Kenmore Microwave: not functioning buttons

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Kenmore microwave's touchpad unresponsive? You may notice that pressing buttons does nothing, the display may light up, or only some buttons may work. This issue can stem from a faulty membrane switch, a loose ribbon cable, or even a control board failure. Troubleshooting these causes can help restore functionality to your microwave.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Kenmore Models

  • Repair parts guides for Kenmore specifically list touchpad and control board as top causes for buttons not working.

Possible Causes

Faulty membrane switch (touchpad)

How to Identify: Some buttons don’t respond or only intermittently respond; physical wear on buttons; display lights but no command input.

Part: Membrane switch / touchpad

Loose or disconnected ribbon cable between touchpad and control board

How to Identify: After opening the unit, ribbon cable may be loose; re-seating may restore function without parts replacement.

Part: Touchpad ribbon cable connection

Control board failure

How to Identify: All buttons unresponsive, including after replacing touchpad; visual damage or burnt components on the board.

Part: User control board

Door interlock switch issue affecting control system

How to Identify: Microwave behaves as if door not properly closed; display may show errors or fail to accept input.

Part: Door switch

DIY Solutions

Power reset of the microwave

Easy 5–10 minutes
  1. Unplug the microwave from the power outlet.
  2. Wait 5–10 minutes to allow control board to reset.
  3. Plug the microwave back in and test button responsiveness.
⚠️ Safety First: No internal access required; just unplugging power.

Cleaning and checking for child lock or surface issues

Easy 10–15 minutes
Tools Needed: soft cloth, mild cleaner
  1. Ensure child lock (if available) is not engaged (check manual).
  2. Clean the keypad surface gently with a soft damp cloth, ensuring no moisture enters seams.
  3. Dry thoroughly and test keypad.
  4. If moisture ingress is suspected, allow a dry period before testing again.
⚠️ Safety First: Do not allow liquid inside seams; avoid wet cloths.

Re-seat the ribbon cable to the control board

Moderate 30–45 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdrivers, protective gloves
  1. Unplug microwave and remove outer casing per service manual.
  2. Locate the touchpad ribbon cable connection at the control board.
  3. Carefully disconnect and re-seat the ribbon cable.
  4. Reassemble microwave and test buttons.
⚠️ Safety First: High-voltage components present; must discharge capacitor or wait several minutes after unplugging before working inside.

Professional Repairs

Replace membrane switch (touchpad)

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Replace control board

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

Inspect and replace door interlock switches

Estimated Cost: $50 - $120

When to Call a Professional

If internal component replacement is required (touchpad, control board)
If microwave exhibits additional issues like burning smell, sparking, or smoke
If you are uncomfortable working with high-voltage appliances

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean keypad surface regularly: Build-up of food spatters or moisture that can impair keypad function
    Frequency: monthly
  • Avoid moisture ingress around buttons: Corrosion/shorts affecting touchpad responsiveness
    Frequency: ongoing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Microwave not functioning buttons?
Common causes include a faulty membrane switch, loose ribbon cable, or control board failure.
How do I fix Kenmore Microwave not functioning buttons myself?
Try a power reset, check for child lock, or re-seat the ribbon cable to the control board.
How much does it cost to fix not functioning buttons?
Professional repairs can range from $50 to $300, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not functioning buttons?
If DIY solutions don't work or if you're uncomfortable with repairs, it's best to call a technician.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

60%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Defective touchpad or control panel
  • Faulty connection or wiring issue
  • Malfunctioning control board

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Inspect and replace the touchpad. First, unplug the microwave. Remove the control panel by unscrewing it. Disconnect the old touchpad and connect the new one, then reassemble the panel and plug the microwave back in.

  2. Check and repair wiring connections. Unplug the microwave and access the control panel. Look for loose or damaged wires and secure or replace them as necessary. Reassemble and test the microwave.

  3. Replace the control board if necessary. Unplug the microwave, access the control board, and replace it with a new one. Ensure all connections are secure before reassembling.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Microwave - two buttons stopped (mostly) working

Community Discussions

two buttons stopped working

replace the touchpad

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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