How to fix Open / Close door error on microwave

My Whirlpool Microwave was having problems where when we would try to cook something an error said Open/Close Door and it would not start or cook anything. We realized that the sensor that detects an open door wad dirty and needed to be cleaned to allow the sensor to work properly and allow the microwave to function. This is easy to fix with some warm water and a paper towel!

[@harrymoto6951]

You, sir, are a GENIUS, sir! Those 'sensors' look like tabs bent over to hold the thing together, but our microwave had exactly that same error so I tried your procedure... Now we're nuking dinner instead of shopping for a new over the counter microwave/convection oven! $$$ Bravo, sir, bravo!

[@johngault7013]

If you were close enough, I’d buy you a beer. Thanks for your help. Additional note: Our model has the controls across the bottom rather than on the right side. Worked for us as well.

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Glad to help

[@rjcolombe]

The funny thing is that everyone thinks those are contacts at the bottom of the door. They're just tabs holding the stainless steel face on the microwave door 😂

[@cericson3426]

Oh come on you didn't know what those tabs were till you watched this video did you😊

[@Silmaga811]

Eventually it did work. Initially, I just wiped along the edges with a wet paper towel with no success. Then, I used my finger nail on each little contact. That seems to have done the trick! Thank you for saving me a repair bill.

[@aurumoro]

This problem was driving me CRAZY for months! Thank you so much for posting this!

[@lisarockwell5404]

Thank you!!! I picked up my laptop to search prices for a new microwave and saw your video. I just saved $500+ because of you!! Thank you so much!!!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

No problem! So glad it helped!

[@jeweliereedy5224]

You are a genius! We hired a repair man 2 months ago for this, he fixed it for $135. The microwave started doing this again a couple days ago and I just found your video!!! 😭😭

[@seankennealy7572]

Thank you for this. I wanted to wait a few weeks before commenting. It's been about three weeks since I watched and cleaned the bottom of the door and the inside casing. It has not given me one problem. Thank you!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

No problem! Thanks for watching! Please subscribe.

[@TB-qy1sk]

This happened 2 yrs ago and I'm too embarrassed to tell you how much I was charged to for the "repair." Error showed again today and I saw your video. Thank you!!!!

[@bert5959ify]

Thanks for the info. I’ve been repairing appliances for years. I was ready to order a door switch. Then I ran across your video. You made me look like a hero with the wife. 👍👍

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Awesome! I'm so glad it helped!

[@nevenjerolimov7017]

You're The Man. I just tried it after watching the video and it started right up.

[@philipgiunta5533]

Simply Excellent! The last time I took apart the contacts reseated them, then cleaned the outside where you suggested and it worked thinking it was the contacts in side. Ha! Your solution saved me 30 min tomorrow that most likely wouldn't have worked.

[@mooo6747]

Thank you! When I googled "Whirlpool door error," this was the first video to pop up and I happen to have the exact same model microwave. Super convenient! Mine required two cleanings but it did the trick!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Glad it helped!

[@gracef3693]

You’re a life safer - I was thinking I’d have to replace our over the range microwave. However, just cleaning the contacts as you suggest worked like a charm. I’m so grateful you took the time to make this video.

[@brolsonmusic]

those are NOT contacts. They are metal tabs for the front metal cover. Nothing to do with your problem.. It's a faulty light bulb or door switch. Very common.

[@samanthabentley3649]

My GE microwave from 2005 finally crapped out. At first kzbin.infoUgkxO_Bc204MGjxDl87cOKcdgaRhzSqGmv_g I was unsure because I was looking for something with the exact same features. Found it with this one. Interior space cavity was large, but the outside was smaller than my old one. I love the one-button push for 1-6 minutes, and the 30 second add or 30 second start. and MOST IMPORTANTLY, I love how you can adjust the power level during cooking. The reviews said it could not be done, but this marked all the other boxes. and happy to say, it does. I can hit 1 minute start, and change the power level from 10 to 5, 30 seconds in, without interruption. my favorite feature!

[@christinemaloney4733]

Thank you! I was worried I was going to have to buy a new microwave, but this trick fixed it!

[@RWPTS13]

You are the best for uploading this and helping everyone!! This happened to me this morning and I was so confused.

[@my3sonsnh]

I've been occasionally struggling with the same issue for months. When the microwave is not used for a while, it works fine. It tends to happen when the microwave was recently used (heated), the worst possible time. The "fix" seems too easy to be true but I'm going to give it a try. Thank you very much for creating and sharing this video as you may have saved me from replacing the unit.

[@carolprince6999]

Thanks you just stopped my anxiety, my microwave would not start, i used a q tip to clean it and now it works

[@patrickmalak7648]

Thank you so much! That worked perfectly! My wife is now in a much better mood. Happy wife, Happy life!

[@screaminmimi6820]

Oh my gosh thank you. Why doesn't Whirlpool offer this instead of saying you need to call for repair. You are my hero of the month!!

[@perezstrategicinsights]

You're a genius! I got this error message -- "On Plate - Open/Close Door." It did the trick when I gently cleaned the electrical contacts and horizontal boarder. Really appreciated!

[@TheHaratashi]

It's border not boarder. A boarder is like someone who rents a room from you.

[@perezstrategicinsights]

@@TheHaratashi LoL. Thank you for the English lesson.

[@BlkTigress35]

Thanks for making this video couldn’t figure out why my microwave wasn’t working. I followed your steps and it’s working again

[@rogersloan9711]

Thank for for this! Our Whirlpool microwave had the open/close door error, and I was able to fix it with your instructions in 5 minutes, probably saved us the expense of a new microwave. Plus my family was quite impressed, because I usually don't fix anything around the house. Much appreciated.

[@princesslana2c]

Please send me instructions!

[@javierbaron1856]

Sometimes is not worth trying to fix appliances. Especially something with RADIATION ☢️ like a microwave oven. You don’t want to take it apart and mess with it. But generally just cleaning the contacts covered by years of grease and food particles with a hot wet dish cloth. Wrapping it on a butter knife and going gently inside around the microwave door. Making sure you get to connectors until there’s absolutely no grease. Unplug for 5-10 sec and plug it to totally RESET it back again. And BINGO!! You just saved $200-$300 dollars.

[@ShadraStrickland]

Thank you!!! I was about to dismantle the whole thing! lol

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

No problem!

[@marieobrien7051]

At least you have the ability to dismantle. I already took a hammer to a pressure cooker to get the lid off before I checked youtube

[@guyster231]

Too late lol already dismantled 🤣🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@daviddehghan]

That worked. Thank you for solving this incredibly frustrating problem.

[@pandarin6206]

Thanks! I wasn’t sure if this would work since our microwaves look pretty different and I couldn’t see the little sensors you were talking about, but I wiped down the top and bottom of the door and the frame anyway and the microwave‘s working now!

[@mbgrush]

Thank you so much!!! Was just about to pull the trigger on a new microwave. Who knew a damp paper towel would do the trick?!?!

[@nikikee44]

Wow, you saved my microwave because we almost brought this whirlpool out back to meet Louisville! Haha thank you very much for the video!

[@JessicaRodriguez-jy4hd]

Thank you so much! I was hesitant such an easy fix would resolve it, but it did!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Good! Awesome!

[@stilz2]

Video like yours makes KZbin a better place. Thanks.

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

No problem! Glad I could help!

[@GBz203]

I never comment on videos. I had something pop up today that really stressed me out and I just wanted a bag of popcorn but my microwave hasn’t been working for week. Little did I know simply wiping it would fix the trick. Thank you

[@mitalihaldankar6970]

This was so helpful. I was frustrated trying to figure out the solution. Thanks!

[@aimeemajdoub]

Have been having this same issue for 6 months, and you just fixed my microwave! Thank you so much!

[@sanjaikanth]

Thank you !! I bought a new item and while searching for how to remove old one I saw your video and it worked !!!! Thanks a ton!!

[@teresaciru9830]

I was about to fill out a work order for the apartments I live at.... life saver, I was hungry.

[@SniptheCorgi]

Thank you so much. I cleaned the top sensors and as soon as I did the microwave light popped back on! No more frustrating error code!

[@zimoqiao7070]

OMG that’s really helpful!! I just fixed my door error. I was worried that I would be charged $400 by my apartment! Thanks!!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

You are welcome! I'm glad it helped!

[@PF-Fly]

Wow! That was easy! Thank you so much. You just saved me hours of frustration and anger.

[@ogdenguy]

OMG, Thank you so much. Ours is only two years old and started intermittently doing exactly what the video shows. I tried your fix and it worked ! There was no way I was going to pay a repairman $100 just to show up to the house to fix a $239 microwave. You have gained a sub scriber !

[@chadalberty4563]

Thank you!!!!! This was my first time every being informed about the metal contact sensors.

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

As someone else has commented here, I'm not sure they are sensors. (They actually are probably not sensors--maybe a metal contact point thought that can sense somehow--I don't know) but for some reason wiping down the door fixes the problem for me every time. Thanks for watching!

[@tastyorange]

@@fathersonrepairdiy I hear clicking inside the microwave when I touch the metal clips. Clicking, trying to make the light come on I think.

[@maryannef9808]

Thank you! My microwave is cleaned on a regular basis, but there must have been something on the sensors as noted above. Just a slight wiping, and it worked.

[@ilonamalenkovich8393]

Thank you soooooo much, I actually have bought 2 of these. The first one I got that error and couldn’t figure it out. The second had this happen today. Just cleaned it and there was some plastic covering the sensor. Now I think I could have saved the first one. Thank you sooooo much!

[@perryhaggard7631]

An intermittent faulty inside light bulb caused this open/door issue for my Whirlpool. The bulb filament was broken, but made intermittent connections that would confuse the board that the door was open. I went through this post suggestion, and it actually would sometimes work, even though I doubt those clips are door sensors, instead they simply hold on the door panel. If I touched the control panel metal and door handle at the same time it would clear the open door fault. This is something I was inadvertently doing while wiping the "sensors". I could rap my knuckles on the microwave and make my burned out light flicker on and off, and it was screwed in tight. Multimeter confirmed broken filament. I ordered a new light bulb, and the three microswitches in case I needed them. THE LIGHT BULB CHANGE FIXED THE OPEN/CLOSE DOOR PROBLEM. I did not need to put in any microswitches, and saved them for backup. So, everyone, pay attention to the inside light bulb for delays in lighting or not lighting at all. Very strange that wiping the door was appearing to fix it sometimes, but for me it was the movement of the broken light bulb filament!

[@a51s49]

This sounds like my issue I will look at the bulb!

[@cindyb8766]

I literally just asked about a bulb intermittently not working before I read your comment! Thanks! I'll change the bulb AND clean it even though it looks clean.

[@samanthamora7635]

My light bulb has been blinking a lot I've noticed!! This is probably my problem too.

[@joettaqueen-ellenwood7711]

I cleaned the "sensors" and it began working immediately.

[@perryhaggard7631]

@@joettaqueen-ellenwood7711 When working on mine, I noticed that there were many things that could be touched that might reset the fault, even sometimes the plastic inside the microwave. It seems the control board might be very sensitive to electrical changes (maybe static charges), which I suspect happen when we are the touching various housing components. But I have been promised that those tabs are not sensors or contacts, just metal tab bends for fastening purposes. Luckily the fault can be reset with a little patience and repeated touching.

[@congoose100]

Similar issue on an LG (LMV2031BD) microwave. In that instance the counter would count down but no turntable movement or heating. Turns out the vent above the door came loose and didn't allow the door to close properly. Got it working right away. Thanks for this video! Saved me a ton of work!!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Nice work! I'm glad it helped but sounds like you did some investigating yourself. Nice job!

[@cristinafodor5386]

I have the same model with the same issue!... I was dreading having to go out and shop for a new one. Glad I found your video! Thank you it's working again!

[@MichaelWales]

Thank you! This worked perfectly on our Whirlpool microwave that's a few models older than yours but the fix worked perfectly. Saved us a call to a mechanic

[@marysuchopar1204]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I followed the directions on your video and it worked on my Kitchenaid convention microwave oven. You guys are the best!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Glad it helped!

[@hayleybarber8968]

This fixed my problem in less than 10 seconds, thank you so much!!

[@chowbaby63]

Thank you for making this video. It didn't work for me but I see it did for many.

[@arnoldj7205]

Thanks for this! Your tip absolutely nailed it!

[@truthseeker644]

Thank you! I love it when I can fix something easily!

[@98036scraphappy]

I cannot believe this. It’s the third repair video I watched. The only one that didn’t require disassembly. Our microwave was just purchased yesterday and we were just trying to learn it. “Door” error. I thought maybe mfg soil was on the door, so wiped it down. IT WORKS! Thank you, thank you, thank you! And our microwave is an LG LMC2075BD! Wow! ❤❤❤

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Glad it helped!

[@cmorrow6215]

Great little video. Just what I needed. Thank you!

[@sarahrankin9262]

Wow! You saved me! I was thinking I would have to call out a technician or buy a new microwave and all I had to do was clean the lip!!!! You da man!!

[@KsMeMoTn]

This! Worked perfectly after cleaning that lip and the little sensors! Thank you very much.

[@reatrocity]

Thank you! I was actually dumb enough to do a service call 2 years ago and the guy was like "Oh, can't figure out the issue, probably need a new control board. You should just replace the whole thing" and that was $125. Then the microwave started working again and it was a good run until tonight and I'm so glad you have a video up :)

[@branisima]

You saved my mother's sanity! She tried everything until we tried wiping down the sensors. Thank you!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Good! I'm so glad it helped!

[@javierbaron1856]

Thank you, thank you for the excellent advice. I did what you said and now it works. Also make sure to completely reset it by UNPLUGGING it for 5-10 sec. And plugging it back.

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Good tip!

[@GWH79]

This worked! Took about 2 minutes to fix. Thanks!

[@danicafahrenholtz7029]

We have THE exact microwave and this issue started over a week ago. It’s been driving me crazy. Thanks!!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

No problem!

[@theelectricunicyclist9069]

I have the same microwave and it had the same problem as yours. The contacts were all clean but I had a dozen magnets and numerous papers stuck to the door. I removed them and it was fixed. I cleaned the contacts just to be safe. Thanks!

[@mikedavis4684]

This is amazing... Thank you! Had this issue and it was going to cost $90 to get someone to walk in the door to look at it, which you might as well just get a new microwave at that point. This worked perfectly and it was fixed within a minute.

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Awesome! I'm so glad it was helpful for you.

[@bchell]

@@fathersonrepairdiy Your tip worked for a while, and continues to work. My wife pointed out that the door has dropped a bit and lifting it when closing it sometimes solves the problem. Now we try both methods. Do you know if we can tighten the door to work consistently? Our model is the same as yours. Thanks for your help.

[@basseight]

I had the same problem with my Kitchenaid W11040927. Didn’t notice the sensors until you pointed them out here. Great video - I hope this does the trick!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

I hope it helps too. I'm not sure if they are sensors or not but for some reason wiping it down fixes the problem for me every time.

[@luisperu9]

My goodness!!! Easy solution… I was about to send it back lol! Thank you for posting this!!!

[@ginascherzo2551]

You just saved my cup of coffee. You are a true hero.

[@kevinrmusic]

Thanks for this video!!! Also, if the frame that the door closes against is dirty, the microwave may think that the door is closed (unopened from the last use), when it isn't. It won't operate with an open door, but it might give you the same error message. Our problem started today AFTER I cleaned because some of the grime didn't come off, but just got pushed around the frame. This was on the right-hand side just above/below the latch holes. We have a whole new reason to keep our unit clean today.

[@MarcEnfroyMusic]

Your suggestion fixed my problem. I cleaned everywhere else and still had the problem. Then I read your comment and cleaned the areas around the latch and boom...problem solved. So thanks.

[@Khaladas]

This worked for me thank you! Kitchen Aid has sensors horizontally along the door inside, they didn't really even look dirty in the slightest but I ran my finger over them a couple times, and on the inside panel of the microwave where it would 'sense' and after that the open/close error went away.

[@GetBusyLivin]

You just saved me about $300 and a lot of time! Thank you!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Good to hear. My pleasure.

[@LazLong]

THANK YOU! I was able to easily fix it myself instead of a $100 service call!

[@macallandrinker]

Thanks! I had the same problem. Simply cleaning around the door helped. I do agree what others wrote about the simple latches. I don’t see sensors. But I will make sure that it is cleaned more often

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Yep they probably are not sensors but for whatever reason every time I clean it the microwave works again. Thanks for watching! Please subscribe. :)

[@billmilner3202]

Cleaning the door tete tion tabs did not fix your problem. The sensors are the push tabs in the slots where the door closes and are mechanically pushed by the tabs on the door. Just a fluke if wiping the door did anything.

[@civiliansheepdog3637]

You just saved me a service call! THANK YOU!!

[@plainprose7166]

It actually worked! Thought I was going to need a new microwave. Thanks fam.

[@terencem.4459]

This man helped so many people by telling us to wipe the dirt off lmao

[@sarahw2938]

THANK YOU! This has been driving me nuts!

[@benl7423]

I don’t think those are door sensors. They’re just metal clips to hold the front on. This is actually more to do with problems with the door switches.

[@JediBuji]

yeah, this video is misleading.

[@cericson3426]

Clean mine and microwave worked .....sooooo

[@tomgrobelny]

@@cericson3426hat doesn’t mean cleaning it resolved the issue. It will be back. I think it’s just coincidence or perhaps because the door switches had some time be left open and now they’re working again. Cleaning it the microwave seemed to work once or twice for me, but then I realized those aren’t sensors and they just hold the door together. There are switches inside the microwave shell where the 2 prongs go that are the interlock switches that determine if the door is closed or not and completes the circuits required for microwave operation.

[@joesnuffy7310]

Maybe fixed because dirt kept door from closing. Those are NOT sensors. door sensors are inside the locking part of the door.

[@yoda6538]

It works

[@crray9847]

Thank you so much for the information. It fixed ours and saved us a service call.

[@jamese1124]

This worked! Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@Jaso-zp5dh]

Thank you!!! So helpful! Got it working right after watching this video.

[@dorimeighan8817]

Thank you so much! Fixed and saved me a service call!

[@ruthdutton6508]

Yes, thank you so much! We were just about to head out the door to Best Buy...to buy a new one. We are forever grateful..for KZbin and its fsithful contributors!

[@sbk9370]

Worked like a charm! Appreciate you for posting this!! 🙏🏼👍🏻

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

You're welcome!

[@KINGDOMKONCEPT]

This helped me thanks!!! I have a whirlpool microwave almost like yours but your model is slightly newer, the light on the bottom of my microwave has only randomly worked one time. Have you experienced any issues with the light on the bottom of your microwave?

[@leighrieder3717]

You’re a lifesaver. That was driving me insane and your video advice worked like a charm. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@ume4life]

Thank you!! It worked!! I had no idea what to do besides slamming the door harder in annoyance 🙄

[@jackskelly6473]

thanks!! that works so much better than slamming the door shut over and over until it works

[@TrentWilliamsOutdoors1]

You just saved me $400. Thank you!

[@marieobrien7051]

Thank you so much. You probably saved me $200 for a repair.

[@tingtingxiang143]

Helped me today to fix the issue. Thanks so much!

[@DrAIbdah]

Thank you so much! That fixed my Whirlpool microwave 😊

[@davidwhigham5907]

You are a life saver…thank you so much!!!

[@aprilrobinson5688]

Omg! Thank you! This was so helpful. You probably saved us alot of money.

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Awesome!

[@84kjk]

It worked great! Thank you! Didn’t think it was going to.

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

I'm glad it helped!

[@keithmurray8538]

Worked like a charm! Thanks some much for sharing this.

[@MrJumper282003]

Thanks so much! This worked. But after cleaning the contacts, I had to leave the door open for 30 seconds before the light popped on!

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Awesome! I'm so glad it worked! Please consider subscribing to support my channel. Thank you!

[@SHOoffroad]

That's because it takes that long for the dried up grease inside the micro switch to release the contacts inside the micro switch.

[@siixfootbeautii17]

Bless your heart for this video OMG this was getting on my nerves so bad 😂😂😂👏🏽👏🏽

[@jmullen99]

THANK YOU! I thought I needed. a new microwave! Worked perfect.

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

Good! I'm so glad it helped you!

[@WhiteDiamond114]

thank you so much for making this video!

[@KristenMarieFerrante]

Thank you sooooooo much! This fixed the problem immediately! Liked and Subscribed! Thanks again.

[@anthoniaadeyemi9306]

This video is a lifesaver! Thanks for sharing. It worked.

[@fathersonrepairdiy]

No problem! I'm so glad it helped you! Thanks for watching.