Microwave stops mid-cycle and displays E3; sometimes accompanied by a clicking sound from inside.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Unplug the microwave before any inspection. Do not touch high-voltage components.
User-level checks:
- 1. Allow cooling: If the microwave has been used repeatedly, let it cool for 30 minutes, then try again. Overheating can trigger sensor-related errors.
- 2. Check vents and fan openings: Ensure the cooling fan intake and exhaust vents are not blocked by cabinets, walls, or objects on top of the microwave.
- 3. Power reset: Disconnect power for 10 minutes to reset the control board, then test with a short heating cycle.
Technician-level checks:
- Locate the cavity temperature sensor/thermistor (usually clipped to the side or top of the cavity behind the inner liner) and test its resistance at room temperature. Compare to Salter specifications.
- Inspect the thermistor harness and connector at the control PCB for corrosion or loose pins.
- Replace the thermistor if readings are out of range or intermittent when gently moved.
If E3 persists, the control PCB may be faulty and should be replaced with the correct Salter control module.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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