How annoying is it to need to use an appliance that doesn’t work? It is probably one of the inconveniences that need to be solved quickly to continue with our lives. In particular, microwaves are widely used in these times of accelerated activity.
That is why here you will be able to learn how to fix a microwave with no power. There are some useful steps that many people can do in a very simple way. This way, you will be able to use your microwave again, and at the same time save some money.
So, you won’t need to hire a technician to repair this appliance. Therefore, you only need to take a digital multimeter that can measure continuity. Once you are ready, you can then begin to perform each of the following four steps. In other words, repairing your microwave will no longer be a problem like it used to be.
Step by Step to Fix a Microwave
Below, we can list four main steps that are important to learn to repair a microwave. These are four tasks that a large number of people can do without much knowledge. Of course, this is a great way to save some money and repair your microwave by yourself.
- The door and its switch
When analyzing a microwave it is necessary to consider that the reasons and failures can be varied. One of them is that the microwave is not heating due to some failure in the door switch. This is a very common failure that happens with the vast majority of this type of appliance.
Here you can also learn about this component as an interlock switch. In particular, this is the switch that informs the microwave when it can start working or when it should be turned off. So it needs to be in good working order along with the door when it is closed and when it is opened.
Even in a microwave, it may not work with all the other components in perfect working order. Here the signal that the door is closed is simply not sent and therefore the microwave does not turn on. Here you have to assemble the cabinet and for that, you, of course, have to unplug the microwave.
You will notice that the switches have NO terminals for normal opening and C for common. You will need to check each of these terminals for continuity. So here you must have a multimeter and use it with these terminals.
Most likely, one of these switches does not have continuity and therefore you must make a replacement of these parts. To take advantage of this opportunity you can also check the door hooks. If these parts are in good condition then you can continue to check other parts of the microwave.
- The ceramic fuse
Here the ceramic fuse could have deteriorated and caused the microwave to malfunction. The microwave simply won’t turn on, and it is highly likely that it is because of this fuse. It is necessary to understand that the microwave has some protection components against a complete loss of energy.
Even if there are some harmful energy fluctuations, the ceramic fuse acts as excellent protection. So when this component is damaged and fails we can only expect a malfunction of the microwave. Because it is one of the most important parts of the microwave, you should necessarily check if this fuse is still working properly.
Again, you should take your multimeter and start checking these components. A digital multimeter is recommended here, as they are easier to use. Once you have your multimeter you should check again if there is continuity in this component. If you have checked that the fuse is in good condition, then you should check the microwave again.
There are even other microwave components you can test. This way you can compare the continuity of the ceramic fuse with other parts of your appliance.
Some recommended components, in this case, are the transformer, the capacitor, the high voltage diode, and the magnetron. In all these cases the continuity should be present and you will be able to see it in your multimeter.
You may also like: Best Microwave Toaster Oven Combo
- Cut out or thermal fuse
Another major drawback could be found in the thermal fuse. So here you should check if this component is damaged and know how to repair microwaves. This is also another very common reason why a microwave simply stops working from one moment to the next.
Here it is necessary to mention that all microwaves have some components that prevent overheating. If the microwave oven overheats, then certain vulnerable components inside could easily fail. That’s why thermal fuses or thermal cut-offs help to avoid these serious damages.
At the same time, microwaves have some safety measures to avoid making some problems worse. One of them is that a microwave simply won’t turn on to avoid an excessive increase in temperature. Again, you will need to remove the cabinet once you have unplugged the appliance.
Here it is important to find the exact location of the thermal fuse to unplug the wires from these components. If you have a multimeter on hand, use it to check continuity. If you do not see continuity in the multimeter, you will need to replace these components.
This is also an excellent opportunity to keep the airflow correct. In a few simple steps, you can check that the cooling fan is in good working condition. In particular, this part is the one that allows you to lower the temperature of the microwave.
- The door latch and other components
Another problem with microwaves stopped working, no power could be these particular pieces. You may notice that this is a set of plastic hooks that are always seen next to the door. In particular, these hooks are not only responsible for locking the door, but they also fulfill other additional functions.
As soon as you close the door, these hooks activate a certain switch on the inside. Specifically, this turns on the microwave mechanism and allows the operation to begin. In other words, it is a safety system that prevents the microwave from turning on and the door from opening.
If a microwave turns on with the door open, it would not be pleasant for the people around. Even the microwave may not turn on if these hooks are too worn or damaged. Here, these components simply won’t do their job and the microwave won’t be told it can work.
Here you will need to remove the inner door panel to find out where the problem is. Of course, the microwave must be turned off to avoid the danger of electrocution to the person. If you see that the door latch is not working properly, then you will need to replace these parts. Otherwise, you will not be able to use and turn on the microwave.
FAQs
Once you check a fuse it is very easy to know if it is blown or is in good working order. Here, a blown fuse most likely has melted filaments.
Also, burn marks are very obvious and can be easily noticed. You can also use a digital multimeter to check the continuity. When there is no continuity in a fuse, then the part must be replaced.
Generally, microwaves do not include a dedicated reset button on a unit. Here, a quick and efficient way to reset a microwave is simply to unplug it from the electrical outlet.
In the case that your microwave is relatively new and the repair is not very expensive, then it is worth the repair. However, this does not always happen and sometimes the microwave is too old.
Here, even if the repair is very cheap, the microwave will probably fail again in a short time. So sometimes it is simply preferable to purchase a new microwave instead of repairing the old one several times.
Final Words
After performing all these steps you will be able to check that the microwave works as before. Here you will be able to notice that this procedure is really useful to save some money. In other words, it will not be necessary to hire someone to do the work you can do yourself.
It is certainly worth learning how to fix a microwave with no power. You may even find out if you need to replace and purchase a new microwave.
So keep in mind that microwaves, as well as other appliances, can offer a lifetime of use. So, fixing an appliance only allows you to get a little more life out of it. However, it would be advisable to start thinking about a new microwave.