What causes GE Microwave PF?

A household power outage or brownout, even a brief flicker. The microwave was just installed, or its cord was unplugged and plugged back in. A tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse that has since been reset. A loose plug, worn outlet or loose connection that drops power intermittently. The microwave sharing a circuit with other appliances, so the breaker trips under load (GE says over-the-range models should always be on a dedicated circuit).

How do I fix GE Microwave PF?

Touch Clear, Clear/Off or Cancel/Off once (the pad name depends on your model). PF should disappear and the microwave should work normally. Reset the clock if your model shows one. If PF interrupted a cooking cycle, restart it and check that the food is fully cooked. If PF keeps returning with no outage, make sure the 3-prong plug is pushed fully into the outlet. On an over-the-range model the outlet is usually in the cabinet above. Check the breaker panel. If the breaker is tripped, switch it fully off and then back on to reset it. Plug a lamp or night light into the same outlet to confirm the outlet holds power steadily. Find out what else is on the same circuit. GE wants microwaves on an individual 120-volt, grounded circuit on a 15- or 20-amp breaker, and over-the-range models on a dedicated circuit. Don't open the microwave case. Microwaves contain a high-voltage capacitor that can hold a dangerous charge even when unplugged.

When should I call a pro for GE Microwave PF?

The breaker trips every time the microwave runs: GE says to make sure it's on its own dedicated circuit, reset the breaker and try once more, and if it trips again, unplug the microwave and contact service. The outlet loses power, feels loose or looks scorched, or the microwave isn't on a proper dedicated circuit: call an electrician. PF keeps showing up even though the outlet and breaker check out and there have been no outages: have the microwave looked at by a GE-authorized technician. The microwave shuts off mid-cycle and stays dead: GE says it may have overheated (check that vents aren't blocked), wait about 30 minutes, and schedule a repair if power doesn't return.

Code: PF🔧 GE Microwave

GE Microwave PF Code: Power Failure Notice, Not a Fault (How to Clear It)

Q: What does GE Microwave PF mean?

PF on a GE microwave stands for power failure. It isn't a fault in the microwave: the control is telling you its power was interrupted, from a household outage, a tripped breaker, or the cord being unplugged and plugged back in. Touch Clear, Clear/Off or Cancel/Off (depending on your model) to clear it, then reset the clock. If PF keeps coming back when you haven't had an outage, check the breaker, the outlet and the plug. GE Appliances' support article "Microwave - Power Failure (PF) Code" says that after a power failure to your home's electrical supply, when power comes back on you may see "PF", "888" or "8888" on the display, depending on the model, to show that a power failure occurred. GE adds that the same codes can appear on initial installation or after the power cord was unplugged and plugged back in, and that you clear them and resume normal operation by touching the CLEAR or CLEAR/OFF pad, then resetting the clock on models with a clock in the display. GE owner's manuals and the GE microwave drawer error-code article list "PF" the same way: a power failure has occurred, press Cancel/Off to clear the display. So PF is a notice, not a diagnosis. If you see it often without any obvious outage, the likely culprit is the power reaching the microwave: a breaker that trips, a loose or worn outlet, a plug that isn't fully seated, or a microwave sharing a circuit with other appliances. GE says its countertop and over-the-range microwaves need a 120-volt, individual, properly grounded branch circuit with a 3-prong grounding receptacle on a 15- or 20-amp breaker or time-delay fuse, and over-the-range models should always be on a dedicated circuit. Other GE microwave codes mean different things: F3 on many models means a key has been held for more than 60 seconds (often liquid on the control panel), and LOC means the control panel lock is on.

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Based on 6 manufacturer & service sources

What the code means

GE Appliances' support article "Microwave - Power Failure (PF) Code" says that after a power failure to your home's electrical supply, when power comes back on you may see "PF", "888" or "8888" on the display, depending on the model, to show that a power failure occurred. GE adds that the same codes can appear on initial installation or after the power cord was unplugged and plugged back in, and that you clear them and resume normal operation by touching the CLEAR or CLEAR/OFF pad, then resetting the clock on models with a clock in the display. GE owner's manuals and the GE microwave drawer error-code article list "PF" the same way: a power failure has occurred, press Cancel/Off to clear the display. So PF is a notice, not a diagnosis. If you see it often without any obvious outage, the likely culprit is the power reaching the microwave: a breaker that trips, a loose or worn outlet, a plug that isn't fully seated, or a microwave sharing a circuit with other appliances. GE says its countertop and over-the-range microwaves need a 120-volt, individual, properly grounded branch circuit with a 3-prong grounding receptacle on a 15- or 20-amp breaker or time-delay fuse, and over-the-range models should always be on a dedicated circuit. Other GE microwave codes mean different things: F3 on many models means a key has been held for more than 60 seconds (often liquid on the control panel), and LOC means the control panel lock is on.

Likely causes

A household power outage or brownout, even a brief flicker
The microwave was just installed, or its cord was unplugged and plugged back in
A tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse that has since been reset
A loose plug, worn outlet or loose connection that drops power intermittently
The microwave sharing a circuit with other appliances, so the breaker trips under load (GE says over-the-range models should always be on a dedicated circuit)

Safe DIY checks

⚠ Before you start

Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before opening panels.

Touch Clear, Clear/Off or Cancel/Off once (the pad name depends on your model). PF should disappear and the microwave should work normally.
Reset the clock if your model shows one. If PF interrupted a cooking cycle, restart it and check that the food is fully cooked.
If PF keeps returning with no outage, make sure the 3-prong plug is pushed fully into the outlet. On an over-the-range model the outlet is usually in the cabinet above.
Check the breaker panel. If the breaker is tripped, switch it fully off and then back on to reset it.
Plug a lamp or night light into the same outlet to confirm the outlet holds power steadily.
Find out what else is on the same circuit. GE wants microwaves on an individual 120-volt, grounded circuit on a 15- or 20-amp breaker, and over-the-range models on a dedicated circuit.
Don't open the microwave case. Microwaves contain a high-voltage capacitor that can hold a dangerous charge even when unplugged.

🛠 When to call a pro

The breaker trips every time the microwave runs: GE says to make sure it's on its own dedicated circuit, reset the breaker and try once more, and if it trips again, unplug the microwave and contact service.
The outlet loses power, feels loose or looks scorched, or the microwave isn't on a proper dedicated circuit: call an electrician.
PF keeps showing up even though the outlet and breaker check out and there have been no outages: have the microwave looked at by a GE-authorized technician.
The microwave shuts off mid-cycle and stays dead: GE says it may have overheated (check that vents aren't blocked), wait about 30 minutes, and schedule a repair if power doesn't return.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.

GE Microwave PF Code: Power Failure Notice, Not a Fault (How to Clear It)

What the code means

Likely causes

Safe DIY checks

🛠 When to call a pro

Related codes

Sources