Whirlpool Microwave Door Won’t Open and Turntable Not Turning Issues

The Whirlpool microwave is a popular brand of home appliances and is well known for its performance and reliability. They can keep working at a high standard for a number of years, especially when well maintained.

Like every other electrical appliance however, Whirlpools microwaves can experience some faults and problems over time. The most common of these issues seem to be with doors not opening and/or turntables not turning.

These problems can be caused by a variety of factors, including faulty door switches, damaged turntable motors, or misaligned hinges. If you’re experiencing these issues with your Whirlpool microwave, it’s important to diagnose the root cause and take the necessary steps to repair or replace the affected component.

In this blog we are going to investigate these issues further and supply you with some ideas to solve these issues with your Whirlpool microwave door not opening, or the turntable not turning. Hopefully with our advice, you won’t necessarily need to rush out and spend money on a new microwave.

First point of note, take the time to check the warranty of your Whirlpool microwave. If it is still within the allotted period of time, then you can contact Whirlpool and get them to arrange a repair or replacement free of charge! However, if that is not the case, then read on for our helpful tips…..

Issues with door not opening

A common issue that occurs over time with Whirlpool microwaves is that the door won’t open. This can be caused by several factors such as the following:

1. Faulty door switch: A door switch is responsible for detecting when the door is closed and starting the microwave. If this switch is faulty, it can prevent the door from opening.
2. Damaged hinges: Hinges hold the door in place and allow it to open and close smoothly. If the hinges are damaged, the door may not open easily or may become stuck.
3. Obstruction in the latch mechanism: The latch mechanism is responsible for keeping the door closed during operation. If there is an obstruction in this mechanism, it can prevent the door from opening.

Symptoms of a door not opening can include:

1. The microwave runs but the door won’t open.
2. The door is stuck and won’t budge, even when the microwave is unplugged.
3. The door opens with difficulty or feels loose.

Troubleshooting tips for resolving door not opening issues include:

1. Check the door switch: Locate the door switch and test it for continuity using a multimeter. If the switch is faulty, replace it.
2. Inspect the hinges: Check the hinges for any signs of damage, such as cracks or rust. If they are damaged, they will need to be replaced.
3. Clear any obstructions: Inspect the latch mechanism for any foreign objects that may be preventing the door from opening. Remove any obstructions to see if this fixes the issue.

If the above troubleshooting tips do not resolve the issue, it is recommended to contact a professional repair service.

Turntable not working issues

The second common issue experienced by Whirlpool microwaves after a long period of use is that the turntable eventually runs into the problem of no longer turning properly to rotate food. This mainly results in your food not heating correctly, or being heated unevenly throughout. This can be caused by several factors, read on while we list them for you:

1. Faulty turntable motor: The turntable motor is responsible for rotating the glass plate. If this motor is faulty, the turntable will not turn.
2. Obstruction on the turntable: If there is an object blocking the turntable from rotating, it will not turn properly.
3. Broken coupler or drive shaft: The coupler is responsible for connecting the turntable motor to the glass plate. If the coupler or drive shaft is broken, the turntable will not turn.

Symptoms of a turntable not turning can include:

1. The turntable does not rotate during cooking.
2. The turntable rotates erratically or unevenly.
3. The turntable makes a loud, grinding noise during operation.

Troubleshooting tips for resolving turntable not turning issues include:

1. Check for obstructions: Remove any objects that may be blocking the turntable from rotating.
2. Inspect the coupler and drive shaft: Check for any signs of damage to the coupler or drive shaft, such as cracks or broken pieces.
3. Test the turntable motor: Unplug the microwave and use a multimeter to test the turntable motor for continuity. If the motor is faulty, it will need to be replaced.

If the above troubleshooting tips do not resolve the issue, it is recommended to contact a professional repair service. You can find a local appliance repair company online, or you can contact Whirlpool customer service directly and they will be happy to assist you.

How to fix these issues

To resolve the most common issues of a Whirlpool microwave door not opening and turntable not turning, you can perform the following repairs:

Replacing the door latch:

1. Turn off the power to the microwave.
2. Remove the outer case by removing screws from the back or side of the microwave.
3. Locate the door latch mechanism and inspect it for any damage or wear.
4. If the latch is damaged, remove it by unscrewing it from the door.
5. Install a new door latch in its place, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Reattach the outer case and turn the power back on to the microwave.

Replacing the turntable motor:

1. Turn off the power to the microwave.
2. Remove the outer case by removing screws from the back or side of the microwave.
3. Locate the turntable motor and remove it by unplugging it and unscrewing it from the base of the microwave.
4. Install a new turntable motor, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Reattach the outer case and turn the power back on to the microwave.

Note: These repairs may require specialized tools and technical knowledge, and it is recommended to consult an appliance repair professional if you’re unsure of how to perform these repairs safely and properly.

It is also important to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions when performing any repairs on your microwave.

Conclusion

In summary, the most common issues with Whirlpool microwaves usually include doors not opening and turntables not turning. To resolve these issues, you can try replacing the door latch or the turntable motor. However, these repairs may require specialized tools and technical knowledge, so it is recommended to consult an appliance repair professional if you’re unsure of how to perform them safely and properly.

Before seeking professional help, it is encouraged to try the troubleshooting tips provided, such as checking for obstructions or testing the door switch or turntable motor. If these tips do not resolve the issue, there are several resources available for further assistance:

1. Contact Whirlpool customer service for support and information on repairing your microwave.
2. Find a local repair service by searching online or in the phone directory for appliance repair services in your area.

It is important to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions when troubleshooting or repairing your microwave.

Last but not least, as we said earlier, don’t forget to check your warranty!