How To Fix Open / Close Door Error on Microwave

I have the KitchenAid 1.9 cu. ft. Over the Range Convection Microwave in Stainless Steel with Sensor Cooking Technology microwave (model # KMHC319ESS).

Recently, the microwave would keep giving an error saying I needed to “open / close door” no matter how many times I open and close the door. This prevented me from microwaving anything. Since this was an expensive microwave, I didn’t really want to buy a new one. Fortunately, fixing this error was easy. It turns out that there is a sensor along the inside front bottom edge that detects whether the door is closed or not. I prefer to clean using wet Clorox disinfectant wipes. I find that they lift dirt up easily. I’d then wipe again using a dry paper towel. After doing that, the open/close door error goes away and the microwave can start.

Door sensor along inside bottom edge of microwave
Door sensor along inside bottom edge of microwave door
Cleaning the door sensor
Cleaning the door sensor

Although my microwave is a KitchenAid, apparently this happens to other microwaves as well.