There's no doubt that homeowners rely heavily on their microwaves, thanks to their ease of use and heating. But what if yours breaks? We'll certainly try to fix it, no matter the cost. Read on to learn more about microwaves not heating—the causes and maintenance methods.
Microwave not heating: Causes and repair methods
There are many reasons that can cause a microwave to malfunction. The following is a malfunction where the microwave does not heat up... the causes and the maintenance method:
1. Microwave door switch fault
Most of the time, you will find that the microwave door switch does not close properly, especially when the door is closed repeatedly. To make sure that the door is still open, you will find that the light is still on. In addition, a multimeter is used to test all the switches in the door to determine if there is a malfunction.
On the other hand, when a malfunction occurs in the microwave door switch, you will notice that the fan continues to operate, which results in a heating failure. The solution to this problem is to replace the microwave door switch.
2. Faulty magnetron that generates heat for the microwave
If the magnetron fails, it can blow the fuse, which can cause other microwave malfunctions. You can check this by unplugging the unit, removing the cabinet cover, and safely emptying the high-voltage capacitor. Then, check the magnetron with a multimeter. If it reads between 2 and 3 ohms of resistance, the magnetron is working. Use a single nail to touch the metal casing that surrounds the magnetron. If the result is zero, there is a problem. In this case, you must empty the capacitor correctly while using a screwdriver with a rubber handle or any other safe tool.
On the other hand, if the magnetron is faulty, it should be replaced by a technician specializing in this matter, and it is better to purchase a new microwave.
3. Diode fault
A diode is a part of the microwave's internal components that helps direct and supply electricity in one direction to the magnetron. It is usually located behind the front panel of the microwave, close to the control panel. If it burns out, it will not generate power for the magnetron or even heat the food. You can remove the cover of the device with a screwdriver. Here, there should be a low resistance in one direction and a high resistance in the other direction.
If this does not happen, you will need to replace the diode, which requires the assistance of a technician who specializes in checking the high-voltage microwave power circuits.
4. High voltage capacitor failure
A high voltage capacitor works with a high voltage diode to convert the transformer output to DC voltage and double the output voltage. If the capacitor burns out, the high voltage circuit will stop working completely, resulting in the food not heating up. To determine if the high voltage capacitor is faulty, use a VOM meter along with the capacitance test.
A microwave oven can store large amounts of electricity with a high-voltage capacitor, so it's best to replace it manually or have a technician replace it.
5. High voltage transformer fault
Microwave ovens produce extremely high voltage to power the magnetron antenna, which in turn emits energy that helps cook and heat food. It's worth noting that when a high-voltage transformer fails, it's usually because it's bent.
You should keep in mind that it is dangerous to repair this fault at home, so contact a technician to replace and repair it.
6. Thermal fuse failure
The thermal fuse cuts off power to the microwave if it gets too hot. To determine if the thermal fuse has blown, use a thermometer to test its longevity.
If the fuse does not have continuity, it must be replaced, as you cannot reset it again.
On the other hand, you will find that the microwave oven stores many volts of electricity in a high voltage capacitor.
7. Thermal protector malfunction
The thermal protector cuts off power to the microwave when there is an overheating. To determine if the thermal protector is faulty, use a multimeter to test for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the thermal protector.
8. Main control board malfunction
This point rarely happens, but you can take help from a technician, and if he says that all components are working properly, then the board is replaced.
9. Set a timer to cook several hours in advance.
Some microwaves become damaged due to misuse, so you can always unplug the oven to reset it.
10. Heating food that should not be placed in the oven
If the food is not heating up quickly, it is either too dry or too low in fat.
How to maintain a microwave?
It is maintained through the following steps:
- Unplug the microwave.
- Then remove the rotating disc.
- Extract the rotating element from inside the oven.
- Remove all items from the microwave.
- Clean it with a sponge.
- Finally checked everything inside.
popping sound in microwave
When you hear a popping sound, it's because you're heating certain types of food in the microwave. When you heat water quickly, steam starts to rise. But when it comes to steam coming from food, there's no outlet inside. When it reaches the maximum temperature, you start to hear the popping sound.
Sharp microwave malfunctions
- No heating, magnetron fault
- spark inside the microwave
- loud noise in microwave
- Microwave plate fault
Sharp microwave not heating
When you find that your Sharp microwave is not heating, this is sufficient evidence that there is no fat in the food you are heating in that oven.
It's worth noting that the microwave is an important electrical appliance in any home, but the most common malfunction is when food doesn't heat properly. There are many reasons why a microwave doesn't work, so we previously discussed the microwave's failure to heat... the reasons and maintenance methods.