My microwave is making noise. How to fix it?

Perhaps, everyone has a microwave oven and, at least once, has noticed that the appliance makes noise. To get rid of this trouble, you need to diagnose and, if necessary, refurbish your microwave oven. Diagnostics will allow you to identify whether the appliance is worn out and needs internal parts replacement or just as a preventative measure.

Fortunately, a noisy microwave is not related to a severe breakdown.

We want to warn you that before refurbishment a microwave oven, you need to adhere to the following safety rules:

Your microwave oven must be unplugged;
The microwave capacitor must be discharged!

The last point is no less important since the capacitor can store a lethal dose of energy even if the microwave is unplugged from the outlet and has not been in operation for a long time.

What is wrong with your microwave oven? We’ll tell you more below.

Reasons why microwave is making noise

Some causes why your microwave makes noise relate to the malfunction of its internal parts and its improper operation.

Consider the main reasons for a noisy microwave:

Broken magnetron

The magnetron is necessary for the operation of high-frequency waves, which just help a meal to warm up. When the microwave oven is turned on, its owner can hear the magnetron turning on and off to reduce microwave frequencies.

The smell of burning is also associated with a breakdown of the magnetron.

Diode failure

The diode is necessary to change the alternating current to a direct current. This is necessary for the full operation of the magnetron.

If your microwave makes noise because of diode failure, you probably hear a loud buzzing sound.

Cooling fan failure

It is not uncommon for a microwave cooling fan to become clogged with flinders or move out of place, which can cause a loud rattling noise.

Also, the problem may lie in the fan motor due to its wear. If you hear a buzzing sound, especially from the back of the microwave, this indicates a fan motor failure.

Turntable motor failure

If the problem is with these engines, your microwave makes a clicking or grinding noise.

Stirrer motor failure

The stirrer motor is essential for the full operation of the blade, which helps deflect energy throughout the microwave. The stirrer itself is necessary for uniform heating of food. If you hear a grinding sound, then you need to check the stirrer motor for its suitability.

Noise from food and utensils

Sometimes the reasons for the loud sound can be heard not due to the breakdown of its internal components but also due to its improper operation and the characteristics of the foods that are heated in it.

Let’s highlight a few critical points:

Microwaved meat may cause noise or crackles.
Spilled food in the microwave can also cause cracking noise.
Using metal or other non-microwave safe utensils may cause them to crack.

How to fix a noisy microwave?

We have figured out the causes of loud noise that may come from your microwave oven.

Let’s see what can be done to repair your microwave:

Magnetron check

If you have a noisy microwave, it is a magnetron breakdown. First, diagnose the magnetron. For this:

Unplug the microwave oven.
Remove the top cover of the microwave.
Discharge the capacitor.
Check the continuity of the magnetron with a multimeter. The reading on it should be less than 1 ohm.

If the diagnostics showed the magnetron to be unusable, replace it with a new one.

Diagnose diode

The next step may be diode diagnostics. To carry it out, follow the following instructions:

Unplug the microwave from the outlet and remove the top cover of the microwave.
Discharge the capacitor.
To check the resistance of the diode, use the multimeter again. The reading should be between 50,000 and 20,000 ohms.

If your diagnostics showed the unsuitability of the diode, replace it.

Check the microwave cooling fan

The next step includes checking the suitability of the cooling fan. To check it, use the following instruction:

Unplug the microwave.
Discharge the capacitor.
Remove any parts that may prevent you from accessing the fan.
Diagnose the fan for free rotation. If there are no obstacles for the fan to work, but it does not rotate properly, replace the fan motor.
Also, test the cooling fan motor for continuity using a multimeter. On average, the readings should be around 280 ohms.

If during diagnostics you find that your cooling fan or its motor does not work as it should, replace them.

Turntable motor diagnostics

To understand what condition your turntable motor is in, do the following:

Unplug the microwave from the outlet.
Take away the turntable plate and microwave support roller and unscrew the turntable motor panel.
Using a multimeter, check the continuity of the turntable motor. If there is no succession, supersede it.

Check the stirrer motor

To check how the microwave stirrer motor is doing, abide by these recommendations:

Unplug the microwave from the outlet.
Check that the blade is fit.
Turn off the stirrer motor, start the microwave and test it.

If the trouble was with the stirrer motor, supersede it.

Keep your microwave clean and use it properly

As we have already said, usually a loud sound coming from a microwave oven is because some meals, such as meat, make noise when heated, so experts advise covering a meal with a lid when heating. We also note a few tips for operating a microwave oven:

Keep the microwave and turntable clean.
Use only safe and non-metallic heating utensils.

Call the professional craftsman

If our advice does not bring you to fix the noisy microwave, or you are afraid to mend your microwave oven yourself, it is time to call a household appliance repairman.

Our company provides services for the refurbish of household appliances. We provide our clients with quality and fast repairs made by skilled technicians at loyal prices. Our team identify the breakdown using modern equipment. We deal with such types of household appliances: