Faced with a broken microwave? Buttons do not work? Do not rush to call a specialist. Try checking the outlet to which you are connecting the device. To do this, include an electric kettle or any other device that consumes electricity. So you exclude at least one item from the list and become one step closer to understanding why the microwave does not work.
Easily fixed microwave problems
Sometimes the technique does not work due to external factors that are easy to fix.
Low voltage
One of the causes of microwave failure can be low voltage. Your household appliance will cease to function normally if it is less than 220 V.
In this case, individual functions may even continue to work as usual: the display shows the time, the saucer rotates, and the light inside the camera burns. In this case, the food will not be heated.
Solution - connect the device to the network through an uninterruptible power supply.
Wrong mode selected
The funniest and most common reason may be setting the wrong mode. Check if you are trying to reheat food in defrost mode. So the question is: “Why doesn’t it start?” - may fall away at this stage.
Network reboot
The last easily eliminated reason for the failure of the microwave oven is network overload. This happens when several powerful devices (an electric kettle and a TV) are connected to the same outlet at once. The solution lies on the surface: connect no more than one device to the outlet.
Microwave troubleshooting
To begin troubleshooting inside the microwave, you need to have the courage and tools. To dismantle the protective shield, a flat or Phillips screwdriver is usually used, and in extremely rare cases, pliers (not all covers are easy to remove by hand).
Before removing the screen, be sure to unplug the device and prepare a clean work surface.
Fuse breakdown
Having disassembled the microwave, first check the operation of the fuses. Most manufacturers, including Samsung, LG, Gorenie and Panasonic, produce microwave ovens with two preset fuses. If they turn black or the inner filament is burned out inside, replace them. Ideally, they should be with thick wire inside.
Important! Before you go buy new fuses, take your old ones with you. You can show them to the seller so that he picks up similar ones. Their average cost in the market is 60 rubles.
Most often, fuses fail from a voltage drop.
Condenser breakdown
A preliminary diagnosis of “failure of the capacitor” can be made in the microwave if during operation it comes from food or a weak crack. The final diagnosis is made with an ohmmeter. Connect it to the capacitor: if its arrow deviates, it is serviceable, and if not, it is broken.
Common causes of condenser failure:
- Physical deterioration.
- Failure after a power surge.
What to do in this case? If your capacitor is broken, purchase a new one on the market or contact technical service.
High voltage diode failure
What can break if you turn on the squeak and smell of burning at the same time? This burned out high voltage diode.
Checking a high-voltage diode is a difficult procedure even for professionals. Because of this, they prefer not to do it at all, replacing the burned-out element with a new one at the slightest suspicion of a malfunction.
At home, check the health of the diode as follows:
- Turn on the microwave and set the mode of heating food.
- Wait 10-20 seconds and unplug.
- If the diode is heated during the operation of the microwave, then the problem is in it.
If the diode in your microwave oven burns out, breaks, or crumbles, replace it with another. You can buy this item on the market at a price of 80 rubles.
Magnetron breakdown
Failed to detect problems in the main part of the circuit? It's time to move on to the diagnosis of magnetron. Perhaps it is he who does not show signs of life.
Magnetron is a key element in any microwave oven. He takes a direct part in the generation of microwaves in the interaction of the electron flux with the electric component of the microwave field in space.
How to determine that the magnetron is out of order? Very simple. Listen to the hum while operating the microwave. If it is, there is a high probability that this part of the device has stopped working. Confirm your guess by examining the magnetron. If cracks or black soot are visible on its surface, the problem is in it.
The old magnetron can be easily replaced with a new one by disconnecting the plugs from it and unscrewing the bolts. The new device is installed in place of the old one, fixed in the grooves and screwed to the body. Further, plugs are attached to it (snap on the contacts). Installation completed.
Since a magnetron is a key element of any microwave oven, its cost will be appropriate. A new one can be purchased on the market at a price of 1,000 rubles.
Door breakage
If the door breaks in the microwave, carry it to the technical service. It will be extremely difficult for you to fix it yourself, especially if the latch has broken or the glass has broken.
With bent hinges, the doors are a little easier. Even with minimal dexterity, they can easily be exchanged for others. The only problem is finding the right loops is extremely difficult.
Control Panel Failure
How to check if the microwave control panel has stopped working? It breaks extremely rarely and mainly due to sloppy owners. They are made strong enough to withstand several powerful blows. But if the panel breaks, you cannot do without the help of a specialist.
Repairing the electrical circuits of which it consists requires special skills and tools, which we will discuss in the next article.