We rely on microwaves whenever we want to reheat and cook meals in an instant. But when they stop heating food properly, they can become a frustrating problem in the kitchen.
If this happens to you, then you need to understand what could be causing the problem so that you can find a solution right away.
High Voltage Capacitor Malfunction
If your microwave is running but not heating, yet the door is closed properly, and the control panel is functioning correctly, then the problem may be related to the high voltage capacitor. The high voltage capacitor is responsible for storing electrical energy that powers the magnetron, which generates the microwaves that heat the food.
Faulty Magnetron
If the high voltage capacitor is functioning well, but the microwave isn’t heating, the issue may be due to a malfunctioning magnetron. The magnetron is responsible for producing the electromagnetic waves that heat the food. If it fails, the microwave will not operate as intended. As a result, you may notice your microwave is running but not heating the food like it’s intended to.
The causes of magnetron failure can vary, but common reasons include age, general wear and tear, or a power surge that damages the internal components. Sometimes, the use of metal or aluminum foil in the microwave can cause a short circuit that damages the magnetron.
Diagnosing a failing magnetron can be challenging for the average person since it requires technical knowledge and specific tools. All-in-all, if you think a faulty magnetron could be why your microwave is not heating, it’s a good idea to reach out to an expert for assistance with the necessary microwave repair or replacement. Source: Appliance Doctors
Broken Turntable Drive Coupling
The turntable drive coupling enables the glass turntable in your microwave to rotate. If it’s damaged, the turntable will not turn properly and your food will not be cooked evenly. If the coupling does turn out to be defective, you’ll need to replace it. Carefully follow the safety instructions provided at the beginning of this article when carrying out this operation.
Faulty Turntable Motor
The turntable motor ensures that the food you put in your microwave is cooked evenly. If the motor develops a fault, the microwaves will not be distributed properly and your food will not be cooked evenly. If your microwave’s turntable will no longer rotate, you can check the motor by testing it with a multimeter in ohmmeter mode. First find where the turntable motor is located underneath the appliance. Next, disconnect all the connectors and place the multimeter’s probes on the motor’s terminals to test for continuity (you should get a reading). If the resulting value oscillates between 6 and 11 kilo ohms, the motor is in good working condition. If this is not the case, it will need to be replaced. Important: carefully read the safety instructions at the beginning of this troubleshooting guide before carrying out any work on the microwave. Source: SOS Parts
Wrong Settings
If you start wondering, why will my microwave not heat?, the first thing you should do is double-check your microwave settings. You may have accidentally opted for a lower power setting that isn’t strong enough for reheating the dense pasta dish you have inside the microwave. Adjust the settings to properly heat the food.
The problem could also be with the microwave wattage. If you have a 600W model but you’re trying to reheat a casserole, the microwave may just not be right for your needs. If that’s the case, it may be time to start shopping for a new microwave with a higher wattage. Source: Angi
If the solution is not a DIY one and you have no experience of fixing appliances, then perhaps it’s time to call a professional to tend to this matter. You can get in touch with us here at Better Care Appliance Repair and we’ll ask our experts here to fix your microwave right away. Just give us a call!