means domed end caps.

The HV capacitor in a microwave, can store >5000V DC for months even if the power to the oven has been disconnected for this length of time. This amount of voltage can seriously injure you. You need to correctly discharge the HV capacitor as soon as possible after removing the cover from the oven and before commencing any other work in the oven. If you don’t know what you’re doing then don’t do it!