The fan comes on randomly.

Pressing the Clear/Pause button works. Sometimes. Most of the time, about a microsecond after pressing Clear/Pause, it goes right back to def1. Most of the time, pressing ANY button doesn't work. Usually takes me 10 to 20 tries to get anything to work. My microwave is about 3 months old. I will never buy Emerson again.

its 13 years old it will probably be cheaper to replace it than have it repaired

This problem is caused by a microswitch that is sticking in the closed position. Inspect and replace the defective microswitch in the latch assembly.

my microwave shuts off after a few seconds. is there a fuse that needs replacing?

Contact the manufacturer (Goldstar) about that--it sounds like your microwave definitely needs to be repaired, especially since you've already tried unplugging it (which is the first thing a technician would suggest that you try). Usually, the manufacturer can tell you how to get your microwave repaired or replaced, and if it's still under warranty, the repair/replacement may even be free!

Goldstar's phone number (according to their website, www.goldstarappliances.com ) is (800) 243-0000


Good luck! :)

My Kenmore microwave oven fan has been turning on and off, almost every hour. Sometimes 3 or 4 times in one hour. It's very random. Model No. 721-80593401 Serial No.503TA03208
Please help!!!

The fan will come on if you are cooking below and the area gets hot.... is this when it happens? Sometimes random beep could be a power blip... not long enough for a reset of all things electrical

Q - My microwave seems to shut off every once in a while, what might be wrong?
A - Make sure you hear the fan is still operating in your microwave. Next is to make sure the air intake grill on your microwave is not plugged up with air borne dust and dirt.
Q - The fan in my microwave oven is not running will this hurt my microwave?
A - YES, the fan cools the magnetron and electronics, take the microwave in for service, most fans are not too expensive to replace.
Q - My microwave blows the fuse inside itself as soon as I push the start button.
A - Usually a shorted high voltage capacitor...see components section.

If the internal cooling fan does not come on when you're microwaving, the magnetron will overheat and the thermal cutout will be tripped, causing the oven to go dead until it cools back down.

If this happens more than a few times, the magnetron can be damaged.

If the turntable is not turning (assuming it's not set to be off) when you're microwaving, then the problem lies on the relay circuit board (sub PC).

If the turntable is wokring and the fan is not, then the fan motor or wiring is at fault.

At this point, with such odd problems, I recommend that you contact GE customer service for your nearest GE-authorized service center

GE Customer Service is here.

Good luck..

First of all, it Roper may honor the warranty even though you're not the original owner. I'd contact them first: http://www.roperappliances.com/support/

If they won't cover it, here are some tips:

A microwave can be dead for many reasons.

If it goes dead for a while during or after cooking then comes back on, the magnetron is probably overheating and causing the thermostat to open. When it cools, it closes the circuit and allows power through again.

If it's random, it may be a bad connection, usually on the control board or fuse holder.

If it went dead almost immediately after pressing the Start pad, that's usually a shorted high-voltage capacitor.

If it went dead a few seconds after pressing the Start pad, that's usually a failing high-voltage transformer.

If the fuse is good, it may be an open thermostat or thermal cutout on or near the magnetron or on top of the cavity / body of the oven.

This last issue is what I suspect in your case.

If you or a friend decide to look into it, we have critical safety information and disassembly information at our site, linked here on Fixya: http://tinyurl.com/yzjozk

You can usually find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts by entering your full model number here: http://tinyurl.com/gv383

We appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.