Keypad stops working periodically, some keys work and some don't

The control board probably has failed.

see this causes and fix it. God bless you
If you have a stuck key or non-responsive key, most of the time you will have to replace the keypad for this microwave oven repair. If your keypad is connected to your control board by a flat ribbon wire, try disconnecting it and clean the silver contacts with an ordinary pencil eraser. After cleaning, plug it back in and try it. If it doesn't fix it, replace the keypad unit. Some units actually have keypad tests to confirm your diagnosis of a bad key.If your keypad and control is the same unit, replace that unit. Another note, unlike stove/oven keypads and controls, most microwaves do not have error codes or tests to distinguish whether it is truely the keypad or control. Most of the time, it is the keypad that needs replacing, but a small percentage of the time it can be the control. Check the tech sheet if they can point you to the right part.

see the next steps: USE THE commons sense . God bless you
Lights come on, but can not program unit, Touchpad dead If you have a stuck key or non-responsive key, most of the time you will have to replace the keypad for this microwave oven repair. If your keypad is connected to your control board by a flat ribbon wire, try disconnecting it and clean the silver contacts with an ordinary pencil eraser. After cleaning, plug it back in and try it. If it doesn't fix it, replace the keypad unit. Some units actually have keypad tests to confirm your diagnosis of a bad key.
If your keypad and control is the same unit, replace that unit. Another note, unlike stove/oven keypads and controls, most microwaves do not have error codes or tests to distinguish whether it is truely the keypad or control. Most of the time, it is the keypad that needs replacing, but a small percentage of the time it can be the control. Check the tech sheet if they can point you to the right part.

Yes! the whole keypad control board will need to be replaced.

Yes you can use a hair dryer but the power should be off so that you don't short it out any more than it already is. Most likely the keypad has been ruined and will need replaced., Once these go bad there is no fix except to replace the keypad.

I will never buy another GE product because of this microwave they should have been recalled

First check all door switches are properly working. If they are ok , the defect may be in the key pad. You need to replace the key pad.

Obtain a replacment keypad and replace it. The non serviceable contacts inside of the key pad or going bad.

This answer assumes that the new keypad is the right one and that it is plugged in correctly.

F3 is normally a bad keypad, but it may be debris or residue on the circuit board in the area that the keypad plugs into, or there may be some corrosion on the connections of the keypad connector.

Look for whitish or dark green deposits on the circuit board. These may be mineral deposits or tarnished copper due to moisture.

These are most common if one cooks on the stove top without turning on the hood vent exhaust fan.

Feel free to post a good close up photo or two of any area you suspect.

Feel free to contact me directly for more information & help.

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William E. Miller
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http://www.microwavedisplay.com

It sound like you have a bad keypad or controls.

Is it possible that moisture from the sponge is getting into the controls?

You might contact the manufacturer to see if there might be a recall. I've seen keypad recalls in the past.

Anytime the keypad is suspected of coming on by itself, the oven should be unplugged when not in use.

We're happy to help and we appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.