Microwave beeps and displays F1, often immediately at power-up or when pressing any keypad button; may not start cooking.

Safety first: Unplug the microwave before removing any panels. High-voltage components inside a microwave can retain a dangerous charge even when unplugged. Do not touch the high-voltage section (capacitor, transformer, magnetron).

• Power reset: Unplug the microwave for 5–10 minutes, then plug back in and test. Sometimes an electronic glitch can trigger F1.
• Check for stuck keys: Press each keypad button one at a time. If any button feels stuck or does not click, the membrane keypad may be shorted.
• Inspect keypad ribbon: If accessible from the control panel, gently remove the control panel (usually a few screws behind the grille), then disconnect and reconnect the flat keypad ribbon cable to the control board. Look for corrosion or moisture.
• Dry out moisture: If the keypad area is damp from steam, leave the door open and allow the unit to dry for several hours, then test again.
• If F1 persists: The membrane keypad or the main control board is likely defective. On many GE models the keypad is integrated with the control panel. Replacement of the control panel assembly or control board is required and is best done by a qualified technician due to proximity to high-voltage components.