does not heat up and cook
Everything on microwave works but it does not heat up and cook
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None of these fixes should be attempted by a novice. personally I won't work on one!
Cause 1
Diode
The diode converts the A/C power output of the transformer to D/C, doubling the voltage to nearly 5,000 volts. This high voltage powers the magnetron to heat the food. If the diode burns out, the magnetron won’t receive enough voltage to operate, preventing the microwave from heating. When the diode fails, it is often visibly burned out. Inspect the diode and if the diode is burned out, replace it. If inspecting the diode proves inconclusive, test it with a multimeter that uses a 9-volt battery or put a 9-volt battery in series with the diode. When the leads are reversed, the diode should only have continuity in one direction. (Warning: The microwave oven can store a lethal amount of electricity in its high voltage capacitor, even after the microwave oven has been unplugged. Due to the high running voltage and the potential for electric shock, it is extremely dangerous to replace the electronic components in a microwave. Only a licensed technician should replace the diode.)
Cause 2
Door Switch
Most microwaves have three or four door switches. When the microwave door closes, the door switches actuate in sequence to ensure that the door is closed properly. If any of the door switches fails, the microwave will not start or heat. To determine if any of the door switches are defective, use a multimeter to test each of the switches for continuity. If any of the door switches does not have continuity, replace it. (Caution: The microwave oven can store thousands of volts of electricity in its high voltage capacitor, even after the microwave oven has been unplugged. Due to the potential for electric shock, it is extremely dangerous to replace the electronic components in a microwave. Only a licensed technician should replace a door switch.)
Cause 3
Magnetron
The magnetron uses high voltage, high current DC power to generate the microwave frequency that cooks the food. If the magnetron burns out, the microwave won’t heat. The magnetron is not repairable—if the magnetron is burned out, you must replace it. (Warning: The microwave oven can store a lethal amount of electricity in its high voltage capacitor, even after the microwave oven has been unplugged. Due to the high running voltage and the potential for electric shock, it is extremely dangerous to replace the electronic components in a microwave. Only a licensed technician should replace the magnetron.)
Here are the prices on these parts, if it were me, I just buy a new one:
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I just had my GE microwave installed 2 weeks ago and now it’s not heating up food. Everything else works fine
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3 Comments
Please Help need my microwave
by Sue Gardea
nothing like finding the capacitor and avoiding touching it. use rubber gloves to repair a microwave. and don’t stand in water.
most capacitors look like a tiny yellow can.
unless you are good at soldering electronics, what is a person at home going to do anyway?
these should be modular and removable for safety while the home owner is working on the microwave.
the diode should be replaceable. so should the magnetron. recycle renew reuse
bad design. mine went out but microwave mfgrs could do better.
I am a patent atty. Anyone want to patent this design?
thanks for your post
by JoAnne Denison
I replaced the capacitor, magnetron, diode and power switch, yet my ge profile microwave still won't heat food. Everything else works but won't heat food. You may think its working but food doesn't heat up. What else should I check?
by geofwanjohi