How to Troubleshoot & Replace Samsung AP4580056 / DE34-00330C Microwave Switch Membrane

I ordered the part from AppliancePartsPros.com which arrived promptly - I watched several videos (not all of them had all the information so watching several gave me more information than any single one did) -- I took apart the panel as directed and bought a heat gun to help with removing the old sensor pad though one video showed a guy removing it without the heat gun - the heat gun really helped though so I'm glad I saw that video first. I then peeled the backing off and applied the new part -- I'm not great at lining up those sticky things (like with my cell phone protector) but it fits pretty snugly into the panel edges so that made it easier -- I was just the tiniest bit off on the left side but rather than possibly ruin it by ripping it off to try again, I put it all back together (getting those screws back in place must be really hard for guys with big fingers cause I have tiny fingers I had problems), I screwed the panel in place after hooking all the wires back up, (I had to go back and look at another video to find where the white and blue odd shaped plugs went because I couldn't remember (I took it apart before I got the part so there was a waiting period between taking apart and reassembly) -- before closing it all up I plugged it in and tested it -- it WORKED!!!! So I finished putting it all together and now I have a fully functional beautiful built-in microwave --- I had just bought the house and didn't know the microwave didn't work so I was totally delighted that I didn't have to buy a new one. I did it MYSELF!!! 

I read from a previous online customer experience that the membrane needed to be replaced. I ordered the membrane and went on YouTube to learn how to remove the membrane. I replaced it and haven't had a problem. The microwave is working just fine. 

In addition to the SE or 5E error, when I could get the microwave to work it would occasionally think random keys were pressed. Replacing the membrane switch panel did the trick. Just remove the control panel, peel off the old switch and stick on the new one. Couldn't be easier. 

I watched some of the YouTube videos on how to fix the error by cleaning the ribbon cable on the control panel. They only worked for a short while. I came across another video which had a link to purchase a new membrane and directions of how to fix it. It took about 20 minutes and works perfectly! If it works half as long as the original, I will be able to keep this microwave going for a long time. 

We were more than pleased that the recommended replacement part arrived the very next day. My husband made the repair and the microwave is working perfectly. The young man who worked with me to determine the correct part was very kind and patient. Great service! 

Ordered a switch membrane, which I figured had been comprimised, installed it, and it has worked for a week. We'll see how long it lasts. Fairly easy repair. Had this not worked, it would have been another microwave in a land fill.....,... 

Pulled control panel assembly, cleaned all connections including ribbon cable and reassembled. Same problem started after about ten minutes. Removed again, disassembled sensor pad assembly, peeled off the old switch membrane, cleaned surface. Installed new membrane and reassembled. So far so good, has been a couple of weeks. 

I watched the Appliance Parts Pros tutorial and some videos to educate myself. It went well. This is the second appliance that I have repaired with the help of Appliance Parts Pros. I am a big fan. 

I removed to top cover to expose the single screw holding the control pc board and touch pad. I removed the control assembly by unpluging all of the wiring (took a photo just in case). Then removed the 4 screws holding the pc board. Then removed the sheet metal backing plate to expose and release the one membrane strap. Then peeled away the existing membrane and cleaned the residual adhesive from the plastic case with mineral spirits (apply it and let soak a few minutes). Then peeled away the backing applied the new membrane to the case and reassembled in reverse order. The whole process took about and hour. Works great. 

Replaced touch pad. The part that took the longest time was removing the sticky film from old touch pad.