Microwave shows F3

Yeah, I think you're right, sounds like a shorted touchpad to me. Can you fix it? I don't know. You will have to disconnect and re-connect quite a few cables and connectors from the control panel. If you've never done that kind of work before, then I would not recommend that you try; it would be all too easy to damage something (like pulling a wire out of a connector, or inserting it wrong.

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Hi

F3 error in your GE microwave means that the keypad/touchpad is bad and should be replaced. However, before replacing it you can follow these step by step instructions to clean the touchpad assembly and see if it works:

1) Unplug microwave
2) Remove two small screws from upper face plate
3) Remove screw on upper side of control panel
4) Life panel and pull out
5) Identify flat tape-like harness connecting circuit card to keypad
6) Wipe down harness with an all-purpose wipe
7) Use hairdryer to dry remaining leftover moisture

8) After this put the keypad back if its not solved then replace it.

Hope this helps...please post back for further assistance.

Daniel

I am sorry but this is usually the signs your touchpad is going out and the part alone retails for a lil over $300.00. You know your needs better than anyone but in my home we would just keep dealing with it untill it drove us crazy, or quit being usable. Basically the buttons you press are worn and making contact without being pressed.

F3 is a shorted key you need a new keypad control panel. For the JE2160 series countertop model this should be the part#WB27X10681

Is it difficult to change a touch pad on my ge profile eterna spacemaker microwave. F3 Error, Bought it new in 2006. Touchpad Part No# WB07X10959 Twinsinger asked.

possibly a stuck button which would mean a replacement pad, do the buttons bleep when you push them do some work and others dont its quite common normally its the start button or the cancel which goes(due to constant pushing) and it causes the error alternatively its a possible logic board fault which is far more expensive to replace!

f3 problem

Yes this is a touchpad issue. As you have noted the crisp button is stuck and this is the cause of this. You can try removing the keypad and push up the pressed button. If its jammed then replacing it is the only way.

I had the same problem. I removed the grill and opened the control panel as I read an answer from "GENE" on APP (Appliance Pros) that this indicated a short in the circuit board (TouchPad). I was going to replace the faulty circuit board but when I opened the control panel there it was......One wire harness had just came unplugged!! I plugged it in, reassembled and the microwave works again!

Mike
Tampa, FL

F3 occurs if the controller detects a key shorted for more than 60 seconds. Luckily, on this model, the "keypanel" as it's called is available as a separate part. If you or a friend decide to work on it, we have *critical* safety & disassembly info at our site, which is linked at our listing here on FixYa: http://tinyurl.com/yzjozk You can find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts by entering the model number here: http://tinyurl.com/gv383 The "keypanel" is shown as reference number 44 on that exploded view.