Why the microwave does not heat food and how to solve this problem

A microwave is a very useful household electrical appliance that greatly simplifies and speeds up the preparation of food, as well as defrosting food. Unfortunately, sometimes it breaks. From the article you will learn why the microwave does not heat up, how to solve this problem.

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How the microwave works
What to do if the microwave does not work
Why is the microwave oven very hot
Prevention of malfunctions
Why the microwave works, but does not heat

How the microwave works

Microwave radiation has the ability to set in motion the water molecules in food. Moving, they rub against each other and the molecules of other substances. As a result, heat is generated. Radiation is able to penetrate only 2-3 cm into the surface layer of food, but it all heats up. This happens due to the heating of the inner layers with the outer ones.

microwave in the kitchen — Sometimes the microwave works, but the dish, which was put to warm, remains cold.

Advice. If you decide to cook a large piece of meat, turn the oven on medium power. It will take longer to prepare, but it will warm up well. If the power is high, the depth of penetration of radiation will not increase very much, the outer layers will overcook, and heat will reach the inner ones, in about the same way as at average power.

What to do if the microwave does not work

This can happen for many reasons. Let's consider the main ones.

Insufficient voltage

In the power grids of Russia and the post-Soviet republics, it should be 220 V. Most electrical appliances are designed for this, the microwave is no exception. Even if the voltage is less than 5 or 10 V, the microwave starts to heat up weakly or every other time. The reasons for undervoltage can be very different, ranging from malfunctions in the local electrical network and ending with the wrong actions of the owner of the microwave oven.

low voltage — Sometimes there are power outages and the voltage drops.

Technical difficulites

Let's analyze the main ones.

Problems with the wire and socket. It is enough to carefully inspect the cord and connect the oven to a different outlet.

plug with socket — Network overload is possible if 2 high-power devices are connected to the same power source at the same time.

Fuse defective. This is already a more serious problem, but it's also okay, because it was created in order to take the whole blow if something happens. Since the fuse is included in the high-voltage circuit, it is hidden in a special protective casing. The part looks like a glass flask with metal caps at the ends inside. They are connected by a wire twisted like a spring. Sometimes the wire leaves one end and it breaks. Test the fuse with an ohmmeter. If no current flows through it at all, replace it.

microwave fuse — The fuse is a metal thread enclosed in a glass or ceramic tube.

Magnetron problems

Loose contacts. Squeeze them together with pliers.

Another possible problem is the presence of drops of solidified metal and burning on the antenna cap.

The next malfunction is a broken cap. If the metal under it is intact, then the problem is with the cap, it can be replaced, otherwise it is more correct to purchase another microwave.

Carbon deposits and grease on a mica plate. It is located in the food warming compartment and is visible through the glass door.

Condenser burned out. At the same time, the stove not only stops heating, but also begins to hum very strongly. Check the capacitor with a tester, if the arrow approaches the "infinity" icon, the part is in good order, otherwise you will have to change it.

Broken diode. As in the previous case, the stove does not heat up, while making a lot of noise. There is no way to check the diode. Should be replaced even if failure is suspected.

diode in the microwave — It is not easy to establish a diode malfunction at home due to the complexity of the resistance measurement procedure.

Defective transformer. This usually produces a lot of smoke. In some circumstances, it may not be present. Measure the voltage on the winding, if it is 220 V, then the part is in good working order. Otherwise, most likely, an inter-turn closure has occurred.

microwave transformer — The winding can be changed, but it is easier to replace the transformer itself.

Damage to the inverter. Its sensors are used to determine the temperature of the food and set the heating mode. There is only one way out - to purchase a replacement part.

The timer is not working properly. He begins to live his own life, decides for the owners when to turn off the device. Replace part.

Control box defective. The detail is very complex, only a specialist can figure it out.

Advice. Unauthorized opening of the case will usually void the hardware warranty. In the case when it works for you, you do not need to repair anything yourself, bring the microwave oven directly to the service.

microwave repair photo — Without special skills, it is unsafe to make complex microwave repairs on your own, only a master can do this.

Door problems

The microwave will not work when it is open. Special latches made in the door itself are responsible for this. If they are not snug or broken, the stove either does not heat at all, or heats very badly. There are two ways out of position - to change the latches or change the doors, which one you prefer, decide for yourself.

microwave door — The microwave is designed in such a way that it will never turn on when the door is open.

Wrong mode

In defrosting mode, the microwave oven will never reheat and cook food placed in it. See if you forgot to change it. If so, the way out is quite simple - set the heating mode, if necessary, increase the power.

Why is the microwave oven very hot

This is due to insufficient cooling of the device. Either there is something wrong with the fan, or the appliance is not installed correctly. Reposition the microwave in accordance with the instructions for use.

photo of microwave — If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to start repairs at all.

If this does not help, that in the most innocuous case the fan is simply clogged, grease and dirt have adhered to it in a thick layer and do not allow it to rotate normally. The fan relay may also break. It turns on and off when it wants to, it doesn't spin as fast as needed, as a result, the case starts to heat up. It is necessary to call the master. You can't do anything here without special skills.

microwave fan — The essence of self-repair is only to replace broken parts with new ones. It will not be possible to repair the parts themselves with your own hands without experience.

Advice. If you doubt that you can independently identify and fix the malfunction, it is better not to risk it and immediately take the microwave oven for repair. Spend a little money, but you will save your nerves and the device itself. If something happens to him in the service, there will be someone to demand compensation from.

microwave oven repair — A safe bet is to call the master. He will always accurately, quickly and without problems determine what exactly the breakdown consists of.

Prevention of malfunctions

You have learned why the microwave works, but does not heat the food.As with so many things, preventing a problem is easier than fixing it. It is enough to adhere to the following rules.

microwave in the kitchen photo — To avoid malfunctions in the operation of the microwave oven, you must read the instructions for using the equipment.

No metal dishes, gold or silver plated dishes. Even inclusions of metal should not be.
When cooking vegetables with the skin, make cuts in the skin with a knife.
Handle the microwave oven with care, do not slam the door hard, put it on the tabletop smoothly, without dropping it.
Do not seal containers too tightly. Steam must escape freely.
Do not use extension cords.
Do not heat alcoholic beverages.
Position the microwave oven according to the instructions.
Do not try to cook eggs in the microwave the usual way. How to do it correctly, you can see on the Internet.
Do not let the device go to waste when nothing is lying in the oven. This is harmful to technology.
Do not connect a microwave oven and another powerful electrical appliance (refrigerator, washing machine, etc.) to the same outlet. There should always be only one microwave oven connected to a power outlet.

Now you have an algorithm of actions, if your microwave stopped heating, you know how to repair it with the most common breakdowns. If at least something remains incomprehensible, do not proceed to repair the device yourself and be sure to study the rules of electrical safety.