Some of buttons on microwave touchpad not working?

I removed the touchpad's electronic board from the frame which required separating its acetate connections ribbon from its slot. I then removed the plastic frame it attached to but still no contacts were visible. So I began to pry the face of the touchpad off of its backing, but realized it was made to not be separated, so I quit that and just reassembled everything.
Surprisingly, without having done any cleaning, it worked like new.
My guess is that the ribbon connecting everything was somehow positioned incorrectly but after reinserting it into its slot, correct contact may have be achieved.

arnash
January 2018

It worked it's a miracle. Peeled back panel cleaned it dried it with hairdryer and presto it works. Thank you so very much.

C. J. George
August 2017

can somebody help me on my GE microwave touchpad too... the clock setting and some number are not working I unplugged then switched but the same, not working ... any remedy for that pls?? thanks

Marylou
August 2017

I tried the hair dryer and it worked. I am so happy. I thought I needed to throw it out and buy a new one. Love this solution!

Judy Green
January 2017

Have a cheap Magic Chef that was the only one I could find that fits into our small cabinet. The keypad quit working one key at a time. The alcohol, warm sponge and hairdryer failed so I used the hairdryer to warm it up. I then used a window razor to gently lift the keypad off the face of the microwave. Its glued on with a half inch strip around the keypad. The pad was bowed to the inside so I bowed it to the outside while holding each end. I placed it back onto the microwave and whahla! All buttons worked.

Eureka
August 2016

I have since figured out a non expensive solution to damaged touchpads. Everyone in my community comes to me when they have problems with touchpads. You may call me on +27730756730.

Simeon Kasawala
June 2016

Holy cow! The hair dryer totally worked. I was just online looking for a new microwave. Awesome! Problem solved:)

Porgal
January 2016

I was looking for a new microwave as my Panasonic was giving keypad problems when stumbled on this site. I did not want to remove the pad and clean the connectors. So, just I cleaned the keypad with warm water wipe and used hair drier as someone recommended. Microwave now work!! I can't believe it was so simple.

Narinder
November 2014

Ditto Michael's fix and the small flat blade in the pinned torx heads. Have the same model as Mike.

Bill
October 2014

I had a perfectly good Panasonic Inverter Microwave and the start button on the keypad would not work (as if it was stuck). Use tip about hairdryer and worked like magic, thanks

Tom
April 2014

I have done it, in the process to clean the strip I accidently damaged those lines on strip by cleaning it again... its clear that the strip's some paths are damaged... and so don't makes proper connection with the panel... please help me what to do... before only 3, 4 buttons were not working but now only 3 buttons are working..

Vaqar Nasim
February 2014

I noticed that the number buttons did not work in the morning, when the house was colder due to turning the heat down overnight. Once the house warmed up over the course of the day, they would work. This morning, when they were not working, I applied a sponge soaked with hot water to the touchpad a couple of times, and they worked!

Elsie
November 2013

I went through all sorts of contortions and it turns out, all I had to do was peal off the keypad sticker like covering and clean the thing it stuck to with alcohol. Put the sticker back on and it worked.

Annette
September 2012

I just took off the whole control panel and found that the "strip connector" that connects the touch panel to the control board had a bunch of gunk built up right at the spot where the connector plugs in.

I took some alcohol wipes and rubbed them down gently until the black stuff was gone from the contacts and the strip itself (I don't know if black junk on the strip had anything to do with it as I am assuming that the actual wire is inside the plastic strip) but, I cleaned that anyways. One note....the connector that is on the end of the plastic strip is a little touchy and comes right off of the end piece. Very easy to get back in..just push the strip back in and then seat the connector into place.

I put it all back together and it works like a charm. My bride was all set to buy a whole new microwave as none of the buttons did anything. They do now!

Roger Anderson
August 2012

Heat the keypad with a hair dryer.

caravaner
June 2012

Sharp R301. 2002 production year.
Removed, cover, front display/keypad, disconnted all wiring, removed circuit board from front cover.
Note bottom screws are special philips with pin -use a small blade screwdriver to remove, if you do not have special tool. Inspected circuit board - digital camera works great for inspecting bad joints or cracks - noted no defects. Reinstalled all components, Keypad works as before.

Herr Voss
December 2011

Yes, My #1,4,7 wouldn't work. removed the punch pad section, and upper circuit board behind the display screen, and voila! the rubber strip with the carbon looking center line was there, cleaned all with alcohol.
it now works like new!
lately the keypad wouldn't work like it should.

Sharp R-209B

Allan
October 2011

I thought I'd give this a go. I was surprised. all I did was remove all the connecting wires around the keypad and clean them with Iisopropyl. one in particular was rather oxidized. I couldn't clean the contacts of the key pad as the unit itself could not be taken apart. to my surprise just doing this worked. saved us from purchasing a new Microwave. Thanks for the info =)

Carl
June 2011

Michael,

Your post really helps a lot on the repair of my 2002 Sharp Carousel R-404F (1000 Watts). The keypad is connected to the circuit board via narrow strip connector. In between the narrow strip connector and the circuit board, there is a white (rubber like) narrow rectangular connector (which is pressed down when you screw the circuit board in place). I use rubbing alcohol to clean the narrow strip connector and the rubber like connector. Now my digits 2, 6, 0 are back to live. Thanks.
the the the connector

T.Y. Tam
December 2010

use isopropyl alcohol to clean touch pad

mini
June 2010

THE GE TOUCHPAD ON THE microwave seems to be in some mode that I cannot reset. I unplugged it and tried many things. The indicator says, START but it won't let me

cindy
November 2009

This is deceptively simple - but it works. Simply use a warm/hot damp cloth and wipe over the buttons a few times. Woks for me every time!

Simon Hall
July 2009

I just repaired a Sharp Carousel model R-209KK microwave oven with similar problems. It was very easy to fix.

I disconnected power and removed the top of the microwave oven. I loosened the touch panel (one screw was holding it on the inside - yours may be different). Several wires were running to a circuit board on the touch panel: I loosened only one wire (a green ground wire) - just enough so I could manipulate the touch panel.

The touch panel had two parts: a circuit board screwed to the back of the panel with 2 screws and the touchscreen itself built into the panel. I loosened the two screws and the panel (with touchscreen) came completely free of the circuit board.

I could now see what connects the circuit board and the touchscreen - a very fine and narrow strip connector. If you look at it with a magnifying glass you will see that it is a connector of some sort: it presses into a corresponding connector on the circuit board. This proved to be where my problem lay: the connection (which relies on pressure and position) had worn loose or dirty over the years possibly due to relentless pressing and punching of the panel buttons and the door opening button.

I did find a small smudge of material on the connector and removed it with my fingernail. I replaced the circuit board, being careful to position it properly, and tightened the screws. I reconnected the green ground wire and tested the unit. It worked!

I suspect that in time this connection shrinks or is jarred, or comes loose and the alignment is lost. Then the very fine connections in it fail randomly leading to unpredictable touchscreen behavior. The solution is to take it apart, check for dirt and put it together again being certain that it is aligned and tight (all done by ensuring the two screws are tight).

Michael Kersey
August 2008