How to Repair a Microwave Oven
- Unplug Power and Remove Moving Parts. Be sure the power cord is unplugged and then remove the moving parts from microwave oven.
- Open the Back Cover. There are 2 screws on right side and 1 screw on left side. They can be easily remove with normal screwdriver.
- Check the Fuse First. After open the back cover, check the fuse first. ...
- Inspect Door Switches. The next step is to inspect door switches. There are 3 switches in the microwave oven. See their location in the pictures.
- See Inside of the Switch. Open this switch to verify. In the picture, press the button down, the contacts cannot be connected.
- Buy a Replacement Part. Found the spec and model on the back of the switch, I bought a similar switch online - the grey one on the picture, ...
- Install the New Switch. The following things are connect wires to the new switch and install it properly. Just reverse the operation what I did.
- About Discharge Capacitor. In my case, since the microwave oven has stopped working and unplugged power for a long time and there is one discharge resistor in the ...
Full Answer
How to clean a microwave the easy way?
The hands-off method:
- Put some dishwashing liquid in a microwave-safe bowl and fill it with warm water. ...
- Place the bowl in the microwave and run it on high for five minutes.
- Let it stand for another five minutes. ...
- Take the turntable out and wipe it off with a damp sponge and dry it with a paper towel.
How do you fix a microwave that won ' t heat?
The first step, let's test the microwave:
- Place a microwaveable safe cup, mug, or bowl of water inside the unit.
- Press CLEAR/OFF or RESET to clear the keypad.
- Press COOK and enter 60 seconds.
- Check the water to see if it was heated.
What would cause a microwave to stop working?
- Before you begin testing, unplug the microwave oven power cord.
- Since high voltage capacitors used in microwaves may retain a charge even after the power cord has been unplugged, it is recommended to discharge the capacitor before servicing. ...
- Remove the fuse or thermoprotector from the appliance.
Why is my microwave not working?
- The microwave powers on but won’t work
- A thermal fuse stops electric current flows to your microwave as a safety setting. It helps prevent the microwave from overheating. ...
- If there’s no continuity, it means the fuse needs to be replaced.
What causes microwave to stop working?
The most common cause for a microwave oven not working at all is a blown main fuse. The microwave main fuse will cut the flow of electricity if too much current passes through it.
Can I repair my own microwave?
All can be tested and replaced to fix a non heating oven. Watch the video. A standard microwave oven is actually a simple device comprising of a transformer, diode, capacitor, a fuse and the magnetron valve. All can be tested and replaced to fix a non heating oven.
How do you fix a microwave that's not working?
1:062:48Repair A Microwave That's Not Heating - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere may be an issue with the circuit board and its connections if a qualified professionalMoreThere may be an issue with the circuit board and its connections if a qualified professional determines that the circuit board is defective the most practical fix may be to buy a new microwave.
How do I know if my microwave fuse is blown?
1:382:24Microwave Not Working? Fuse Testing, Troubleshooting & RepairYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe fuse has continuity. However if the meters needle does not move or the digital display. Does notMoreThe fuse has continuity. However if the meters needle does not move or the digital display. Does not change significantly. There is no continuity. Which means the fuse has blown.
Is it worth fixing a microwave that won't heat?
IF the repair seems easy, simple, or straight-forward, then a repair is likely your better option. If a repair seems involved, dangerous, or requires multiple stages of repair, then repairs might not be worth your time. Expense of replacement parts should also be considered when deciding whether to enact a repair.
Is it worth getting a microwave fixed?
If your microwave is relatively new and the repair costs less than replacing it, the fix is worth it. But are microwaves worth repairing if something major is broken? Probably not. Consider getting a replacement appliance for about $100, which should work for 7 to 10 years.
Is there a reset button on a microwave?
KEY TAKEAWAYS: Microwaves can stop responding due to software glitches or unintended microwave settings. Press the cancel/reset button to do a soft reset on your microwave. If necessary, perform a hard reset by unplugging your microwave for 30 minutes, then plug it back in.
Where is microwave fuse located?
Fuses are located in many places inside the microwave, including the top, side, and behind the vent grille. Using the wiring diagram can help you locate the appropriate fuse. Once you have located the fuse, remove any necessary wires and fasteners to free it from the microwave.
What causes a microwave to burn out?
Microwave does not heat If the microwave is turned on when it is empty, this cause the magnetron to burn out. A burned magnetron has to be replaced as it cannot be repaired. Other probable causes behind this problem are faulty diodes, capacitor burn, defective door switch and transformer failure.
Will microwave turn on if fuse is blown?
In the most common scenario, your microwave will start up and run with no issue. This verifies that nothing that takes just 120 volts like your door switches and electronic control is causing the issue. WARNING: Do not attempt unless you have training in appliance repair.
What happens when a fuse blows in a microwave?
Thermal fuses will blow to prevent the microwave from overheating and potentially causing a fire. A fuse will also blow if there is a surge in electricity, which can cause a short circuit.
What does a microwave fuse look like?
Most microwave fuses look like the one pictured to the left. They are usually an inch or two long. Each end is metallic and the center is either ceramic or glass. To get to the fuse, remove the outer cabinet of the unit, which is usually held in place with a few screws.
How long does it take to fix a microwave?
On average these repairs should take less than 15 minutes to complete. We break microwave repair down by common symptoms, like your touchpad is not responding, your microwave is noisy, ...
What to do if microwave is not heating?
If your microwave is not heating you need to inspect the high voltage diode, the door switch, and the magnetron. Learn to test these parts and repair your microwave. 9% of customers.
Why does my microwave spark?
Sparking: If you notice your microwave is creating sparks while running you need to inspect the internal cavity, high voltage diode, and the stirrer assembly. Learn to test these parts and repair your microwave.
Why won't my microwave tray turn?
When the tray in your microwave will not turn there might be a problem with drive motor, coupler, or roller guide.
Why does my microwave make a loud noise?
When your microwave starts making loud and unusual noises it can mean any number of things. Learn to check the drive motor, magnetron, drive coupler, roller guide, high voltage diode, and cooling fan.
What to do if microwave door won't open?
If the door on your microwave refuses to open, you may need to repair or replace the door latch lever or button. This repair guide walks you through how to test these parts and fix your microwave.
Why is my microwave noisy?
Noisy microwaves can indicate any number of issues. The problem could be anything from the stirrer motor, to the magnetron, the cooling fan, or the high voltage diode. Use our repair guide to test each part of your microwave to find the culprit.
What is the main function of a microwave?
The main function of a microwave is to heat things up, if the microwave is failing to do so , examine the high voltage diode, the door switch, and the magnetron. Our repair guide will have the fan back to work in no time.
Why is my touchpad not responding?
Touchpad does not respond. If the touchpad on your microwave does not respond but the display lights up, it is likely the membrane switch or the control board are not functioning properly. Our troubleshooting guide will help you test, repair, and replace whichever part is causing you trouble. 45% of customers.
How to remove a microwave motor?
Unscrew the current motor from the microwave with the Phillips head screwdriver and remove .
How to access microwave in back?
If you have a countertop microwave, you will likely access it in the back by unfastening the metal cover. If this is a permanent, over-the-range model, you may be able to access the inside from the front. Once inside, you will see two black wires connected to each other with a plastic casing between them.
How to remove a fuse from a syringe?
Open the casing with a flat-head screwdriver and pull the fuse free from the two wires.
How to remove a turntable from a door?
Open the door and remove the turntable by lifting it up. Grasp the coupler with your fingers (not pliers) and pull it straight up.
What to do if a coupler doesn't work?
The coupler may be stripped at the bottom so that the motor's metal shaft does not engage with the coupler. Purchase a new coupler online and replace it .
What happens when you turn on a microwave?
GFCI outlets frequently trip. Unplug the microwave, press the "Reset" button on the GFCI outlet, plugin and try again.
How to remove the access panel from a microwave?
Turn the microwave on its side (for over-the-range ovens, you can access from the bottom) and remove the access panel with a Phillips head screwdriver . Before setting the access panel aside, you may need to disconnect a wire harness that attaches to the light.
Most Common Problems
Enter the model number into our troubleshooting guide and you've taken the first step toward a microwave repair you can truly call your own. There's no good reason to turn back now, and think about how you'd feel if you did. Browse our list of symptoms and soon you'll figure out what caused the problem in the first place.
The Right Parts for the Job
We carry more than 4 million parts from over 175 major brands, so chances are, we've got the part you need.
Check the Power Source
If your microwave won’t turn on at all, then you need to check the power source. If your microwave does have power but isn’t working, then move straight to the next component.
Check the Turntable
The next component in your microwave to check is the turntable. The turntable is what rotates when your microwave is working.
Check the Display
Sometimes your microwave will display certain codes on the display screen (if you have one), and this will stop your microwave from working. To fix your microwave, you need to remove the codes.
Check the Line Fuse
If you still haven’t found the cause of your microwave not working, then you will need to check the internal components.
Check the Thermal Fuse
If you still haven’t found the source of the problem, the next component to check is the thermal fuse. The purpose of the thermal fuse is to cut the power off to the microwave when it overheats. When this happens, your microwave will stop working.
Check the Thermoprotector
The next component to check is the thermoprotector. The purpose of the thermoprotector is to cut off voltage to the microwave when it overheats. When this happens, your microwave will stop working.
Replace the Main Control Board
The final component that could be faulty is the main control board. the main control board doesn’t become completely defective very often, but it can happen sometimes. The problem is it’s almost impossible to test, so if you’ve tried everything else and still haven’t fixed your microwave, you should consider replacing the main control board.
Step 1 – Check the Power Source
The best place to start is to check the power source. If your microwave won’t turn on at all, then it might be that the power source is the cause of the problem. If the power is working, move on to step two.
Step 2 – Check the Turntable
If the microwave can turn on, the best place to start is to check the turntable. If the turntable doesn’t rotate correctly, your microwave won’t work.
Step 3 – Check the Display
The next step is to check if the display screen is showing any codes or if it is showing that the microwave is locked. If you have an error code or the microwave is locked, your microwave won’t work.
Step 4 – Check the Line Fuse
Now that you’ve checked the easy fixes, you need to check the internal components. However, you shouldn’t attempt any of these repairs unless you are experienced working with electronics. This is because microwaves are extremely hazardous to repair, as there is a high risk of electric shocks occurring.
Step 5 – Check the Thermal Fuse
The next step is to check the thermal fuse. The thermal fuse cuts the power off to the microwave when it overheats. If the fuse is blown or is faulty, your microwave won’t work correctly.
Step 6 – Check the Thermoprotector
The next step is to check the thermoprotector. The thermoprotector cuts off voltage to the microwave if it overheats. If this happens, your microwave will not be able to function correctly.
Step 7 – Replace the Main Control Board
The final step is to consider replacing the main control board. This should only be considered if you’ve checked all of the other components above, since the main control board doesn’t become faulty very often.
