Questions

• My microwave won’t run.
• My microwave doesn’t produce heat.
• I am unable to adjust power levels of my microwave.
• The touchpad control panel on my microwave doesn’t work.
• My microwave turntable isn’t turning.
• My microwave’s light bulb went out/ won’t work.
• My microwave runs for a few seconds, then stops.
• My microwave display doesn’t work.
• My microwave turns itself on.
• My microwave is sparking or arcing.
• My microwave door will not open.
• The exhaust fan of my microwave is not working.
• My microwave is loud or noisy.

Help! My Microwave Won’t Run!

1. Inspect the Power Cord

• First, try to unplug the power cord of your microwave and confirm voltage at the outlet.
• Next, you need to analyze the microwave for any damage to it, shorts, or any burn marks. This can be a potential safety hazard.

2. Bad Door Switch

• First, check the door hooks of your microwave as well as the door release button.
• Check your terminals.
• If you see any issues with these things, you may need to contact a professional to replace your microwave’s door switch.

3. Blown Fuses

• First, you have to pull the fuse out using a pair of fuse pullers, lay it down.
• Check both ends of the fuse using a voltmeter on RX1.
• If you do not get a reading of zero, then you will need to replace the fuse.

1. Bad Fan Motor

• Locate the microwave fan and remove the leads.
• Check the terminals.
• If an infinity reading is displayed on the voltmeter RX1, the microwave fan has is broken. Contact a professional to replace the fan motor.

Why Doesn’t My Microwave Produce Any Heat?

1. Check the Power Diode

The power diode is an electronic component responsible for transmitting the current in one direction. If your microwave’s diode no longer works, your microwave will not heat. Contact a professional to check the diode and replace, if necessary.

1. High Voltage Capacitor

The high voltage capacitor’s purpose is for storing electricity. Contact a professional to remove, discharge, and test the capacitor. It may need to be replaced.

1. Damaged Magnetron

The magnetron’s job is to generate waves and produce heat. If your microwave is not heating correctly, you will need to contact a professional to replace your magnetron.

1. Thermal Cutoffs

• Inspect the thermal cutoffs on the magnetron and the oven itself.
• Remove one of the leads.
• Check the terminals.
• On the voltmeter RX1, if you get more than zero on your reading, you will need to contact a professional to replace the thermal cutoffs.

Why Can’t I Adjust the Power Levels of My Microwave?

If it’s impossible to change the power levels of your microwave, there may be a faulty triac or an issue with your circuit board.

Help! My Touchpad Control Panel Doesn’t Work.

1. The Controller is Confused

A power surge or other weather, out of your control, may have caused the controller program to end up in an infinite loop. You will need to try pulling the plug, wait a minute or two and try to reset it.

2. Defective Interlock Switches

This can be due to the controller being confused. It will act as if the door is open when it’s really not and ignoring your command.  

3. Cleaning

It is possible for cleaning solutions to get inside your microwave which will short out the touchpad or controller. If this occurs, try removing the touchpad and let it air dry for a few days. Once it’s done air drying you can attach it back to the microwave.

My Microwave’s Turntable Doesn’t Turn

If the carousel inside your microwave isn’t turning once you start it, the small motor on the inside that operates it may be defective. You will need to contact a professional to confirm this and replace it.

The Light Bulb in my Microwave Doesn’t Turn On

1. Light Bulb

If your microwave light bulb doesn’t work, it’s possible that it’s blown out. Try replacing the bulb. If that doesn’t help, look below for more information on this subject.

1. Light Bulb Socket & Main Control Board

• Check the light socket as well as the wiring of your microwave to ensure they are both functioning correctly.
• If these sources are both working OK, the next step is to check for a defective control board. This may be the root cause to your microwave light bulb malfunction.

My Microwave Runs for a Few Seconds, but Then Stops

1. Main Control Board

If your microwave runs for a few seconds and stops, try doing the following:

• Check to make sure that no shortage has occurred on the control board.
• If the control board is found to be defective, then it will need to be replaced to prevent the continual shut offs from happening.
• If it’s not your control board, the next step is to check for a broken touchpad.

1. Touchpad/Control panel

The touch pad is also known as the control panel. This is a rather uncommon issue. Symptoms to look for would be a display where only some buttons are working correctly but others are not working at all. If this happens, then the touchpad will need to be replaced by a professional.  

My Microwave’s Display Doesn’t Work

1. Main Control Board

If your microwave shows no display and seems to have gone out completely this is usually a sign that it is a malfunctioned main control board. To correct the issue the main control board would need to be replaced.

1. Display board

A display board can may malfunction completely or partly, causing two different results. If the units display has completely went out, this can be due to either a broken/defective main control board or display board. However, if the display has only partially gone out, this could be a sign that the display board is defective and will need to be replaced by a professional.

My Microwave Turns on by Itself

1. Interlock switch

If your microwave is turning on by itself, you should first check the interlock switch. This could cause the microwave to turn on without any prompting. If the interlock switch is faulty then contact a professional to replace it.

1. Main control board

If your microwave’s interlock switch is good, then it might be the main control board. If the control board is broken it will need to be replaced by a professional.

Help! My Microwave is Sparking!

1. Waveguide Cover

If your microwave is sparking it might be from a defective waveguide cover. You could try removing the waveguide and inspect it for any burns. If you see any burns, call a professional to replace your waveguide cover.  

1. Cavity Paint

If sparking or arcing in the microwave is seen on the microwave’s side walls, the paint on the metallic areas could be worn or chipped. This damage could cause pitting in the side walls or ceiling of your microwave.

I Cannot Open My Microwave Door

1. Open Lever

It is possible that your microwave lever is broken. You may need to contact a professional to replace the lever.

1. Door Spring

The microwave door spring is there to keep downward pressure on the door hook. If the door spring is damaged, it will prevent your microwave door from opening. You should contact a professional to replace it.

1. Door Latch

A broken door latch helps move around the door hook to keep the microwave door closed for not only performance but for safety as well. If broken, the door may become stuck in the locked position.

1. Door Hook

If your microwave door doesn’t open correctly, you may have a fault door hook. A door hook is plastic and may break easily with prolonged use.

1. Button or Button Spring

A microwave door that will not open may have an internal disfunction within the button or button spring.

1. Handle Actuator

Your microwave’s actuator could be broken if the door won’t open. The handle actuator is found between the door latch assembly and door button. It’s made of plastic and may become worn over, inevitably breaking. If this occurs, contact a professional to replace the handle actuator.

Help! My Microwave Exhaust Fan Is Not Working

1. Exhaust Fan Motor

If your microwave’s exhaust fan motor is don’t seem to be running, you can check a few things. You could try to remove the fan motor and check if it is running properly. Keep in mind that the fan motor may burn out over time from usage. You can try using an ohm meter, the motor should read open for continuity. If it doesn’t, the fan motor may have expired. You would need to call a professional to replace it.

1. Thermostat

A thermostat gauges the air temperature and that activates the microwave’s exhaust fan when it’s needed. If you have a faulty thermostat, then the exhaust fan cannot energize. You may need to contact a professional to replace the thermostat,

1. Main Control Board

If everything else is perfect, then the root cause might be the main control board. Contact a professional to replace your microwave’s main control board.  

My Microwave is SO Noisy!

1. Magnetron

If your microwave makes a high pitched/growling noises when in use, your magnetron might need replacing. The microwaves magnetron will utilize high voltage to induce the correct frequency needed to cook food.

1. Exhaust fan motor

Your microwave may be making a loud humming noise when in use. It’s possible that your exhaust fan motor may be faulty. Contact a professional to correct this issue.

1. Stirrer motor

If a microwave has an expired stirrer motor, it may be noisy. Overtime this part can become worn and make a grinding noise. The stirrer is a metal blade that is slowly turned by the motor. This movement helps to disperse the microwave energy in random patterns. This helps food heat and cook more evenly. Contact a professional to replace your microwave’s stirrer motor to stop  the grinding noise.

1. Turntable Motor

One common reason for a noisy microwave is from a worn- down turntable motor.