GE microwave oven error codes

GE microwave oven code 18

GE describes 18 as a power watch code indicating an issue with the microwave's electronic control.

Record the exact display and the operating stage before clearing it.

Cutting power at the breaker or fuse for 30 seconds sometimes clears the code; GE directs this family to a trained service technician.

• An issue with the electronic control: 18 shows on a Power Watch display, which points to an issue with the electronic control. GE says the 18 power watch code indicates an issue with the electronic control
• A power surge that upset the control: 18 appeared after a storm or an outage and cleared after unplugging. Unplug the microwave for a minute, plug it back in and try a cook
• A failed electronic control: 18 returns every time the microwave is powered up. Only a technician should replace the control; tell them 18 returns on every power-up

Shut off the breaker or fuse for 30 seconds and restore it.

Try a short heating cycle to see if the code returns.

GE says a trained service technician should diagnose the control.

Unplug the microwave, wait a minute and plug it back in, then try a short cook with a cup of water in the cavity.

18.

Electronic control.

None.

Unplug the microwave before any cover is removed

GE microwave oven code F1, F2

GE defines F1 as an open thermal sensor, caused by excessive heat in the microwave cavity.

Stop using the microwave and let the cavity cool completely before anything else.

Cutting power at the breaker or fuse for 30 seconds sometimes clears the code; GE directs this family to a trained service technician.

• An open thermal sensor from excessive heat (F1): F1 shows after a long high-power run, which points to an open thermal sensor from excessive heat (F1). GE says F1 is an open thermal sensor due to excessive heat in the microwave cavity
• A shorted thermal sensor (F2): F2 shows and the microwave will not heat, which points to a shorted thermal sensor (F2). GE says F2 is a shorted thermal sensor
• A cavity that overheated during a long cook: F1 appeared after a long cook or a cook with an empty cavity. Let the microwave cool fully with the door open and try a short cook with a cup of water

Shut off the circuit breaker or fuse that supplies the microwave for 30 seconds, as GE says, then restore it.

If it followed a long run, let the cavity cool before trying again.

GE says a trained service technician should be called to diagnose the fault.

F1, F2.

Thermal sensor.

What do F1 and F2 mean on a GE microwave? F1 is an open thermal sensor and F2 a shorted thermal sensor.

Should I run the microwave empty to test it? No; running it empty can damage it, so test with a cup of water in the cavity.

Unplug the microwave before any cover is removed; the high-voltage capacitor can hold a lethal charge

GE microwave oven code F10

GE defines F10 as a shorted touch screen.

Note which areas of the screen respond before clearing anything.

Cutting power at the breaker or fuse for 30 seconds sometimes clears the code; GE directs this family to a trained service technician.

• A shorted touch screen: F10 shows and the screen misbehaves, which points to a shorted touch screen. GE says F10 is a shorted touch screen
• A splash or steam reaching the screen: F10 appeared after cooking with steam or a spill near the touch screen. Unplug the microwave and wipe the screen dry
• A screen that reads touches when nothing is pressing it: The display responds by itself or beeps with nobody pressing it. Unplug and restore power and see whether the screen behaves normally

Wipe the screen dry.

If F10 returns, a technician must replace the screen or control.

Unplug the microwave, wipe the screen with a barely damp cloth, dry it and give it a few minutes before you restore power.

Touch screen.

Is it F3? F3 is a shorted touch pad panel.

GE microwave oven code F3

GE defines F3 as a shorted touch pad panel.

Note which pads respond and which do not before clearing anything.

Cutting power at the breaker or fuse for 30 seconds sometimes clears the code; GE directs this family to a trained service technician.

• A shorted touch pad panel: F3 shows and pads misbehave, which points to a shorted touch pad panel. GE says F3 is a shorted touch pad panel
• A stuck key from moisture or grease: A key feels stuck, which points to a stuck key from moisture or grease. Unplug the microwave and wipe the panel dry
• A splash or steam reaching the panel: F3 appeared after cooking with steam or a spill near the control panel. Unplug the microwave and wipe the panel dry

Unplug the microwave, wipe the panel dry and let it air out.

If F3 returns, a technician must replace the touch pad or control.

Touch pad panel.

Can I spray cleaner on the panel? No; wipe with a barely damp cloth, because liquid can reach the electronics.

GE microwave oven code F4, F5

GE defines F4 as an open humidity sensor.

Note whether the failure happens only on sensor-cooking cycles.

Cutting power at the breaker or fuse for 30 seconds sometimes clears the code; GE directs this family to a trained service technician.

• An open humidity sensor (F4): F4 shows on a sensor-cook model, which points to an open humidity sensor (F4). GE says F4 is an open humidity sensor
• A shorted humidity sensor (F5): F5 shows on a sensor-cook model, which points to a shorted humidity sensor (F5). GE says F5 is a shorted humidity sensor
• Moisture that fooled the sensor after steamy cooking: F4 or F5 appeared after cooking with lots of steam and the cavity is still damp. Wipe the cavity dry, leave the door open to air out and try a timed cook

Use manual time and power instead of the sensor function while you wait for service.

GE says a trained service technician should diagnose the fault.

F4, F5.

Humidity sensor.

Can I keep using it? Time cooking may still work.

Does the code stop timed cooking? GE points to time cooking as the workaround, so try a timed cook to see whether the microwave still heats.

GE microwave oven code F6

GE defines F6 as a shorted temperature probe.

Remove the probe and check whether the code appears without it fitted.

Cutting power at the breaker or fuse for 30 seconds sometimes clears the code; GE directs this family to a trained service technician.

• A shorted temperature probe: F6 shows and probe cooking fails, which points to a shorted temperature probe. GE says F6 is a shorted temperature probe
• A probe or its jack that is damp or dirty: F6 appeared after the probe was washed and reused without drying. Wipe the probe and the jack dry and plug the probe in again
• A probe that is bent or damaged: The probe cable is kinked or the tip is damaged. Look at the probe for kinks and swap it if it is damaged

Unplug the temperature probe and see whether F6 clears.

If the probe is damaged, replace it; otherwise schedule service.

Check the cable for kinks and the tip for damage, dry both and plug the probe in firmly before you try again.

Temperature probe.

Is it the same as Probe? No; Probe means an open probe or one not plugged in.