The microwave is one of the most frequently used appliances in your household, so a malfunction can be a major problem. Because they can store thousands of volts in their capacitors even after being unplugged—enough voltage to be fatal—a repair isn’t for the layman, either. Problems are often easily diagnosed and fixed, but for the sake of safety, a non-working microwave is a job for an appliance repair expert. Here are the common issues they'll check for.

Why Is Your Microwave Not Heating Food?

1. Faulty Door Switch

A microwave has several door switches that do more than turn the interior light on when opened. They also function as a safety mechanism designed to ensure the door is properly closed before it begins generating radiation. If any of the switches fail, the microwave will no longer heat your food.

2. Burned-Out Diode

In layman’s terms, a diode boosts the power coming out of your outlet in order to power the magnetron that heats your food. Diodes can burn out, leaving too little electricity to power the heart of the appliance. Luckily, a trained technician can easily identify and replace a burned-out diode.

3. Blown Thermal Fuse

Thermal fuses are designed to cut off power to the microwave if the device overheats. Much like your home or automobile fuses, this component can blow. 

However, unlike those other fuses, a microwave's thermal fuse can't be reset once it has blown. It must be replaced by an appliance repair technician.

4. Bad Control Board

The main control board is effectively the brain of the entire device, as every other component relies on it. It's rare for this board to malfunction, but when it happens, it will likely need to be replaced. However, this is a costly part, so if your oven has more than a few years on it, replacing the entire unit might be a wiser choice.

5. Faulty Magnetron

Your microwave’s magnetron turns high voltage into the microwave energy that cooks your food. This component can fail to draw energy or even burn out completely. Magnetron replacement can be among the more difficult appliance repair jobs and should never be attempted without extensive know-how and skills.

If your microwave is no longer heating food, rely on the experts at Appliance & Repair of High Point, NC, to diagnose the problem. Serving Thomasville, Jamestown, Winston-Salem, and the surrounding Piedmont Triad area, they have been providing the region with fast, affordable, and reliable appliance repair services for over 30 years. Whether your microwave, washer, dryer, stove, or another appliance is on the fritz, call (336) 861-7108 for an estimate. Visit their website to learn more about their services.