Who Repairs Microwave Ovens? – Learn Here

In this day and age where everyone searches the web for any and every problem they face; what happens then when your microwave oven becomes faulty? Fine. You can surf the web all you want but at the end of the day, who repairs microwave ovens will be your top query.

Any experienced handyman can repair a broken microwave oven. Depending on the complexity of problems of your microwave oven. But if you want to keep enjoying your microwave oven, the best thing is to take your device to an microwave repair shop or any expert around you.

A microwave oven is generally quite reliable if you buy one from a reputable brand. Technology has even made it better.

Generally, you can use your microwave oven for decades without needing to change or upgrade it. But, in certain situation, things can go wrong and that is when a call to a microwave repair technician becomes a necessity.

Who Repairs Microwave Ovens?

This question is on the lips of millions of microwave oven users whenever it makes a strange beeping sound or the door won’t close no matter how hard you try or your microwave oven just stops working.

Before the internet became a place to drop information, experience and insights, people generally took their faulty microwave to a microwave repair shop, try dismantling it for parts in their homes or just buy a new one.

Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that there are professionals that are experienced in the repair of broken microwave ovens.

Also Read: What to Do with Old Microwave Ovens?

Here is a List of Some of These Professionals

• Microwave repair technician (Handyman / Handy-woman)
• Appliance Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Physicist – joke, BUT YES, technically they can
• All other electrical and electronics technicians

However, it can be quite expensive to take your oven to a microwave repair shop especially if the cost of repair is quite exorbitant.

That is why the first option of repairing your microwave should be “you”- only if you are experienced in the field of engineering.

Before you attempt repair, it is worth noting what generally comprises a microwave and what items are easier or tougher to fix.

What Makes up a Microwave?

It is worth noting what makes up a microwave in order to see what kind of skill professional would be most suitable for the job:

• Power cord
• Circuit board aka Control Panel
• Fuse
• Light bulb
• Transformer
• Magnetron (Dangerous Component)
• High Voltage Capacitor
• Waveguide
• Buttons / Dial Selectors
• LCD
• Steel body
• Glass Door
• Fan
• Microwave motor

Easy Level Items to Fix

Out of these items, some are quite easy to fix such as fixing the power cord, light bulb etc.

These are something that you can check and fix yourself if you are remotely experienced with handling a screw driver.

Of course, utmost care should be taken and if doubt, do not attempt the repair yourself.

Moderate Levels Items to Fix

if you are somewhat experienced with repairing electronic devices, then there are quite a few things that you can diagnose and fix yourself.

This includes,

• Replacing the fuse, if it is blown.
• Replacing the digital buttons – these can be bought separately
• Steel body works – if you are experiences with fixing metals bends and dents
• You can also replace the fan with the same CFM specifications

High Levels Items – Require Expert Attention

Some units in the microwave are tougher fix like motor, transformer etc., and also dangerous if adequate guidelines are not followed. It is best if you leave these in the hands of the experts:

• Circuit board/Control Panel – These have chips, diode, and ICs that can only be replaced by experts.
• Transformer – an electrical device that steps the high voltage of power down to usable one. This control the magnetron device.
• Magnetron Device – This is the device that generates the microwave – best not to open or fuss around with it if you have never seen or worked with one before.
• Waveguide – This device sets the direction of the microwave to travel. This is too technical to be attempted repair on by novices.
• Glass Door – If broken or damaged, DO NOT use the microwave. The microwave glass door are not ordinary ones. They are highly specialized in containing the harmful microwave in. DO NOT attempt to repair this.

Also Read: Best Stainless Steel Microwave Ovens

Tools Needed for Self-repair

Trying to troubleshoot your faulty microwave especially when you are inexperienced is not advisable.

Although, in likely cases whereby the microwave repair doesn’t need part replacement or dismantling of tougher components, there are some tools that you must have:

Microwave Guidebook

Yes. All new microwave ovens come with their own free guidebook. This free guidebook is very essential before even going online. The reason is that instructions in your guidebook is specifically meant for your particular model of microwave.

If it’s a minor repair that requires for instance, proper maintenance or a more corrective repair; the guidebook will give you the necessary information needed to tackle any of this problems.

No other tools would be mentioned because it is not advisable for you to try dismantling your microwave yourself. This is because, even after it is unplugged, the microwave contains a high voltage capacitor that can retain charge.

Multimeter

When repairing any electronic device, multimeter is the most essential device. The most important function with this is to check the continuity of a component.

Basically, this tells you whether a certain component is malfunction or not.

For instance, if you microwave oven is not heating up, you will check the continuity of the Magnetron device or the Wave guide to check if they are even letting the current through or not.

Similarly, if your touchpad is not working, you will check the continuity of the control panel.

Don’ts of Microwave Oven Troubleshooting

When trying to troubleshoot your faulty microwave be conversant with your guide book. If you have no prior knowledge about electrical works or how to troubleshoot, it is advisable to just take it to a repair shop or have it replaced completely.

It is important to have some information in your arsenal to avoid hurting yourself or damaging your microwave beyond repair. Here are some don’ts of microwave troubleshooting:

• Do not attempt to troubleshoot while your oven is still connected. It happens to the best of us. Remove the power cord totally from the wall.
• Do not troubleshoot a microwave that is wet or moist in anyway. Ensure that the microwave is clean and properly dried.
• Do not troubleshoot your microwave without putting on safety wears like rubber gloves and boots for insulation.
• Do not work alone.
• Do not work in a cramped area.
• Do not troubleshoot your microwave if you don’t know what you are doing.
• Do not attempt to plug in the microwave with the cover off.
• Do not touch or probe anything without discharging the high voltage capacitor in the microwave generator.

Common Microwave Oven Problems

Having an idea of the problems facing your microwave is the first step in deciding whether you want it fixed or you would like to install a new one.

For instance, a new microwave would cost you $50-$100, therefore, any repairs you might need to carry out on your microwave should not cost you up to that amount. If it does, its way easier to replace it.

The following common problems will help you determine whether or not to repair or replace your kitchen appliance:

If Your Microwave is Not Heating Up

If your microwave is not heating, the problem can be as simple as a fault door switch or as complicated as faulty magnetron device.

The magnetron device generates the microwave heat. If the rest of the oven is working find with turntable rotating and all, but the food is just not heating up, magnetron can be the culprit. Check out our ‘How to Repair Microwave Oven Not Heating Up‘ post for a more complete read.

If Your Microwave is Sparking

There are various components that may cause a microwave to start sparking. One of the few that may be eliminated is to check for presence of foil, metal utensils, chipped paint or splatters of food.

It can also be as a result of a short circuit, exposed wires or fault electrical components in the gadgets assemblage.

In any case, the microwave should NOT be turned on until the fault is found.

If the Display Unit or Touchpad is Malfunctioning

If the touchpad isn’t working. the issue can be with individual buttons or with the entire control panel circuit board. A loose connection, a broken connection or fault chip can cause the display unit or the touchpad to malfunction.

If the issue is with an individual button, then perhaps the switch behind could have broken.

This could also be as a result of exposure to water or insect infestation in the display panels.

If Your Microwave Door won’t Open

This is one of the most common problems identified with microwave ovens. Inspect the various door parts for damage.

The most simplest explanation could be a fault door switch. This is generally an easy repair since door switches can be found easily.

Conclusion

In this article, we examined the question, “Who repairs Microwave ovens?” Due to unfettered access to the internet, most people have developed a do-it-yourself attitude. There is nothing wrong with that.

However, this article emphasizes on the limit inexperience can cause when it comes to troubleshooting a faulty microwave.

Necessary guidelines should not be ignored as it is helpful, not only to the inexperience but also the experienced technician as well.

Finally, in order not to worry about do’s and don’ts, repairs or replacement for a long time, take a sneak peek at your guidebook once in a while and follow the maintenance instructions stated.