The microwave oven may not work for various reasons. Some of them require serious repairs, simple problems can be diagnosed and fixed on your own. In this article, we will look at the reasons why microwave ovens stop heating.
It Doesn't Turn On
The following reasons are united by one main symptom - the oven won’t turn on. The machine does not respond to buttons and rotary switches if:
- high voltage fuse is blown;
- the fan is faulty - because of this, the transformer/magnetron has overheated, in such cases the microwave oven works, and then it turns off;
- the mains cable or plug is damaged.
In these cases, it is better to contact Panasonic appliance repair services to fix the problems.
Buttons Don't Work
Microwave ovens come with the following types of controls:
- mechanical - with rotary switches and buttons;
- touch - equipped with an electronic board that expands the functionality of the microwave, the buttons on the control panel are touch-sensitive.
Buttons may not work for various reasons:
- The sensor contacts are stuck together or the button is stuck - for this reason, the “Start” button often does not work. This is because users press it most often.
- The cable connected to the control board is damaged.
- Microcircuit tracks are damaged - they can be oxidized, this usually happens with devices that have been operating for more than 5-10 years.
In most cases, LG appliance repair specialists change the control module to a new one.
Tray Is Not Spinning
A plate or tray in the microwave chamber is rotated by a built-in motor. The following faults are possible:
- The coupling that connects the motor shaft and the plate is worn out. This part is also called the drive clutch.
- The gearbox is broken. This element transmits movement from the motor shaft to the plate. The specialist can replace the gear separately. It will cost less than a complete engine replacement.
- The motor winding is damaged. With this breakdown in the working chamber of the microwave, you can smell a slight smell of the varnish. The engine needs to be replaced.
It Doesn't Heat Food
The microwave may stop heating due to a breakdown of:
- Transformer - in this case, the device makes an unusual noise, there is a smell of burnt plastic, and smoke comes from the back of the microwave oven.
- Magnetron - the mica plate that is usually located on the right side of the working chamber can burn out, this malfunction is accompanied by sparks.
To determine which part is faulty, you need to remove the metal case of the device and test the magnetron/transformer with a multimeter. In most cases, they are beyond repair and should be replaced.
The Timer Is Not Working
Signs that the timer is not working in the microwave:
- the appliance does not heat up;
- the rotary switch does not rotate when setting the time and starting the heating program;
- a long heating time that exceeds the user-defined one - in this case, the mechanical timer cycles the rotary switch more slowly.
The timer in the microwave can be of two types:
- Mechanical. It has gears and a small motor that rotates the elements of the system. Such timers are usually installed on budget models; they have a rotary switch.
- Electronic. It has a clock function. Such timers are usually used in microwave ovens, which are equipped with additional functions: automatic programs, and delayed start.
An electronic timer usually requires replacement or re-soldering by a qualified technician. A mechanical microwave timer may not work for two reasons:
- dirty housing - gears and timer elements are covered with grease;
- problems with the mechanical part - the springs weaken or the gear teeth break off.
If the motor that rotates the gears burns out, the element must be completely replaced.
How to Fix a Microwave Oven
Replacement of most parts of the microwave oven should be entrusted to a specialist. You can do the following yourself:
- Clean the ventilation grilles from dust and dirt - this may cause the device to overheat.
- Clean the mica plate from contamination or replace it with a new one.
- Remove the tray plate and fastening (coupling) and clean the lower part of the working chamber and the hole into which the coupling is inserted. If the part is damaged, you can replace it yourself.
- Check if there is voltage in the outlet - connect another electrical appliance to it.
In more complex cases, do not carry out repairs yourself, contact the service department. Experts can quickly solve problems with your microwave oven.
