Microwave ovens are a great invention. They are versatile appliances that serve many different purposes. Their primary use is to reheat food, but now they are even used for other purposes like grilling or roasting meats!
You can even use it for basic baking. Microwave mug cakes are quite popular around the world now. There are so many other recipes that can also be tried using a microwave oven.
The most basic microwaves can perform all these functions well. They consume lesser electricity than most other appliances and are safe to use even by children. These appliances are so common now that you will find them in almost every kitchen.
A stove might be missing, but you will most often than not find a microwave perched on a kitchen counter.
The Whirlpool microwave, like most other microwaves, comes with a built-in cooling fan. The fan ensures that the microwave cools down properly. Once you are done using the microwave, the fan runs till the internals are completely cooled down.
This is an amazing safety feature that helps increase the longevity of your appliance. In the cases where a microwave is without a built-in fan, it is essential to get an external one installed.
The microwave fan is a brilliant built-in feature to enhance the longevity and overall performance of the machine. The thermostat monitors the temperature and automatically switches on the microwave fan when the temperature increases.
Usually, the fan switches off once the microwave comes to room temperature or a pre-set average temperature. Sometimes, due to several reasons, this mechanism can develop some fault, and the fan could keep running even when the microwave has already done its job.
Expensive appliances are not purchased every day. Kitchen appliances are some of the costliest expenses these days. It is essential to use them with utmost care. If you detect something wrong with anything, it is good to get it checked out by a professional.
The same is the case with a microwave. They are a useful investment for the kitchen of your dreams.
Aside from calling a microwave technician, there are specific steps that you can carry out as the owner if your microwave fan is not turning off on its own; here’s a list of things you need to go over to fix it.
Whirlpool Microwave Fan Won’t Turn Off
1. Disconnect The Microwave from The Main Supply
If you have not been using the microwave oven lately and the fan still keeps running, it is advisable to disconnect the microwave from the main supply. This way, the microwave fan will also turn off. It is not safe to let the fan run for no reason.
It can easily burn out your microwave oven by constantly running power through the system.
This rule generally works for most common electrical appliances. If you feel that there is a glitch, you can simply remove the plug from the electrical socket and reconnect it after a while.
2. Manually Switch Off The Fan From The Settings
If the microwave fan does not turn off automatically, give it some rest and let it cool down. Chances are that the fan will turn off on its own. It is better to wait and let the appliance work it out on its own. However, if that is not the case, you can always switch it off manually.
Carefully read the instruction manual that comes with the microwave to understand better how to operate settings. Next, go to the control setup and press it; choose the setup mode from the display.
Next, scroll through the setup mode until you see the “Vent Fan” option and press it. Then select the off option since you are trying to switch off the fan. Press Enter one last time, and the vent fan will switch off.
3. Is The Thermostat Working Fine?
There is a built-in thermostat in the microwave, which manages the appliance’s temperature. When the temperature goes high enough, the thermostat signals the microwave to turn on the fan.
The fan automatically turns off when the machine cools down to the desired temperature. If the microwave oven has returned to room temperature and the fan is still running, this could also mean that the thermostat has some fault.
It is strictly recommended to not tamper with electrical appliances if you do not have the required skills to carry out the task at hand. They can cause serious injuries if mishandled. In this case, if you are not a qualified technician, then the next step should be to call for professional help.
4. Have You Been Overusing The Microwave?
If your microwave usage has generally gone up recently, then it could mean that the appliance is being overused beyond its capability. Over usage generally heats most electrical appliances.
The extended use could lead to overheating, and for that, the microwave fan would have to run for longer periods of time to bring the appliance back to room temperature.
In this case, the solution is to just let the microwave rest for a while before you use it again. It is better to be cautious with such things than to let an appliance burn out due to over-usage.
5. Make Sure Your Kitchen Is Appropriately Ventilated
An adequately ventilated kitchen is necessary to maintain the average temperature inside the kitchen. This is the house where ventilation is the most important, even for health reasons.
Heat and smoke from cooking are generally bad for the health if it has no place to be vented out. They also promote the build-up of grease on your kitchen cabinets and walls.
This ends up giving the entire room a very dirty and shabby look. Lack of ventilation also leads to an unhygienic environment in the kitchen, which can attract rodents.
Stoves, microwaves, and baking ovens produce a lot of heat, which raises the overall temperature in the kitchen. This could also affect the microwave fan as it will be difficult to bring the appliance temperature down to the average room temperature.
This means that the microwave fan will keep running for longer to compensate for the lack of ventilation.
The solution is to make sure that your kitchen has a window for ventilation. In most small apartments it is not possible to have a kitchen with a window for ventilation, so in that case, you should have a good quality exhaust system in place.
This will help air out all the smells and keep the room’s temperature within normal limits. This would also help other appliances in your kitchen.
In most cases, this fan issue is due to some minor problems, and there would be nothing that the right person cannot fix. It should be understood that all the steps mentioned above are the basic things that you can do on your own.
If you feel that the problem is something beyond your understanding as a layman, then it is vital to call for professional help to save your appliance rather than having to buy a new one.