It’s been a long day at work and you’re facing the last challenge of the day: dinner time. Thankfully, everyone in your household has settled on just having a freezer meal rather than going all out to make a full, ‘entree, two sides, and dessert‘ type of dinner. However, when the time comes, everyone is stuck waiting in line… because the microwave is taking forever. You’ve followed the instructions on your freezer meal’s box, so what’s going on? Now that you think of it, this ‘microwave not heating up’ problem has been a thing for a while now. Should you try to repair your microwave yourself? What can even cause a microwave from heating up properly? Use this guide from Premier Appliance to answer all of your questions, and call us before trying anything sketchy!
Here’s What Could Be Happening
There are a few potential causes for your microwave not heating up. The first things to check are the most obvious, which simultaneously can mean that they are the easiest to miss. Firstly, make sure your microwave is plugged in all the way. If it is, then move on to check that the delayed start feature is not enabled, if your microwave has this feature. This is something you can check for, and figure out how to adjust, in your user manual.
You will also want to make sure that your microwave is not in demo mode. This feature can be used on display models in store to showcase how the microwave operates without actually using any power. This is another feature that you will have to refer to your user manual for, as the process for turning off demo mode varies from model to model.
Another likely reason that your microwave likely won’t heat up is because one of the door switches may be broken. One sign that indicates a faulty door switch is the light in your microwave not coming on when you open the door. Or, if the fan and turntable still run while you have the door open. Before you start removing parts and investigating the door switches or anything listed above, you’ll want to be extra cautious with your DIY repair approach.
What You Can Try
Before trying anything on your microwave, make sure that it is unplugged and the circuit breaker to the microwave is turned off. It’s important to note as well that microwaves have a high voltage capacitor that needs to be discharged before any work is done, even when the microwave is unplugged. If you are unsure how to do this or inexperienced with microwave repair, give us call before you do anything. Safety is always the best policy!
Some brands, such as KitchenAid, suggest resetting your microwave by unplugging it for one minute, then plugging it back in. If your microwave still won’t heat after this, check the power level settings. This will ensure that your microwave is running on 100% power versus on a setting such as defrost. Again, the specific way that your microwave’s power level settings are accessed can be found in your model’s user manual.
Should You Just Replace Your Microwave?
It’s normal to want to throw your hands up when something isn’t working . Especially when the solution can’t be easily found on your own. You may think it’s easier to just go buy a new appliance, but you need to weigh your options first! The average lifespan of a microwave is about seven years. If a quick reset doesn’t work, it may be time to go ahead and replace the appliance. This is especially so if you use it every day, or multiple times per week.
On the other hand, if your microwave won’t heat up and it’s less than five years old, let the professionals have a go at it. We can save you time, money, and stress in the long run!
When to Call the Premier Appliance Team
When it comes to residential kitchen appliance repairs, Premier Appliance are your local experts. We can safely operate on your kitchen appliances, help you install new ones, and give you tips on maintenance when you need it most. Whether you just want us to check your microwave’s door switches or need us to troubleshoot and replace electrical components, we want to help you get your kitchen back to normal. That way, when you choose to have an easy dinner night, you aren’t left scrambling at the last minute!
