My kenmore microwave oven seems to be overheating after a few minutes of cooking and it is shutting down. After it cools down, it seems to work fine again.

What seems to be the problem?

Model# 72167601790 serial# 711km08874

Donna, August 2005

My vent in the back of the microwave had a couple of bowl holder pads covering vents and had a whole top full of junk. works now. Thanks for the information.

Fred, November 2022

micro wave cover gets hot to the touch..what causes that

albert, February 2015

why is my microwave oven overheating and lost all power?

chon, March 2014

The Sears repair man who inspected our Kenmore microwave and contacted the factory to find out why it was overheating, said it was because we were using the high power setting for more than 12 minutes. There is no mention in the manual of a limited time that the unit can be used in the high power setting. There is no warning that the uint is going to shut down and when it does shut down, it doesn't come back on for 45 minutes to an hour.

Just Lucky, May 2012

My Panasonic did just that until My husband cleaned the fan grill at back of the oven. It was completely blocked with fluff and dust. will get myself a new cleaner!!!!!!

Elizabeth Brown, May 2010

Our Kenmore had the same problem. After cooking several microwave-meals it shut down and seemed to be "dead". After about and hour, we pulled it out and discovered that there was still heat behind the microwave- though we had not used it in over an hour.

Our microwave had been "boxed in" by cutting boards stacked on top and beside it. Thus, it overheated.

Janelle, August 2009

I am having the same problem with my kennmore doing the same thing. Let me know what you find out about it.

Kris, June 2007

Ours did that for a bit.

It turned out to be too close to the shelf and was blocking the fan from exhausting enough air.

Kurt, November 2005