On the covered KitchenAid over-the-range microwave, F1 E1 means the microwave control has reported an internal fault First, unplug the microwave for a full minute. Then: plug it in and test with a cup of water, and book service if F1 E1 returns, since the control board is for a technician.
Differential
Likely causes of “KitchenAid over-the-range microwave code F1 E1”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The microwave's control has reported an internal fault
What separates it The display shows F1 E1 and the microwave does not respond
How to confirm Unplug for a minute and see whether it clears
- 2
A power surge that upset the control
What separates it The lights flickered before the code
How to confirm Reset and retry
- 3
A control board that has failed
What separates it F1 E1 returns each time power is applied
How to confirm The board is replaced
- 4
A loose connector behind the panel
What separates it The code came after the microwave was moved
How to confirm A technician reseats the plug
- 5
A keypad fault
What separates it Keys do nothing and the code stays
How to confirm A technician tests the keypad
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether F1 E1 appeared as soon as power was applied or partway through a cook
- Whether the keypad responds and whether the display is dim or garbled
- Whether a surge, a storm or a tripped breaker came just before
- The model number from the label inside the door frame
Try in this order
0 of 9 completedWhat to do first
Reversibleunplug the microwave for a full minute.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversiblePlug it in and test with a cup of water, and book service if F1 E1 returns, since the control board is for a technician. A power reset is the whole of what KitchenAid publishes for this code: remove power for 1 minute, restore it, and watch whether the code returns.
Unplug the microwave for a full minute
ReversiblePull the plug from the outlet, or switch off the circuit if the microwave is hard-wired, and wait a minute so that the control restarts.
Plug it in and look at the display
ReversibleA normal clock or a blank display with no code means the fault was a one-off. F1 E1 again means the control is still unhappy.
Press a key and see whether it responds
ReversibleIf the keys do nothing and the code stays, the keypad or the control board is faulty.
Run a short test
ReversibleHeat a cup of water for thirty seconds. If it warms, the heating side is working and the fault is limited to the control.
Note whether it happens at power-up or during use
ReversibleA code that appears the moment power is applied points to the control board; one that appears mid-cook points to a sensor or a connection.
Book service if F1 E1 returns
ReversibleThe control board is the usual replacement, and a technician does it because the case holds a charged capacitor.
Plug the microwave into a different outlet
ReversibleIf the microwave can reach another outlet, try it there for a test. A faulty outlet can mimic a control fault, and moving the plug rules it out in a minute.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The code on this page
- F1 E1, a control fault.
- Parts involved
- The control board and keypad.
- Safety
- Never open the microwave case.
- What a control fault looks like
- An F1 E1 fault usually shows as a display that freezes, blanks or shows the code the moment the microwave is plugged in. The control board has detected that its own memory or its relays are not behaving, so it refuses to run. Because the board is the brain of the microwave, a reset is the only home step.
- The cost question
- A control board is one of the dearer parts of an over-the-range microwave. On a microwave that is more than eight years old, compare the repair quote with the price of a new unit, and ask whether the model has been superseded, which can affect the part's availability.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !F1 E1 that returns straight after a one-minute unplug points to the control board, so book KitchenAid service with the model number
- !Do not open the case, because the capacitor holds a charge after unplugging
- !Ask the technician whether a board replacement is covered if the microwave is still under warranty
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F1 E1 mean on a KitchenAid over-the-range microwave?+
the microwave control has reported an internal fault
Can I fix it myself?+
Only the power reset; replacing the board is a job for a technician because of the stored charge inside.
Is it covered by warranty?+
Possibly, if the microwave is new, so check the date of purchase.
Why does it appear after a storm?+
A surge can upset the control board, and a reset sometimes clears it.
Is it safe to open the case?+
No. A microwave holds a charged capacitor that stays dangerous after it is unplugged.
Can a power surge cause F1 E1?+
Yes, a surge can corrupt the control's memory, and a reset sometimes clears it.
Is there a way to protect the microwave?+
A surge protector rated for the circuit helps, though an over-the-range microwave is usually wired to a dedicated outlet.