My Whirlpool microwave hood combination was installed when I bought my home. I can hear the exhaust fan run when I turn it on but it does not pull any smoke, steam or odors from the stove top. I can put somethng directly under the fan vent with no luck. Perhaps it was installed incorrectly.

The model number 721.80032 is a partial model number; it indicates the build series. I found the Kenmore microwave, 721.80032700. The final 3 digits indicate the panel color and similar details.

Assuming the microwave was installed properly, it should work as a hood fan. Press the touch pad with the fan icon (underneath it says Hi/Low/Off) to get the desired fan speed. The icon is on the lower left of the control panel; it's below the Cook Time button and to the left of the Light button.

The manual for the 721.80032700 is available here: https://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/user-manuals/72180032700-kenmore-parts-manual?manualIndex=0 . The direct link to the Owner's Manual is https://c.searspartsdirect.com/mmh/pd_download/lis_pdf/OWNM/L0710653.pdf . See pages 9 and 14 for using the exhaust fan.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Jean, there's little information in your query, so I'll have to guess...

Many "microwave hood" combinations can be used as "recirculating" or as actual exhaust. It sounds like yours is set to recirculate. I don't know what make/model you have, but you might look in the documentation that came with it for how to switch it over.

see if the place you bought it wants it returned for refund and you might get some assistance.

That's typically normal operation. The microwave has a thermostat which turns on the hood vent exhaust fan at a certain temperature to protect the controller.

Your owner's manual will cover vent fan operation.

If for some reason you don't have yours, you can download Whirlpool owner's manuals and installation instructions here.

I always recommend that you use the vent fan whenever you're cooking on the stove top to keep heat, steam, and grease out of the controls and door panels.

If - above and beyond this - the fan has a problem, that could make it excessively loud. Some are just loud though, it's hard to judge without actually hearing it.

You can contact Whirlpool customer service with your model number via that link above and ask them about the loudness. They may be able to tell by listening over the phone if it's abnormally loud.

We're happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

The inspector is correct, air should be coming through the top louvers, although you sometimes will have a little air coming from the sides and back. Drop the microwave and see which way the blower is rotated, towards the louvers or towards the back or top. Some units also have a panel that blocks the venting from going the wrong way. Good Luck, Appliance Specialists

The issue is that the fan on that unit is a reconfigurable fan. If there is a vent, you install the fan one way, if there is no vent pipe to the outside, you install the fan another way. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/294916/Maytag-Mmv4205.html?page=9#manual

This light failure often occurs when a bulb goes out and the filament shorts, or when the bulbs are removed or installed without first unplugging the oven from the power line. Either can cause such a failure on the controller.

This can often also affect the exhaust fan operation, too. The lights and fan can be inoperable or stuck on too.

Details of our service and critical safety information and disassembly information is at our site, linked here on Fixya:
http://tinyurl.com/yzjozk

Do you feel air flow? That's the key.

Most microwaves have the exhaust fan assembly at the back edge, not up front immediately behind the grille / vent.

Post back if you can give us more detail or have other questions.

check the control unit and high voltage circuit, and megnetron, high voltage diodes, wiring and high voltage fuse etc.,

Do you hear the exhaust fan running? If so, then the grease filter may be clogged, or the exahust ducts from the oven to the outdoors may be blocked. Sometimes there will be an animal nest inside the duct near the outside wall. If the fan is not running, you may have a problem with the exhaust fan or with the control circuit board, which we repair for $39.95 nationwide. If you or a friend decide to work on it, we have *critical* safety, disassembly, and troubleshooting info at our site, which is linked at our listing here on FixYa: http://tinyurl.com/yzjozk If you still have questions, please feel free to follow up here or by e-mail. We appreciate your thoughtful ratings to our reply.