How To Repair Microwave Oven Not Heating
Microwaves are such an astonishing invention.
We may take them for granted – but I attempt to always appreciate them. Instant popcorn? Simple cooking? Dinner from frozen to pipage hot in minutes? Incredible!
But what the heck do we do when they're broken?
Of a sudden that microwave dinner becomes an unhealthy takeout and an expensive visit from a technician. Well, not necessarily.
Allow's walk through some potential explanations. First, a quick summary:
If your microwave isn't heating, first check information technology'southward non because of a setting (timer, low ability). Switch on/off and test once more with water. If information technology's still not heating, mutual problems are door frame switches, loftier-voltage diode, or the microwave's magnetron. If you're not qualified, check with a professional.
Now, every bit with any technology issue…
Make Sure You lot're Not Beingness Silly
Now, I don't mean to be condescending. We've all been there.
Oh homo! The oven's totally busted! Information technology's not working at all! Expect…
*CLICK*
….Information technology was just turned off at the wall. Woops.
There's some easy mistakes that can stop a microwave from working. Make certain that you've not:
- Ready a timer.Modern microwaves often have timer settings, and so you tin have food waiting when yous get in home. Make certain you've not simply told it to cook in 5 hours fourth dimension.
- Used the incorrect setting/mode.Bank check that you've not just set it to the lowest possible power. Or that you're trying to reheat a total frozen meal while it's on a 'keep warm' setting.
- Put something that can't be microwaved. It's a common mistake to think a microwave 'heats' everything. Instead, they oestrus the h2o within nutrient. If you've tried to microwave dry out nutrient, it likely won't accept an effect. Test with some liquid to find out.
Checked all those? Microwave withal not working? Okay, so it's disclaimer fourth dimension.
Disclaimer
The following contains information about the inner workings and parts of a microwave. Reading this doesnon brand you lot an expert on microwaves or microwave repair.
While nosotros take them for granted, microwaves are ane of the most dangerous appliances in any mod home. Do not underestimate them.Even when unplugged, the high voltage capacitor can withal hold enough power to kill someone.
Unsure? Call A Professional
Microwaves aren't uncomplicated appliances – they piece of work with a lot of power, and can exist dangerous. If you're non confident in some of the repairs below, we strongly recommend getting in touch on with a professional.
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What'southward A Microwave Fabricated Out Of?
Before we dive into which part might be broken, I want to make certain we understand what we're working with. Here'south a simple diagram of a microwave:
As per Wikipedia, a basic microwave contains:
- a loftier-voltage ability source, commonly a simple transformer or an electronic power converter, which passes free energy to the magnetron
- a high-voltage capacitor connected to the magnetron, transformer and via a high voltage diode to the chassis
- a cavity magnetron, which converts loftier-voltage electrical energy to microwave radiation
- a magnetron control circuit (usually with a microcontroller)
- a short waveguide (to couple microwave power from the magnetron into the cooking chamber)
- a metal cooking chamber
- a turntable and/or metallic wave guide stirring fan.
- a control panel
Want to understand microwaves better? Check out our full microwave buying guide.
Okay – now permit's become to the nitty gritty.
Why You're Microwave Isn't Heating
A broken microwave, similar any other apparatus, needs to be diagnosed component by component.
For those unfamiliar (or demand a refresher) on taking apart a microwave, here'due south a great video which walks through step-by-step:
Onto the components.
I've listed these out in rough order of commonality.
Earlier nosotros get started, anywhere I recommend to remove the case – brand sure you disconnect the microwave completely from power first. Then discharge the high voltage capacitor earlier continuing. Again, if you lot don't know how to do that, please don't attempt to fly it!
Door Switches
The humble door switch, if failing, volition disable an entire microwave. Since microwaves could harm usa, information technology'south essential that no microwave operates when the door's open.
This is more likely to occur on older microwaves, or those that oftentimes get slammed shut.
We can quickly check this. When you lot close the door, does the lite stay on? If and so, the door switch isn't sending the proper betoken.
In loftier-end microwaves there may even exist iii or 4 door switch detectors. And it only takes 1 failure to close-down the whole motorcar!
Diagnosis
Start up, DON'T just attempt slamming the door harder! You'll only crusade more impairment!
Instead, carefully just firmly close the door and re-check. If the door opens with a mechanical button, try pushing that downwards firmly every bit you close the door, then release when it'south closed.
However no proficient? Then the switch is probably donezo. If you take the case off, we can check the terminals of the switch with a multimeter. Push down the switch to simulate the door beingness closed, and both terminals should have continuity (the read zero when tested). If you demand a replacement, this volition need to come from your manufacturer equally each brand is different.
High-Voltage Diode
Your high-voltage diode plays a part in converting your A/C power supply into D/C power for the Magnetron. If this is malfunctioning (or has), you lot'll likely accept heard a buzzing or humming sound.
When inspecting it, it's ordinarily obvious if it'south burnt out!
Diodes can simply go bad over time, or from a bad magnetron. These are unproblematic just delicate (and inexpensive) parts which are an easy component to supervene upon. [Once again: do not try if you lot're not qualified to].
Diagnosis
These tin can be tested with a multimeter. They channel electricity in one direction and should accept a higher resistance on one end with a lower resistance on the other. If yous find a continuity with both sides, information technology's no longer doing what it'due south supposed to.
Replacements for well-nigh microwaves can be found for under $20 on Amazon.
Magnetron
Your magnetron basically IS your microwave.
This is the component that produces the microwave radiation which heats your food. It'south pretty of import.
Magnetrons use a TON of power, and any malfunction will quickly blow a fuse.
Diagnosis
These can be tested with a multimeter, and should display a reistance of around two-3 ohms. If that's fine, and then move i of the multimeter probes onto the metal casing. This shouldn't display nothing – if it does, something own't right.
If the fuse has blown, replacing the fuse isn't a adept solution. The root problem will notwithstanding lie unaddressed.
You lot'll probable need a new magnetron, and yous'll certainly need someone who tin can install it properly for you lot.
Thermal Fuse / Thermal Protector
Equally with whatever heating appliance, microwaves have overheating protection. Generally in the form of fuses.
Once diddled, these need to be replaced entirely. While this is fairly simple, the fuses themselves are not nearly as common as the fuses in your home fuse box. You'll need to get the specific parts from a manufacturer.
High Voltage Capacitor / Transformer
These work with the high voltage diode to power the magnetron. They're some of the most complex parts to replace. And, unless your microwave is make new and high-end, it's probably worth considering a new microwave entirely.
Diagnosis
If information technology's the transformer that's gone, information technology will likely have arced (like in the movies) and produce a pretty offputting odour.
These would both definitely be noticeable if you were in the room when the mistake occurred!
Control Board
The command board of a microwave is the aforementioned as a motherboard in your calculator. In controls everything.
Which ways, if information technology fails – you lot can't control anything!
If it'south faulty, it'due south doubtful the microwave volition even turn on or have any functionality. Unfortunately, this is another major component which is very complex to replace. Unless your microwave is make new, it may exist worth considering a replacement.
How Does A Microwave Work?
Microwaves first came about in the 1940'south. When an American scientist noticed his radar equipment had melted the candy bar in his pocket.
These appliances have since revolutionalized kitchens effectually the earth – just how do they work?
Actually, it's fairly simple!
Every microwave contains a magnetron, which produces high-frequency radiowaves. Or 'micro-waves'. This is similar to how radios and wifi work via waves in the air (which nosotros can't see).
The magnetron generates these waves and they're directed by a waveguide into the metallic box. They bounce effectually like crazy in there – especially when they come into contact with water. They have but the right frequency to exist absorbed by water and making the water molecules ferociously vibrate. All this miniature level of movement gives out a lot of heat. Which is what cooks our food!
This is likewise why some materials, and entirely dry objects, are unaffected by a microwave. It'due south also why microwaves are so dangerous to humans – since we're over lxx% water.
That's great – but how does a Magnetron piece of work?
Great question, and it's a trivial beyond my ability to explain well. Instead, here's the best guide I've establish to the physics behind magnetrons.
Conclusion
Microwaves have become an integral office of many of ours lives. And when they break, it can throw a real wrench into our plans for the day.
I hope this guide'south helped give yous a few things to try if your microwave'due south on the fritz. Once again, do non effort anything yous're non confident or qualified to do. If that'south the case, I'd stick to the original 'silly' tips and only let a technician take off the case and look under the hood.
If this content has helped you lot, delight consider supporting united states of america by checking out some of our related articles beneath.
Thank you for taking the fourth dimension to read this. I promise yous have a fantastic day/evening!
-Craig
Source: https://applianceanalysts.com/microwave-not-heating/
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