LG Microwave Won’t Turn Off — What’s Happening
When your LG microwave won’t turn off, the unit continues to run even after you press the Cancel or Stop button, or the controls appear completely unresponsive. This is a symptom, not a specific error code. The most common causes are a failed Cancel/Off key on the touchpad, a defective user control board that isn’t sending the shutdown signal, or a shorted relay or triac on the main control board that keeps power flowing to the magnetron, fan, light, or turntable even when the command has been issued to stop.
Sometimes what looks like a “won’t turn off” condition is actually the control lock (LOC on the display) or a door-latch fault (DOOR on the display). If you see LOC, the oven is simply locked and needs to be unlocked by holding Stop/Clear until the indicator clears. If you see DOOR, the microwave thinks the door isn’t properly closed or latched. True “won’t turn off” failures almost always trace back to the control boards or the Cancel button itself.
Most Likely Causes
- Stuck or failed Cancel/Off button The touchpad membrane or the Cancel key itself has failed and no longer sends the stop command to the control board.
- Shorted relay or triac on the main control board A relay or triac that controls the magnetron, fan, or other loads has shorted closed, keeping those circuits energized even after the controls signal off.
- Defective user control and display board The control panel board has failed and cannot process or transmit the shutdown command when you press Cancel.
- Control lock accidentally engaged The control lock (LOC) has been turned on, making the oven appear unresponsive until you hold Stop/Clear to unlock it.
- Door switch or interlock fault A defective door safety switch or latch problem can prevent the microwave from recognizing a proper shutdown or door-closed state, sometimes shown as DOOR on the display.
How to Diagnose and Fix
- Confirm the symptom by checking whether the microwave is actually running (fan, light, turntable, or cooking) or whether the display shows LOC or DOOR.
- If LOC is displayed, press and hold the Stop/Clear button until the LOC indicator disappears to unlock the controls.
- Unplug the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes to perform a hard reset, then plug it back in and test the Cancel/Off button.
- Press the Cancel/Off button several times and verify that it clicks and responds normally, if it feels sticky or does not register, suspect the user control and display board or keypad membrane.
- Open and close the door firmly several times, clean around the door seal and latch area, and confirm the door latches securely without gaps or resistance.
- If the unit still runs after pressing Cancel, unplug it, remove the outer cabinet, and inspect the main control board for visible signs of arcing, burned relays, or shorted triacs.
- Use a multimeter to test continuity across each door safety switch with the door closed, replacing any switch that does not show continuity.
- If the keypad works but loads remain energized, replace the main control board, if the keypad does not respond at all, replace the user control and display board.
Parts You Might Need
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Main control board | Amazon | Controls all microwave functions, replace if relays or triacs are shorted and loads stay on after shutdown. |
| User control and display board | Amazon | The touchpad and interface assembly, replace if the Cancel/Off button does not respond or send the stop command. |
| Door interlock switch | Amazon | Safety switches that detect door closure, replace any that fail the continuity test with the door closed. |
Related Error Codes
If your appliance also shows a code on the display, these match this problem:
- Lg Microwave Door error code
- Lg Microwave E10 error code
- Lg Microwave F 11 error code
- Lg Microwave F 2 error code
- Lg Microwave F 3 error code
- Lg Microwave F 5 error code
- Lg Microwave F1 error code
- Lg Microwave F11 error code
- Lg Microwave F13 error code
- Lg Microwave F16 error code
- Lg Microwave F17 error code
- Lg Microwave F2 error code
When to Call a Pro
Call a professional if you are uncomfortable working inside a microwave, which retains high voltage even when unplugged. The magnetron capacitor can hold a lethal charge and must be safely discharged before any internal work. If you have performed a hard reset, confirmed the control lock is off, tested the door latch, and the unit still will not shut down, a technician with a multimeter and proper safety training should diagnose the control boards and door interlocks. If the main board has shorted relays or the touchpad is embedded in a sealed control assembly, professional replacement is the fastest and safest route.