Why the microwave does not heat - causes, diagnosis and troubleshooting

How does a microwave oven work?

To make it much easier to troubleshoot problems found in your oven, it is worth familiarizing yourself with its main elements. The waves are generated thanks to a magnetron, which is connected to the camera by a waveguide. Power is guaranteed by a capacitor and diode. Therefore, it is possible that the microwave does not heat, but works.

There is another important element - this is a fuse that protects equipment from unexpected problems. The working chamber is an important part of the appliance in which food is placed to be heated.

To independently cope with equipment repairs when the malfunction is directly related to a defect in a certain element, you need to know the structure of the microwave. The magnetron is connected to the microwave chamber by a waveguide. The magnetron is closed on the camera side with a piece of mica or a plastic cover (this depends on the type of technology chosen). The failure of this component fully explains why the Panasonic microwave oven does not heat food.

In order to obtain high-voltage power, a special additional element (multiplier) was created. It consists of two main parts - a diode and a capacitor. A proven and high-quality fuse helps to avoid unexpected overloads. In addition, the manufacturers have provided one more point - a special lock on the switches makes it impossible to turn on the oven with the door open.

Professionals made sure that it was safe and easy for each user to reheat cooked food. But sometimes, for some reason, modern microswitches become damaged and no longer cope with their tasks, as a result of which the disk spins, but the microwave does not heat. It is important to constantly monitor this in order to avoid additional difficulties.

Specific commands are clearly visible on the device's convenient panel. The selection is made using special switches. Digital control is carried out using buttons; certain models have an easy-to-use touch panel.

Features of repairing models from different manufacturers

Despite the similarity in design and operating principle, each manufacturer uses its own secrets in the manufacture of equipment.

Taking this into account, you need to take an individual approach to repairs and pay attention to the manufacturer’s brand.

Below we will consider the features for each of the options and summarize them in a table.

What to do if the microwave does not heat

The key to proper and, most importantly, long-term operation of a microwave oven is careful operation of the equipment. A foreign object may accidentally enter the camera. You should not heat food in dishes made of metal, this will lead to trouble. To determine why the Bork microwave oven does not work, you need to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis. No special skills or equipment are needed for this; available tools will suffice, provided that the user follows professional recommendations.

What to do if the microwave heats up but does not spin? It is absolutely not necessary to immediately contact the service center for help. It is necessary to identify the damaged component, and then repair the part or replace it with a new one.

How much does the repair cost?

If you lack experience, it is better to entrust microwave oven repair to specialists. Depending on the policy of the service center and the complexity of the malfunction, the cost of work may vary.

For example, for a simple repair you will have to pay from 1000 rubles, for work of average complexity - from 3000 rubles, and for solving a complex problem - from 6000 rubles. (at the end of 2022).

Common breakdowns:

1. Buttons do not work due to damage to the control panel - from 2600 RUR.
2. Malfunction of the magnetron, capacitor - from 2550 rubles.
3. Replacement of a fuse due to blown during a power surge - from 2600 RUR;
4. Sparking in the device - from 3150 rub.
5. The start button on the microwave oven (control unit) is not pressed - from 2900 RUR.
6. Damage to the heating element - from 3200 rub.
7. Door malfunction - from 2650 RUR.
8. Breakdown of the motor for rotating the plate - from 2550 rubles.
9. The device does not turn off (timer, switch) - from 2650 rub.
10. Microwave oven does not turn on (electrical circuit) - from 2900 rub.

The exact price is determined individually after diagnostics and determination of the malfunction.

Why problems might arise

The microwave is working but the food is not heating, it will be important for you to know that certain factors are often the cause:

1. Difficulties arising with the supply voltage: to eliminate the cause, it is worth purchasing a power supply of the specified power.
2. Failure of parts - over time, the design stops working correctly, the door does not open well and the dishes do not warm up completely.
3. Setting the random mode.
4. Presence of unnecessary objects in the chamber.

Constantly monitor the serviceability of the selected microwave oven.

If your LG or Samsung microwave does not heat, be sure to check to see if the warranty period has expired. It is possible that the cause of the breakdown of household appliances was a manufacturing defect.

To determine the reasons why the microwave does not heat and is noisy, carry out a comprehensive diagnosis. Start with a visual inspection of the walls of the heat chamber and the power cable. If the microwave does not heat, you need to disassemble the device to check the functionality of the components.

It is important to know that problems in the proper operation of a microwave often lie in its careless use, violation of basic rules and recommendations. As a rule, it is mainly very cheap models that become faulty; their parts wear out quite quickly and easily. Remember that it is the users themselves who are to blame if the microwave oven refuses to heat food properly. People neglect the rules, and then suffer from the poor performance of purchased home appliances. When heating food, be sure to take special dishes and under no circumstances turn on the oven completely empty; such equipment is not provided for this.

Pay attention to some important points: the fuse has a glass bulb and metal elements. When you see a break in the chain, you need to replace it immediately.

Difficulties with the magnetron - poor quality and untested contacts (due to constant heating). The solution to this problem is simple - restoring contact using special tools. Has the cap turned black? You have to make an effort to clean it carefully. The antenna cap is damaged - carefully inspect the magnetron itself, make sure the element is in good condition. Replace the cap, and, if necessary, the magnetron: the new parts must match the installed ones in terms of power and structural features.

To prevent equipment from being used with the door poorly closed, special small switches are installed. It is important to know that often the reason why a microwave does not heat can be due to defects in the microswitch. This will require urgent replacement of parts.

Always be careful about the rules for using the selected devices. If necessary, contact trained specialists and experienced craftsmen.

The microwave does not heat - simple reasons

You decide to heat up a dish, the microwave works, but the temperature of the food does not rise. The reason can be either simple or complex. If the voltage is low, you need to install a stabilizer to correct the situation. Once you determine why the microwave is not heating food, you need to start repairing it. Is the furnace switched on in line with other appliances? Then switch some of the equipment to other outlets. Also make sure that the oven cord is not damaged.

Even old wiring can explain why the microwave stopped heating and defrosting food. Don't forget about preventive measures. It is extremely important to regularly clean the heat chamber from splashes of grease and food debris. To avoid unpleasant odors, use plastic lids and hoods.

More serious reasons

If the food does not heat up, the microwave oven does not turn on, or some modes stop working, then these are the first signs of serious malfunctions. Why doesn't the microwave heat up? Hardware components come out due to:

• normal wear and tear;
• mechanical damage;
• improper operation of equipment;
• short circuits.

To determine why the microwave beeps but does not heat food, and then fix the problem, you need to buy the appropriate spare parts.

Fuse

If the microwave disc is spinning and the light is on, but the food is not heating, then you should contact a professional. They will help you cope with the situation.

Fuse blown:

1. Remove the cover.
2. Blown fuses turn black or swell.
3. Check resistance.
4. Replace parts with proven and high-quality ones.

If the microwave operates but does not heat, disassemble the oven to check the functionality of other parts. It is possible that another component, for example, a magnetron, has broken.

In order to carefully examine the general condition of the fuses, you need to carefully remove the cover, removing the fasteners. The light in the microwave itself does not come on if the mains fuse is faulty. If you do not notice any serious external defects, then take an ohmmeter to check its condition. You can also pay attention to the condition of the cord and plug itself; they must be of high quality and without damage. This condition must be observed. There is a high-voltage fuse directly under the casing; this should also be checked. The safety of using a microwave oven depends on the reliability and serviceability of the parts.

Magnetron problems

If the microwave hums but does not heat, this may indicate problems in the magnetron. A malfunction of this part causes the microwave to turn on but not heat well. There is no need to immediately blame the magnetron for everything; this is due to the fact that well-known brands, for example, Samsung, may have problems with the solder joints of the filter coils when the lamp is operating. Remember that these difficulties can be eliminated quite simply without the help of specialists. But if there are no problems with soldering, you will need to pay attention to the channel thread.

You need to know one more rule in order not to make a mistake - the magnetron housing heats up to one hundred and fifty degrees during operation. It is for this reason that when the microwave was turned on, it was necessary to wait until the lamps cooled down. When you have checked everything and the food is not heating in the oven, replace the magnetron. But keep in mind that the new part must strictly comply with the established parameters and characteristics. You can make a replacement either yourself or by contacting the specialists whom you trust to solve this problem.

Problems with mica plate

What is the reason that the microwave does not heat food? If, after a detailed and careful check and replacement of parts, the oven turns on, but does not heat the food, an additional check of the mica plate will be required. A mica plate is necessary to cover the exit of the waveguide directly into the microwave chamber. If there is carbon deposits on the part, it will interfere with the proper operation of the oven. When serious defects appear, sparks may occur, and this, in turn, will lead to an unexpected fire. All your actions must be well thought out.

Carefully clean the plate from dust, and then carefully, following the rules, put it in place. Please note the following point: if you notice a hole in the plates, replace them as soon as possible. Show responsibility and you will prevent serious troubles from occurring.

This element can be purchased separately in the store without any problems. At the same time, if you purchased a plate from Samsung, but you need a component for Sharp, you will have to make holes for the screws.

Capacitor burnt out or diode faulty

What could be the problem if the oven stops heating? Check with a tester to see if the capacitor or diode is broken. When a problem is identified, the parts are changed. Take care of your chosen microwave oven, and then it will delight you for many years with its serviceability and positive characteristics. If problems do appear, then it is necessary to urgently begin to eliminate them. You can entrust the work to professionals or, if you have experience and relevant knowledge, cope with the tasks yourself. Do not ignore the instructions and instructions for using the purchased equipment. Valuable recommendations will help you prevent unexpected device failure.

Broken multiplier:

1. Resistance will indicate a problem.
2. Check the diode itself.
3. Damage to the magnetron.

Often, problems of this kind can be eliminated with simple efforts, without outside help: you just need to understand the documentation and replace the part. But this will require patience and careful attention to detail.

When the microwave was turned on, the light began to come on, but the equipment still does not perform specific tasks, under no circumstances should you throw it away, everything can be fixed. The whole point is that you violated certain rules for using the device. Anyone can face this problem. Eliminating defects does not always require special knowledge and skills.

If the microwave breaks down, first use the instructions, as they contain hints from the manufacturer as to why the oven may fail. If a solution is not found, check the voltage, also disconnect the device from the network and check the microswitches.

A multiplier is a part that consists of a diode and a capacitor. The reliability of the capacitor can be checked with an ohmmeter. Here you will need minimal knowledge: you saw that the device’s arrow deviates, then points to infinity, then you can say with complete confidence that everything is in order with the device. But when resistance is detected, it means there is a breakdown. This moment (problems with the capacitor) is indicated by the peculiar behavior of the equipment: it hums, but does not do the work. Replace the diode with a serviceable and high-quality one.

To repair a microwave, you need to check the component with an ohmmeter. If the readings are 0.1 Ohm, everything is fine, you can rest assured.

Checking fuses

To get to them, you need to remove the back cover by unscrewing the mounting bolts. First, check the mains fuse. If it burns out, the light in the camera will not light. If it is not smoked and upon visual inspection the wire inside is intact, it would not hurt to check with an ohmmeter to be completely sure.

It would also be a good idea to check the integrity of the power cord and plug. Then the high-voltage fuse located under the casing is checked, again with an ohmmeter. The presence of a small resistance indicates that it is intact. Faulty fuses are replaced with new ones, but not with “bugs” that can cause a fire.

Troubleshooting

A huge number of reasons why a microwave oven does not heat can be detected and solved quickly and in a timely manner. First of all, you need to prepare some tools in advance - a screwdriver, measuring instruments. These include an ohmmeter - a device that will do an excellent job of diagnosing problems in a microwave oven.

Microwave works but doesn't heat well? Troubleshooting methods:

1. Incorrectly marked mode - use the instructions to set the desired command (“warm-up”); turn on the oven for a while and make sure that the food is heating up - the problem is solved.
2. Insufficient voltage - take care to install an uninterruptible power supply.
3. Problems with the normal functioning of the door - replace parts.

If the microwave oven is no longer in good working order and cannot cope with direct tasks, first refer to the instructions, which contain a list of tips and valuable recommendations on why the oven fails. If you don't find a useful answer, check an item such as voltage. If everything is in order, unplug the oven and check other elements - microswitches.

In some situations, it is impossible to restore a non-working Samsung microwave or a device from another manufacturer. Even troubleshooting a magnetron is too costly a process. It is more rational to purchase new equipment.

Checking feed-through capacitors

They are placed on a high-frequency lamp. First, they are discharged by closing the output of each container to the housing with a screwdriver with a plastic handle. Then, using an ohmmeter, one probe of which touches the housing and the other the capacitor terminal, the serviceability of the elements is checked. If the reading is 0.1 ohm, the part is working. When zero it will have to be replaced. By connecting the microwave to the network and placing a glass of water in the chamber, at the same time they check the primary winding of the transformer. The voltage at its terminals in heating mode should be 220 V.

Checking thermostats.

Preventing damage

We looked at how to determine the cause of a malfunction, as well as how to repair a Sharp microwave oven with your own hands. Now is the time to talk about prevention, which helps prevent failure of the basic components of the stove. You can avoid serious damage by following a few simple tips:

• Under no circumstances should food be heated in metal containers;
• do not turn on the oven without placing a dish or product in the heat chamber;
• You can’t heat eggs;
• heat food in plastic containers with lids.

These are the basic rules for operating microwave ovens. More useful information can be found in the user manual and technical documentation.

Rules for caring for a microwave oven

In order not to have to figure out why the microwave oven does not work after a short period of use, you need to properly care for your household appliances. Rules for caring for your microwave:

1. The heat-resistant glass tray must be washed with liquid soap.
2. Do not use abrasive powders to clean the grates, they just need to be "soaked".
3. Promptly remove any remaining fat or food from the surface of the chamber.
4. The most unpretentious in maintenance is a microwave with internal walls made of stainless steel; they can even be cleaned with abrasive agents.
5. Under no circumstances should the oven be cleaned or washed while it is on.
6. After cooking, wipe the oven with a microfiber or lint-free cloth dampened with plain water.
7. To remove condensation from the walls of the microwave oven, wipe them with an ordinary napkin.
8. If the oven is very dirty, do not use the grill or convection mode, otherwise the grease will turn into brown spots.
9. Use cleaning products labeled as Microwave cleaner.
10. There is no need to touch the ventilation, as well as the compartment in which the magnetron is located.

These simple tips will help your microwave operate longer.

Useful tips

In order not to waste time determining the reason why the Daewoo microwave stopped heating, you need to adhere to the basic rules for operating the equipment:

• toxic cleaning powders can get into food or damage the magnetron;
• dirt and grease from the body can be removed with a damp cloth;
• to remove dirt from the door, use a damp sponge and wipe the insulation;
• It is advisable to wipe touch panels with dry wipes;
• to get rid of an unpleasant odor, heat a glass of water with a slice of lemon;
• Reheat food by covering it with a special plastic lid to keep the walls of the heat chamber clean.

If the enamel inside the microwave has peeled off, be sure to paint over the damaged areas.

Repair rules

Unqualified repairs often lead to negative consequences in the form of health problems or worsening microwave malfunctions.

To eliminate such moments, follow these rules:

1. Always relieve tension before carrying out repair work. To do this, remove the cord from the outlet.
2. Use protective gloves made of dielectric material that can protect against voltages up to 1000 V.
3. Perform repairs/diagnosis using tools that have insulated handles.
4. Do not apply voltage to the microwave after parts have been removed, without food, with the door open, or if there is a suspected malfunction.
5. Discharge the capacitor before checking, removing or replacing. For this
6. Be careful and check the microwave oven for metal objects inside after repair. ATTENTION: It is normal for a spark to jump between the housing and the capacitor.
7. Do not drill holes in the case, as this may damage the device.