Rather than remove the entire casing from the microwave, take out the two screws on the top (in back of the fan). Move the fan cover to the left and remove. there is one screw at the top of the control panel; remove that screw. Now, lift straight up on the panel to disengage the clips that are holding it to the oven. You will now expose the wiring. The connectors are right there, behind the panel.
Yes, that is correct. I just never took the time to update the video. Thx for posting the much easier method. Someone else also posted a long time ago... So it's at the bottom of comments and most don't see it.
You can get to that Thermal fuse from the front panel. take out two screws where the vent unit is, slide vent unit to left 1 inch. Then under that you will see one screw that hold the control panel on, simply unscrew that and open control panel outward.
Just called the 800 number Lisa supplied, and one of GE's consumer advocates set up to have our microwave removed and replaced at no cost. Thank you Lisa for taking the time to post your experience. It saved me a boatload of arguing and headaches. Thanks again!!
Wow. This was so easy. I did a hybrid of what Alverton said to do to open up the microwave (no need to uninstall the microwave or take the entire cover off - just take off the fan guard and then the touch panel lifts up and out) and Andrew said to do with regard to the cables. I unplugged the one cable that Andrew pointed out in his video, left it disconnected for about 30 seconds, and reconnected. This took me about 5 minutes. Thanks to both of you.
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS!!! We have a 6 year old GE Profile Microwave, which was in the place when we bought it and is currently retailing at Home Depot for $569. Mine doesn't look exactly like yours, but I actually accessed the same area by taking off the vent cover on top, then removing the touch pad. I basically unplugged all of the clips that look like the ones you referenced, waited a minute and plugged them back in and YES! microwave is fully functional again. You are a good Samaritan.
I thought I would add the information already presented here on the GE Café Microwave issues. First, thanks goes out to Lisa, for the information on calling GE. I called today and spoke to a consumer relations representative. I was then directed to another representative who handles the "touchpad microwave" program. He was very professional and inquired if I tried the "hard restart" to which I did. He then indicated that GE has had numerous problems with the GE Café models and that I qualify for a replacement. GE, through a third party will have all the work done within 3-6 days. FYI, the circuit board would have cost $629.00 to replace.... $13.00 more than I paid for the microwave.
Andrew, thank you for posting this and it just worked on my 2007 GE microwave but after a modification to your approach. I tried what you recommended as the two connectors were definitely not on the tabs snugly. After reattaching firmly and powering up, there still no response from the touchpad. But then I crimped the connectors slightly with needle nose plyers and tried again. YES! It now works. Thank you for again for figuring this out for us!
Thanks so much for the info..I was able to get a new Microwave with just a nominal fee, because the old micro was 5 years old. I was also able to acquire new knobs for the cafe range due to the plastic knobs breaking. They now are metal. Thank you again for this info, it saved alot of money..:-)
I have a GE profile microwave with some on the touchpad not working ---defrost, stop cancel button. I followed the solution posted below by just removing the panel as described below, taking photographs of the connections on the panel, unplugging each connection and then plugging it back.It works great now!! You can avoid a lot of work by avoiding removing all the panels.. FYI. "Leave OTR Microwave installed. Unplug the power cord. Remove 2 screws from fan guard and slide off. Remove screw at top of the touch panel and lift up on the entire touch panel about ¼ to ½ inch. Take a picture of cables for reminder. Unplug all the cables that connect the touch panel to the microwave. Remove the green ground cable by removing the screw. Gently remove and reseat three ribbon cables. Reinstall. Fan vibration causes the problem. You just saved $700.00."
Well done demonstration. One further item to check. I found when troubleshooting my unit, that the actual cause of my intermittent loss of control panel function, was the fuse clip holding the lower of the two fuses in the unit located behind the small panel above the control panel, was not holding the fuse securely and the vibration caused by opening and closing the door as well as the entry of information on the control panel was causing the problem. Remove the power, pull the fuse (s), carefully crimp the spring clips to tighten the hold on the fuses. Another note, when cleaning the contacts on the ribbon cables it's best to use a cleaning fluid with no oil content. Some rubbing alcohol contains a lubricant.
Thank you for this! Saved me a lot of hassle and an expensive service. Mine had an extra couple of screws underneath the microwave. I was wondering why the casing wasn’t coming off and then found them.
That's awesome people still use this video. Glad it helped you out. This video is outdated (see pinned comment for easier method). GE is a bad company in my opinion. They design products to fail and take advantage of consumers. Filling up landfills w/ broken products so they can make a profit.
Just got off phone w/ GE Cust. Serv. Lisa is correct, they are replacing our unit...and/or offering a very good deal on an upgrade! Thrilled w/ service! And pleasantly surprised!
Our touchpad failed today as well. So glad I found this post. Just called GE Customer Relations and as stated here they are replacing the entire microwave. Can get a similar Cafe model (CVM1790SSSS) for free, or upgrade to the Cafe Advantium model (CSA1201RSS) for about $250. No more LCD panels on the new models as I guess they couldn't resolve the issues with them so they changed the design.
thank-you Lisa!!! I tried Andrew's solution did not work for me. I called the GE number Lisa gave and they are shipping out a new unit this week and will install at no charge. I was very calm and friendly with the customer consumer relation person and this may have helped me. good luck to all that try.
Thank you sooo much! This worked for me as well! Unfortunately I got too excited to try this without reading the comments below..could have saved myself sometime with unscrewing the whole Microwave, regardless, you rock! Saved me $ and hassle! Thanks again!
Yeah, I just haven't cared to update the video as we got rid of this microwave. But for anyone reading, don't follow this video!!!! Read the comments first to figure out the simple and quick solution to fix this issue. YOU DO NEED TO UNINSTALL THE MICROWAVE TO FIX THIS ISSUE!!!!!!
#1 you do not need to remove your microwave to attempt this fix. #2 GE has finally recognized that this is an issue and will issue a replacement microwave if you've purchased the unit within the past 5 years. Call GE at 1-866-898-7465 option 6.
No prob. Hope you read one of the reviews showing how to do this without un mounting the microwave. If u didn't, find the review so u know moving forward. It will probably happen again at some point down the road.
I did what you said and it did not work, I disconnected this thermo sensor along with the other next to it with two blue wires and that did the trick. Thanks, and if it does not hold I will be calling GE like the ladies above.
The first time it worked for a year and half or so.... The second time (which is when I made this video) it only lasted for 5 Months! Funny you commented on this now, because our microwave/touchpad just stopped working again. I should have tried to glue or secure the connection in, as I'm sure it has just been moved out of place from operating the unit; which seems to be the main problem. I wish I had a better answer and results for you.
Great directions..but will call on Monday as Lisa suggests... bought/installed it late 2009 or early 2010... only two "elderly" adults use it! and certainly refuse to pay $700.00 for service!
I too have the same problem with this microwave and as someone posted earlier, it's connected to heat generated from the stove. It stays in demo mode now and is basically a brick sitting over my stove. However, when I'm cooking, the panel shorts out and beeps every thirty seconds or so. Nothing on the panel stops it and the only way to stop it is to cut the circuit breaker. The problem with that is my bathroom is on the same circuit. It's hit or miss how long before we can turn the breaker back on so that the beeping stops. I called GE and they will not replace the unit, they proudly say they will discount the service call and maybe the repairs. I did get them to send a replacement panel. Meantime, I'm checking out this video on how to replace the panel that is coming and I notice someone posting a phone number claiming they will replace the unit. I called it again and got the same response. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE UNIT. I will be sure to post negative comments wherever I can to warn others to stay away from GE, particularly, this unit.
Lisa: Thanks! GE replaced my microwave with the defective touch pad. Interesting that the user's manual for the replacement says that the cooling fan comes on automatically if the microwave gets too hot (even if not being used).
Called the number today that Lisa kindly posted and spoke with Brent. He said he will get back to me by Wednesday due to systems down and can not verify if my model with touch pad malfunction qualifies for anything! I will follow up post when he gets back to me. fingers crossed!!
The handle on my GE café stainless seems to be pulling apart at the seam . I'm not sure if it might be a protective plastic or the stainless itself , I don't want to start pulling it apart . Anyone have this problem ?
Our GE Cafe microwave worked fine for 5 1/2 years. Suddenly, the touch pad quit working. We did as suggested in the video and it worked a few times after that, then stopped working. GE will sell us a different model for $505. I don't understand why I would want to pay $500 when I can buy a different brand cheaper? I'm done with GE since they won't stand behind their product with a known defect.
Leave OTR Microwave installed. Unplug the power cord. Remove 2 screws from fan guard and slide off. Remove screw at top of the touch panel and lift up on the entire touch panel about ¼ to ½ inch. Take a picture of cables for reminder. Unplug all the cables that connect the touch panel to the microwave. Remove the green ground cable by removing the screw. Gently remove and reseat three ribbon cables. Reinstall. Fan vibration causes the problem. You just saved $700.00.
."I checked the oven, as it’s still here.........manufactured in May of 2009...we had some health issues, they have been very nice and held off coming to replace it..and I am actually going to pay the upgrade fee to the convection/micro..some $280.00 plus/minus, if memory serves me correctly.. who knows, it just might be the “series” that mine was manufactured in.. if that makes sense... as to shy it “went”, but they said it can get heated up and fail.. Cheers! Dale
The control panel on my GE Cafe Microwave (Installed in May 2011, manufactured in Nov. 2010) has died at least 5 times. seems to be connected to heat from cooking. I could revive it by running vent and blowing air from a fan on the underside of the control panel. I Also run the vent (which is noisy and annoying) while cooking and can't use largest burner. This is ridiculous for such an expensive machine. 3 weeks ago I used the oven at 350 for 45 mins. but did not think to run the vent. Now the control panel is DEAD. Repairman said would cost $651 to fix with a new control panel - he also said that heat and steam destroy the glue that holds the panel in place - so you always have to run the vent. Before I get this thing fixed I want to find out if anyone else has had this problem. It's unbelievable. I will also call the 866# that Dan kindly posted. Thank you for any tips.
I have the same problem and just got off the phone with GE customer relations and no luck. She checked, but did not find any program to cover this for an exchange. She said I needed to have a service call and maybe they could discount the part. I told her that the part would just go out again. Any ideas?
meant to mention, ours lights up, but "touch" does not work.. tried unplugging it, to reset, didn't help...sorry to say, per manual instructions. Any other suggestions?
But to be truthful w/ you, had I not seen Lisa's post, we would have tried your method!... well, maybe after trying the one below that doesn't require the unit to be removed!
I tried this fix, unfortunately it did not resolve my issue. Control panel is still unresponsive. I think the control panel is kaupt and needs replacing.
I too have the GE Cafe microwave control panel issue. I followed the instructions from the video (twice actually) but it still doesn't work. When it first broke the panel lit up, as well as the inside of the microwave, but the touchpad would't do anything. Now, after taking it apart and "trying" to fix the problem, I'm not getting anything at all, not even lights. Extremely frustrated as I'm sure you all were. Any other advice you can give me?
Tracy, someone gave an incredibly helpful hint on an easier way to take the panel off without having to uninstall the microwave. Look through the comments and you'll find the instructions. Give it another shot and I bet it will work. The other option is to call ge customer care (number also provided by a user in their comment) and complain aggressively. They'll probably send u a new one for free. That's what I did because this issue kept happening every few Months.
Andrew Bradford Thanks for your quick reply and advice. Going to read all other responses to find the one you are referring to and give it another shot. Concerned that GE won't be too cooperative with me as our microwave is over 5 years old. I'll post the outcome in the event it can help others. Thanks again!
Yeah, I don't understand the theory here. You disconnected and reconnected the over heat thermostat. I would need to look at the schematic, but usually the overheat TCO throws power to the fan. If you had a bad enough connection at the TCO that might create a load in series, but that would be a really bad connection with char marks on it.
I have no idea. I was just playing w/ the connections after it stopped working... and then it worked again. I used the same principles I do for first-step trouble shooting on guitar rigs. Check connections, unplug and plug back in. I’m sure you can provide more insight as to why and how to fix than I can.
Not really sure why it worked for me. It just worked... If you find a better way, I'm sure everyone reading/watching this post would greatly appreciate it.
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F_94SxrVXU4.html has a video with step by step instructions on how to repair a similar Cafe model. It shows how to remove the touch panel with the Over the Range (OTR) Microwave still installed (as described in my previous post).
I'm not sure I understand your question. Just take out the plug for a bit and plug it back in. Or, call GE like Others did and get yourself a free new microwave. The replacement isn't a cafe series, but it matches good enough.
Andrew Bradford The replacement you get is a GE Café™ Series over-the-range microwave oven CVM1790SSSS. It's ugly but it is technically part of the Cafe series.
Do not replace control panel or control board. Just simply use your hot air blower and heat in front of touch key for one or two minut. do not heat display only key number. your touch key problem will go away
