How to Install a New Door Switch in a Whirlpool Microwave

Are you dealing with a Whirlpool microwave model YWMH31017AS that won’t turn on? If you are, a faulty door switch is a likely culprit. When you close the microwave door, the door switch is activated, meaning it relays a signal which starts up a variety of components in your appliance. On the other hand, opening the microwave door causes the appliance to turn off. A defective switch does not send out a signal, which means your microwave won’t turn on. To fix the malfunction, you’ll need to install a new door switch.

How to Install a New Door Switch in Your Whirlpool Microwave

As with any repair, unplug your appliance before you get started. Wearing work gloves and safety goggles will keep your hands and eyes protected while you’re fixing your microwave.

Begin your repair by removing the grill from above your microwave door. To take the grill off your appliance, you’ll need to loosen the screws holding it in place.
Pull open the microwave door, and unthread the screws on the top of the control panel. Slide the control panel up and lift it off the frame of the microwave. Before disconnecting the wires running to the control panel, take a picture that you can refer to during reassembly. Once your picture is taken, disconnect all wires from the panel, including the grounding wire, which is secured with a screw and washer.
Take out the screws holding the control panel housing, which was revealed once the control panel was detached from the microwave. Unclip the wires from the side of the housing and pull the housing out of the microwave.
You now have access to the door switch housing. Remove the screw holding the housing to the microwave frame and push in the cam plate with a flat head screwdriver. Lift the door switch housing up and out of your microwave. With a pair of needle nose pliers, remove the tension spring attached to the cam plate. Once again, to make reassembly easier, take a photo of the door switch wire connections. Disconnect the wires from the switch and pull the switch out of its housing.
Start installing the new door switch by connecting the wires to their proper terminals. If you’re not sure which wire goes where look at the photo you took. Then, Place the door switch into the switch housing and reattach the tension spring to the cam plate. Align the housing with the front panel and secure it with a screw.
Clip the wires to the control panel housing and reattach the housing to the microwave. Grab the control panel and reconnect all the wires. Push the control panel onto the microwave and secure it with mounting screws. Replace the grill and secure it with the screws you took out earlier.
Now that you’re finished installing the new door switch, plug-in your microwave and test out your handy work.

If you have more questions about your appliance, please contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained repair technicians.

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