The situation when the microwave does not turn on causes many negative emotions. Moreover, there are several reasons for such trouble. And if some of them can be solved even at home, the rest require repair at a service center or inspection by a specialist.
It’s one thing when there are visible signs of a malfunction in the operation of a technical device (it smokes, crackles, heats up weakly or overheats). In this case, you can at least describe the problem or try to eliminate its source yourself. When, after being plugged into the network, the microwave oven is silent and does not show any signs of working condition, then it is worth understanding in more detail.
Why the microwave doesn’t work: it doesn’t heat food, or it doesn’t turn on at all
The device does not turn on or the microwave works but does not heat - what to do?
There can be several reasons for such a problem - from the simplest to quite complex. Sometimes it happens that the problem is completely different, and the owners are wrong to use the microwave oven. If such a situation arises, you need to start small. HELPFUL INFORMATION!
Many home craftsmen, deciding that they are already quite experienced, overestimate their strengths and, at the slightest malfunction, begin to look for the problem in the depths, while it lies on the surface. The result of such repairs may be complete failure of the microwave oven. After this, no specialist will undertake its restoration. Sometimes there is no need to even open the device for repairs - the solution may lie on the surface
Independent actions
Having noticed that the microwave oven has stopped working, first disconnect the power. Sometimes a breakdown is accompanied by additional symptoms:
- smoke from the hardware. Indicates that one of the parts has burned out and further operation is impossible;
- smell of burning, burnt oil. Also indicates burnout;
- sounds that are not typical for standard operation. Clicks and hums are signals that a certain part is about to break. But now it may be possible to restore it. Therefore, the work is stopped and a specialist is called.
It is recommended to remember the symptoms and tell the technician to make it easier to diagnose the malfunction. It is not advisable to open the lid yourself; it is not advisable to touch the parts.
About repairing a microwave oven with your own hands in detail using the example of a Samsung oven
Let's start with the simplest faults that may arise during operation. You shouldn’t immediately run to the store for a new device or to a service center and take the device in for repair. Most problems can be fixed on your own.
Minor microwave malfunctions and how to fix them
Quite often, door latches fail. This can be avoided if you do not slam it or open it with a sharp jerk. Often malfunctions are the fault of the user himself. To repair, you will need to purchase a locking mechanism and replace it yourself.
HELPFUL INFORMATION!
Under no circumstances should you turn on a microwave oven with the door unlocked.
Modern models are automatically protected from this, but older models can turn on if you press the door with your hand, however, this is strictly prohibited. If there is any slightest malfunction of such a unit, you should immediately disconnect it from the network and begin repairs or seek help from specialists. The door should be opened and closed carefully, without unnecessary jerks or slams. If the Samsung microwave does not turn on, the cause of the “breakdown” may be a voltage drop in the main power supply.
It’s convenient if you have a multimeter at hand - you can measure the voltage in real time. If there is no such device, you can approximately determine the network parameters using a wire with a socket and an incandescent lamp - the voltage drop is clearly visible from the heating of the coil. However, be prepared for the fact that if the norm is greatly exceeded, the lamp will burn out or even burst. This situation, if it often occurs, can be corrected by installing a stabilizer at the input to the apartment or separately at the microwave outlet. This could be the voltage in the outlet - why be surprised that the microwave doesn’t work?
VERY IMPORTANT!
The microwave oven cannot be turned on empty. In the absence of a heating object, microwaves begin to reflect from the walls of the device. Sooner or later they will damage the magnetron. Repairing it is already quite difficult; it’s easier to buy a new one. This is what happens if you turn on the microwave empty.
Microwave design and operating principle
Despite the fact that the market is filled with various design options from almost all brands of household appliances, such as Panasonic, Samsung or Elgie, all ovens are designed approximately the same. So, the design has the following components:
- magnetron - to generate energy;
- transformer - for energy conversion;
- rectifier (also called a high-voltage diode);
- heating chamber with or without a tray (the presence or absence of a rotating tray determines the location of the magnetron);
- pallet motor (in models with a rotary table);
- fan;
- models with a grill have a heating element - regular or quartz;
- power cord with plug for connecting to the mains.
After connecting to the network and starting the MVP, voltage begins to be supplied to the windings of the transformer; its task is to increase the voltage and provide accelerated heating.
The magnetron is connected to induction coils, it creates a high-frequency electric field - food is heated in it. Since any MVP is a complex electrical device, the designers took maximum care of the user’s safety. For these reasons, a phase and power supply protection relay is provided. These relays block the operation of the device when the door is opened or after a power surge.
Do-it-yourself microwave oven repair for more serious problems
There may be several reasons why the microwave has stopped heating. Most often these are problems:
- control unit (timer malfunction);
- power network;
- fuse (a sudden surge in voltage can damage it);
- capacitor;
- high voltage diode;
- magnetron (the most expensive part of a microwave oven).
Now let’s try to figure out in detail how it is possible to eliminate such breakdowns - how to fix a microwave oven with your own hands. Repairing a microwave oven with your own hands is possible, but requires care and precision
Do-it-yourself microwave oven repair if the control unit fails and the timer malfunctions
First, unplug the microwave oven, unscrew the screws on the back, and remove the protective cover. Next, we carefully inspect the control board for burnout of conductive paths, swelling, and burnout of elements. It happens that a microwave begins to take on a life of its own – it can spontaneously turn on, turn off, or refuse to work.
Here the problem may be a faulty touchpad. In any case, although such parts can be restored, they will not work for long. It is much more cost-effective to purchase a new unit or keyboard, installing them in place of the old ones.
IMPORTANT!
When purchasing replacement parts, choose those marked with the same markings as those previously installed. This way you will save yourself from unnecessary costs. By the way, such purchases cannot be returned or exchanged. Repair of the control unit - soldering of jumpers to replace burnt tracks
The microwave works, but stopped heating due to problems in the power circuit
This happens quite often. The first step is to check the magnetron circuit fuse (high voltage). If it burns out, the backlight of the microwave oven and the rotation of the platform remain in working order, and power is not supplied to the magnetron (microwave gun). This can be treated by replacing the high-voltage fuse. This is what a high-voltage fuse looks like in a protective casing
Why does the microwave work but does not heat food: checking the capacitors
The microwave oven circuit contains a multiplier capacitor as well as pass capacitors. All of them should be checked using an ohmmeter (the multimeter also has such a function). They can be the reason why the microwave turns but does not heat. If faulty ones are found, they should be replaced. It makes sense to check the high voltage diode. If it does not “ring” in either direction, you need to replace it. High voltage diode - if it does not ring, it should be changed
The microwave oven works, but does not heat: we are looking for the reason in the magnetron
The main and most expensive part of a microwave oven is the magnetron. If all of the above problems are not confirmed, then the problem is more serious than initially thought. Most often, the filament burns out, which can be checked by measuring the resistance.
If there is no resistance, then concerns about unnecessary costs are confirmed. This will be the reason that the microwave works, but does not heat. There is no point in repairing the magnetron - the work is quite labor-intensive. It's easier to buy a new one.
Magnetron is the most expensive part of a microwave oven
IMPORTANT!
Before purchasing, copy down the data of the old magnetron and its markings. It is better to take the burnt part with you along with the rewritten markings for comparison.
In what cases should you immediately contact a specialist?
If your Samsung microwave works but doesn’t heat up, and you haven’t been able to figure out the reason for this, contact a specialized workshop. In some cases, the breakdown cannot be repaired with your own hands. Don’t know how to handle a resistance meter, have you ever disassembled electrical appliances? Give up the idea of getting into an expensive mechanism. You should not experiment with copies of unknown manufacturers without having the device diagram at hand.
The microwave oven has long become an essential household appliance in our kitchens.
Why does a microwave oven spark during operation: reasons, solutions
Most often, the cause of such a malfunction is user inattention. Turning on a device with an empty platform, metal objects in a working device, drops of dried fat on a mica plate - this is what can cause such a nuisance.
Even utensils with gold or silver rims cannot be used for microwave heating, let alone stainless steel or enameled steel utensils. Let's look at the causes of sparks and methods for eliminating them.
Microwave oven malfunctions causing cracking noises and sparks
A mica plate, if it is not promptly cleaned of any grease that has fallen on it, begins to deteriorate over time. This happens due to the heating of food debris accumulated on it. As a result, a small black speck appears on the mica plate (microwave diffuser), which quickly grows during operation of the microwave oven. The process is accompanied by smoke, sparks, and crackling sounds. Consequences of burning a mica plate (microwave diffuser)
Crackling and sparks inside the microwave: what to do, how to troubleshoot
The first step is to thoroughly clean the inside of the microwave oven. To replace it, it is better to purchase a larger plate. Having attached the old one to it, we cut out the required shape with ordinary scissors, and sand the edges with sandpaper. Next, we mark and drill holes for the mounting screws, after which all that remains is to fix the cut plate with self-tapping screws. Mark the outline of the old plate with a pencil and cut out a new one
IMPORTANT INFORMATION! After removing the mica plate, pay attention to the condition of the magnetron cap. If necessary, it should also be replaced. Another cause of crackling and sparks can be peeling of the camera enamel. This happens when too large dishes are placed in the oven to heat up. It rubs against the walls, leaving scratches that lead to sparks and can easily damage the magnetron. If scratches appear, perform the following actions.
- Thoroughly wash the chamber to remove dried fat.
- Clean the scratches with sandpaper and degrease.
- We apply a primer, and then 2-3 layers of enamel (food grade, fireproof or electrically conductive).
- We wait for it to dry completely, after which the device can be used.
This kind of microwave oven cannot be used - it requires restoration and replacement of the mica plate, which is already starting to burn out.
Prevention
The cessation of heating by a microwave oven is associated with wear and tear of certain functional components. The wear process can be slowed down if you follow our recommendations. Avoid the following:
- do not place spoons, forks or other metal objects (including utensils) into the chamber;
- do not run the equipment idle;
- containers with raw eggs and liquids sometimes explode (this damages the device);
- Contamination and excessive pressure on the touchpad will cause it to fail.
Other possible malfunctions: causes, solutions
It happens that heating is produced, the light inside the chamber lights up, but the platform does not rotate. The reasons for this may be:
- incorrect installation of the plate;
- broken drive gears;
- engine failure;
- bad contacts.
The problem with the plate is easily solved - you just need to fix it. If this is not the reason, you will have to disassemble the device. Failure of gear gears is a problem that occurs more often in new models of microwave ovens.
In pursuit of reducing the cost of the product, the manufacturer began installing short-lived plastic gears (older models had metal ones). If this is the reason, then the sore is treated by replacing the gearbox - restoring the gear teeth is unrealistic. The plate must fit neatly into the grooves. The gear motor that rotates the tray may fail under the influence of power surges. In this case, one of the stator windings burns out. The result is motor failure.
Previously, engines could be sent in for repairs. They were rewound and they could function again. Today, such workshops no longer exist: in the event of such a breakdown, you will have to buy and install a new one. The main thing is to clearly and correctly rewrite the markings. Otherwise, the engine simply will not fit your model. The solution to the problem of bad contacts is quite simple. All connections must be cleaned of oxide, if necessary, tightened and connected in the reverse order.
What to do if the microwave oven does not turn on at all
If the microwave does not turn on, the reasons should be sought in the 220 V socket, plug, wire or fuse. The socket is checked, the wire and fuse are checked using a multimeter. The faulty part is replaced with a new one. If you think about it, this is the simplest problem that can happen to your microwave oven. A blown microwave oven fuse needs to be replaced.
If the profit center does not turn off
It happens that the microwave oven breaks down and refuses to turn on - this problem is similar to the one to which we devoted a review, when the microwave oven does not work. In this case, a breakdown is to blame or normal operation is interfered with by broken settings. To find out the reason, you will have to read the user manual - if the settings are to blame, the manual should describe how to solve the problem.
The check comes down to inspection:
- Voltage relay , which is responsible for turning off the equipment. If the contacts are stuck, simply clean them.
- Checking the relay requires disassembly and requires a tester. If there is a break in the relay, the element is replaced.
Important! After carrying out independent actions, assemble the equipment and test it by placing a glass of water inside. It is strictly forbidden to run the device empty.
Let's sum it up
A microwave oven is a necessary household appliance for any home. But to ensure it works smoothly and your food doesn’t stay cold, you need to keep an eye on it. It is better to wipe off any drops of fat that fall on the walls of the chamber immediately, and do a full wash at least once a week. This will prevent burnout of the mica plate, as well as failure of the magnetron.
Plates with a silver or gold pattern are direct damage to the equipment, this should also be remembered. The dishes should match the size of the rotating tray or be slightly smaller - this will protect against scratches on the walls of the chamber. By following these simple rules, you will extend the life of your microwave oven for many years.
Take care of your equipment - this will extend its service life for many years. We hope that the information presented in today's article was useful to our dear reader. Despite the fact that we tried to present it in the most accessible way, perhaps some of you still have unclear points or have questions while reading. Describe the point in the discussions below.
Our editorial team will try to answer all questions and clarify unclear points as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Have you ever had a problem with your microwave that you solved on your own? Write about it - such experience will be useful for beginning home craftsmen. Ask, communicate, share opinions. And finally, we suggest watching a video about repairing microwave ovens with your own hands.
Safety precautions
Do not forget that repairs to a microwave oven can only be carried out if you have experience working with electrical engineering. In addition, you should adhere to all safety rules specified in the instructions for use.
List of basic rules when repairing a device:
- It is forbidden to start the device if the door does not fit tightly to the body.
- The stove should be repaired only after disconnecting from the power supply and completely discharging the capacitor.
- It is allowed to replace parts only with high-quality analogues.
- Never operate a stove with a faulty fan system.
- Before carrying out diagnostics, it is necessary to place a container of water inside in advance.
