Microwaves are among the very first appliances purchased for a kitchen. And ever since these electric gadgets were introduced to the market, they have invaded our homes and have become something we just can’t live without.
They are among the numerous marvels of technological advancement that help us save time that could be used for more important purposes than spent unnecessarily in the kitchen.
These appliances need to be maintained on a regular basis, or there could be serious consequences.
In this article, we will look at some common problems that may occur with the microwave and a few tips to resolve them.
Instead of panicking and calling for help for the smallest of things and coughing up a lot of money in the process, you should understand the common microwave problems and how to troubleshoot so that you take care of the problems yourself.
Beware: A microwave oven is not to toy. It is an electrical appliance and could be damaged further if you don’t know what you are doing. Learn about it first and then go ahead.
Common Problems with the Microwave
All appliances are prone to problems and a microwave is no different. There are numerous different common microwave problems that you may have to put up with from time to time.
1. Microwave Refuses to Turn on
This is of course is the most common problem and almost every microwave owner has to face it at one point of time or the other.
First The Basics
The first thing to do would be to check the plug and see whether it is fitted properly. You never know!
Then check the door and see if you have closed it right. OK good… no momentary laps of insanity.
Check The Fuse
The next thing might be to check if you have blown a fuse. The fuse functions as a safety device which prohibits and examines the flow of power to the microwave when currents are too strong.
Unscrew and take out the outer board of your microwave, and find the fuse by following the power cord inside the unit. If there are burn marks on your fuse or it’s black, it’s most likely blown and has to be replaced.
The Circuit Breaker
There also might be a tripped circuit breaker – you will need to reset it.
2. Fuse Constantly Blows
If the Microwave blows off the fuse constantly, check the terminus in this situation.
You can check using a volt ohmmeter. The reading should be infinity when the door is open. The reading should be zero when the door is closed. If you don’t get these reading, you need to replace the switch.
3. Capacitor Gone Bad
If the microwave Capacitor has gone bad, you should use a voltmeter and check the capacitor. The reading has to go up gradually and reach infinity.
Now reverse the probes and retest. You should get the same readings. If you don’t, there is a problem. Conduct the same test with the diode. Here, the readings must be opposite.
If not, a replacement is required. If you don’t know what has gone wrong, talk to a professional.
4. Carousel Not Working
The carousel works with the help of a small motor and it has got nothing to do with the heating process.
If the Carousel is not working, check the assembly of the roll and the ring. If all is fine, you may need to open the cabinet to fix this problem.
5. Cooking is Uneven
If you find the cooking is to slow or uneven This is among the more common microwave problems. You need to examine the power voltage to check if all is good.
Safety warning Tip: Make sure the microwave is unplugged before you start operating on it.
If the voltage is less than 115, the electrical service is the problem. A faulty motor can also cause this problem.
Inspect the motor using a voltmeter after removing a lead from its terminals and setting it to RX1. If the reading is infinity, then you need to replace your motor.
6. Door Not Functioning
The microwave door not functioning properly can signify the presence of a damaged or missing door latch. The door latch activates the switch when the door is closed.
The latch resembles a hook or prong, so make sure it’s there and does not look broken.
Otherwise, it will almost certainly need to be replaced as it can be difficult to disassemble the internal seal, or the door itself might need to be replaced.
7. Runs For A While Then Stops
If your microwave runs for a few minutes and then shuts off, the problem is caused by a defective door switch.
Inspect the door switches for any sign of burning, arcing, or overheating.
Check each of the doors for continuity, too. Replace all the switches that are damaged or that only have continuity intermittently. This problem may also be as a result of a faulty touch-pad and control.
Be sure to inspect any other components before you replace this board.
Conclusion
Now that you know of the common microwave problems and how to fix them.
If you are handy, these common tips can save you from costly trips to the repair shop. In these economic times you should at least try to fix a malfunctioning microwave yourself first. What do you have to loose. If it’s broken then it needs to be replaced anyway.
If you don’t know what is wrong and nothing works, talk to the professional.
Thinking about buying a good microwave? Buying quality appliances such as Bosch or Ariston microwave will reduce the incidence of such problems significantly and will save you money in the long term.
