7 Signs that Your Microwave Needs to Be Repaired or Replaced

The microwave is one of the most convenient additions to any home design. Some homes have integral microwaves built into the vent above the stove or directly into the cabinetry. All homes have extra outlets and counter space for a countertop microwave instead.

Microwaves make it easier to make popcorn, thaw and cook frozen foods, and even boil water quickly. Your microwave might be the secret ingredient to some of your recipes. The microwave is your best friend when sick or tired and cooking is out of the question. You can trust younger members of the family to heat food in the microwave and it’s relatively easy to keep clean after the contents explode.

However, microwaves also don’t last forever. Modern microwaves are often built to only last a few years or a decade at most before it’s time to replace the unit. You can extend the life of your microwave with regular repairs and strategic part replacement. Does your microwave need the professional attention of an appliance repair technician? Let’s look at the top seven signs that a microwave needs service or replacement.  

Your Microwave is Unusually Loud

It is normal for microwaves to make a certain amount of noise. A loud hum or a soft roar are normal. However, your microwave shouldn’t always be the loudest thing in the room. More importantly, your microwave should never suddenly increase in the amount of noise it makes. This means that a mechanical part of the microwave is no longer functioning properly and may be creating internal resistance.

In a best-case scenario, the sound is coming from the drive motor which is more easily replaced. In a worst-case scenario. the sound is coming from the magnetron and the microwave should be replaced. 

The Microwave is Creating Strange Disruptive Sounds

Different from the increased roar is a microwave that makes unusual or rattling sounds when it runs. Scraping sounds could be from rotating pieces that are no longer the right alignment. This goes for easy-to-fix matters like the turntable to deep interior components like the stirrer that distributes magnetrons. If something is off, a scraping sound will occur. Rattling comes from something being loose where it shouldn’t, whether rattling is from a loose nut or a loose wire will need to be determined. If your microwave is making new or disruptive noises, it’s a smart idea to call your local technicians. 

Burning Smell or Unpleasant Smells from the Microwave

Microwaves should not produce an odor. Sometimes, there will be a lingering smell inside the microwave from something cooked previously. Even more rarely, a spill from a previous meal may have caught microwaves and begun to cook as your food is prepped. The first time you smell something strange from the microwave, take closer look for any visual flaws and clean the inside of the microwave thoroughly. If the smell returns, it may be a component of wire or plastic burning inside the microwave. Stop using the appliance immediately and call for a technician to inspect your microwave and find the source of the smell. 

Microwave Won’t Turn On or Respond

Often, microwave repairs are called when a microwave just stops responding. As far as you know the microwave has suffered no damage but the front panel just won’t respond. Maybe the microwave won’t come on at all. Maybe it will come on, but it will not send a signal from all of the available buttons. If your microwave won’t turn on, an appliance technician will get to the bottom of it. Whether your problem is the control panel, the control circuit, or even just a broken door switch, repairs can be enacted to fix an nonresponsive panel. 

Door Handle Won’t Last or is Not Working

If your microwave door has a handle, that handle might be popular hot-spot in the home. Depending on the family, cooking style, and cravings; you microwave door might be yanked open hundreds of times per day. This means that your microwave door handle needs to be sturdy and absolutely intact. A single crack can weaken that much-used door and even cause pinches as the handle slowly cracks.

Instead, have your microwave door handle replaced. If you’re comfortable taking apart the layers of your microwave door, you can a replace the handle yourself. Otherwise, you can hire a professional appliance repair technician to confirm the source of your problems and enact  

Turn Table Won’t Spin

One of the most common microwave malfunctions is the turntable not spinning. The turntable is an important component that ensures your food is evenly spun through the heating power of the microwaves from the magnetron.  Your turntable is made of the drive motor, the drive coupler, the plate, and the roller guide. The roller guide is most important for keeping everything aligned and spinning smoothly. The microwave torque and the speed comes from the drive motor and is conveyed through the plastic drive coupler.

If any of these pieces are damaged, the turntable will not spin properly. The roller guide is the easiest to replace while the drive motor is the hardest to replace due to its location and function.  

Microwave Runs Without Heat

Finally, your microwave might be going through the motions but your food is closed when it comes out. If your microwave is running, spinning, and shining a light but no heat is produced, your problem might be the magnetron itself. The magnetron heats food from the inside out. If your microwave won’t run with heat, it might be worth replacing the entire microwave. However, if a technician can identify the problem, then you have a good chance of enacting a swift and efficient service to get your microwave back into shape.

—Microwaves are not indestructible, but they are designed to be interchangeable. The good news is that it’s simple to find the real replacement parts you might need for these appliances. We can help you remove the old components and install new parts to make your microwave work correctly once again.