Kenmore Cavity Light Failure

Microwave interior light does not come on when the door opens or during cooking, but the unit heats normally.

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Possible Causes

Burned-out cavity light bulb, Loose light socket, Failed light relay on control board, Broken light wiring

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Unplug the microwave before replacing the bulb or accessing internal components.

  • Access bulb: On many Kenmore models, the interior bulb is accessed by removing the top grille and a small cover, or from the rear/bottom panel.
  • Replace bulb: Remove the old bulb and install a new bulb of the same type and wattage specified for your model (often a 20–40W appliance bulb).
  • Check socket and wiring: If a new bulb does not light, inspect the socket for corrosion or loose connections. Repair or replace as needed.
  • Control board: If the socket has power only intermittently or never, the light relay on the control board may be faulty and the board may need replacement.

Use only bulbs rated for microwave use to avoid overheating or breakage.

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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Cavity Light Bulb
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