Common Microwave Issues and Ways to Solve Them

Is my microwave still fixable? Or should I let it go and buy a new one? 

This mini-guide explains the most common issues microwave ovens often succumb to and the ways you can solve them. 

My Microwave Is So Noisy

If your microwave is humming, buzzing, giving a scraping sound, or other unusual noises, it could be caused by several things such as fan issues (cooling fan or exhaust fan), high-voltage diode, magnetron, drive motor, or a scratching glass plate. 

Solutions for removing the irritating sound would vary depending on your diagnosis. If you have the budget to have someone check it out, then do so. If not, go with the type of sound. For example: 

• Humming or buzzing sound could mean it’s time to replace the magnetron or faulty drive motor
• Noisy rotating plate could mean the drive coupler or plate roller requires deep-cleaning
• Listen to the area where the microwave’s cooling or exhaust fan is located. Note that not every microwave model has both types of fans. If the fan operates with loud noises, it could mean it needs cleaning. 

My Microwave Buttons Not Working

If the menu touchpad of your microwave isn’t responding, it could be an issue with the membrane switch or control board. 

What’s the difference between the two? Do you need to get deep into research about control boards? Well, not really. 

• If your problem is just one button (and other parts of the touchpad or menu works), then the issue is a faulty membrane switch. It most likely cannot be fixed, which means you’d have to replace it. 
• If all the buttons do not work, then your control board is broken. Unfortunately, it also cannot be fixed, and replacing the entire part is more expensive than buying a new microwave. As such, most electricians would recommend you just let go of your old microwave and buy a newer model.

My Microwave Isn’t Heating Food 

This instantly makes your microwave useless because the entire point of having a microwave is to heat food. The common cause of this would be voltage diode, broken magnetron or issues with the door switch. 

You’re lucky if the reason for this problem is a faulty door (loose hinges, issues with the door latch) because you can have it fixed without spending a ton of money. Once fixed, the microwave will be able to retain the heat and resume heating your food successfully. 

If the door is perfectly fine and your microwave is still unable to heat your food, then it’s highly likely that you need the magnetron or voltage diode replaced. 

My Microwave’s Plate Is Not Spinning

The microwave plate is an important part of your kitchen appliance. It is the part that is responsible for distributing heat evenly and containing the excess energy so it doesn’t spill out of the device. 

When the plate stops spinning, it could be due to a faulty coupler, plate roller, or drive motor. The rollers and the actual plate can easily be replaced. However, if they are not broken and seem to be intact, there’s a good chance the coupler or drive motor is damaged and needs replacement. 

My Microwave Starts, Then Stops Quickly

Sometimes, the microwave starts just fine, but then quickly turns off. In some instances, it doesn’t stop AT ALL.

If you’re experiencing these issues, it could be caused by two reasons:

• Broken seal door: The microwave thinks the door is still open so shuts down to let you seal the door properly. This is an easy fix and requires no troubleshooting.
• Faulty control board. If the door isn’t the issue, then the control board is problematic. The control board “controls” your entire microwave, so if it is functioning improperly, it’s probably time to upgrade to a new model.

My Microwave I’s Exhaust Fan Stopped Working

Some models have an exhaust fan (some don’t). If yours is equipped with one and it suddenly ceased to work, then you might need to clean it or replace its air filter. 

If deep-cleaning didn’t do the trick, try removing parts of the exhaust fan and cleaning them one by one. In case this still didn’t work, the exhaust fan might need replacement.

My Microwave Light Isn’t Working

Issues with the microwave light could be due to a dead lightbulb or fuse, and a faulty control board. 

Replacing the lightbulb or fuse is easy. But if the control board is the issue, you might have to get it repaired by a professional. Or worse, buy a new one completely instead.

If you’re able to fix the issues above by yourself, then good job! 

If not and you have no idea what you’re doing, it is best to leave it to the professional electricians, or if you don’t want to deal with repairs, get a newer microwave model instead.