Beep beep beep – uh oh, pushing those buttons isn’t bringing your GE microwave back to life. As you stare blankly at the dark display and cold interior, you dread calling costly appliance repair experts. But before you drag your dead microwave to the curb for trash day, there’s hope – many common issues can be addressed with easy do-it-yourself troubleshooting.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to diagnose and fix the most frequent causes of a GE microwave that’s gone kaput. We’ll show you step-by-step how to test parts like the door switches, magnetron, and diode using a multimeter. We’ll explain how to locate and replace blown fuses bringing everything to a halt. With a few budget-friendly new parts, you can revive your existing microwave and avoid the cost and headache of a new appliance.
Don’t toss out your GE in frustration quite yet! Learn how to give it new life with some targeted troubleshooting. Let’s work through the problem together and transform your microwave from lifeless to operational. The fix may be easier than you think!
The most common reasons why a GE microwave stops working are faulty door switches, defective magnetrons, blown fuses, faulty diodes, or defective capacitors. These problems can be fixed by replacing the faulty parts with new ones.
How to fix a GE microwave that doesn’t turn on
One of the most basic problems with a GE microwave is when it doesn’t turn on at all. This could be caused by a power outage, a tripped circuit breaker, a loose plug, or a blown fuse. To fix this problem, you should:
- Check the power outlet and make sure the plug is firmly inserted.
- Check the circuit breaker and make sure it is not tripped. If it is, reset it by flipping it off and on.
- Check the fuse inside the microwave and make sure it is not blown. If it is, replace it with a new one of the same size and rating. You can find the fuse behind the control panel or behind the vent grille. To access it, you need to unplug the microwave and remove the screws that hold the panel or grille in place. Then, use a multimeter to test the fuse for continuity. If there is no continuity, the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.
How to fix a GE microwave that doesn’t heat
Another common problem with a GE microwave is when it doesn’t heat your food. You put your food in, press start, and wait for the timer to beep. But when you open the door, your food is still cold and uncooked. This could be caused by a faulty door switch, a defective magnetron, a faulty diode, or a defective capacitor. To fix this problem, you should:
- Check the door switch and make sure it is working properly. The door switch is a safety device that prevents the microwave from running when the door is open. If the door switch is broken or misaligned, it may not sense that the door is closed and prevent the microwave from heating. You can find the door switch behind the control panel or behind the vent grille. To access it, you need to unplug the microwave and remove the screws that hold the panel or grille in place. Then, use a multimeter to test the switch for continuity. If there is no continuity when the door is closed, or if there is continuity when the door is open, the switch is faulty and needs to be replaced.
- Check the magnetron and make sure it is not burned out or damaged. The magnetron is the part that generates the microwaves that heat your food. If the magnetron is burned out or damaged, it may not produce enough microwaves or any at all. You can find the magnetron behind the control panel or behind the vent grille. To access it, you need to unplug the microwave and remove the screws that hold the panel or grille in place. Then, use a multimeter to test the magnetron for resistance. If there is no resistance or very high resistance, the magnetron is defective and needs to be replaced.
- Check the diode and make sure it is not shorted or open. The diode is a component that converts the alternating current (AC) from the power source to direct current (DC) for the magnetron. If the diode is shorted or open, it may not supply enough power to the magnetron or cause it to overheat. You can find the diode attached to the capacitor behind the control panel or behind the vent grille. To access it, you need to unplug the microwave and remove the screws that hold the panel or grille in place. Then, use a multimeter to test the diode for continuity. If there is continuity in both directions, or if there is no continuity in either direction, the diode is faulty and needs to be replaced.
- Check the capacitor and make sure it is not defective. The capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy and releases it to the magnetron when needed. If the capacitor is defective, it may not charge or discharge properly and affect the microwave’s heating performance. You can find the capacitor behind the control panel or behind the vent grille. To access it, you need to unplug the microwave and remove the screws that hold the panel or grille in place. Then, use a multimeter to test the capacitor for resistance. If there is very low resistance, or if there is no change in resistance when reversing the probes, the capacitor is defective and needs to be replaced.
How to fix a GE microwave that doesn’t spin
Another common problem with a GE microwave is when it doesn’t spin your food. You put your food on the turntable, press start, and wait for the timer to beep. But when you open the door, you notice that your food is unevenly cooked or burned. This could be caused by a broken turntable motor, a worn out coupler, or a damaged roller ring. To fix this problem, you should:
- Check the turntable motor and make sure it is not burned out or jammed. The turntable motor is the part that rotates the turntable and spins your food. If the turntable motor is burned out or jammed, it may not spin the turntable or spin it very slowly. You can find the turntable motor under the bottom panel of the microwave. To access it, you need to unplug the microwave and remove the screws that hold the bottom panel in place. Then, use a multimeter to test the motor for continuity. If there is no continuity, the motor is burned out and needs to be replaced.
- Check the coupler and make sure it is not worn out or broken. The coupler is a plastic piece that connects the turntable motor to the turntable. If the coupler is worn out or broken, it may not transmit the rotation from the motor to the turntable. You can find the coupler on top of the turntable motor under the bottom panel of the microwave. To access it, you need to unplug the microwave and remove the screws that hold the bottom panel in place. Then, inspect the coupler for any cracks, chips, or signs of wear. If the coupler is damaged, it needs to be replaced.
- Check the roller ring and make sure it is not damaged or dirty. The roller ring is a circular piece that supports the turntable and allows it to spin smoothly. If the roller ring is damaged or dirty, it may cause friction or obstruction to the turntable movement. You can find the roller ring under the glass plate inside the microwave. To access it, you need to remove the glass plate and lift up the roller ring. Then, inspect the roller ring for any cracks, dents, or signs of wear. You should also clean the roller ring with a damp cloth and remove any debris or food particles that may be stuck on it. If the roller ring is damaged, it needs to be replaced.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about GE microwaves:
Q: How do I clean my GE microwave?
A: To clean your GE microwave, you should:
- Unplug the microwave and remove any removable parts such as the glass plate, roller ring, and filters.
- Wipe down the interior of the microwave with a damp cloth and a mild detergent. You can also use a mixture of water and vinegar or lemon juice to remove any stains or odors.
- Wipe down the exterior of the microwave with a damp cloth and a mild detergent. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads that may scratch or damage the surface.
- Clean any removable parts with warm water and soap. Rinse and dry them thoroughly before putting them back in place.
- Plug in the microwave and test its functions.
Q: How do I replace my GE microwave light bulb?
A: To replace your GE microwave light bulb, you should:
- Unplug the microwave and locate the light bulb cover inside or outside of the microwave.
- Remove the screws that hold the light bulb cover in place and lift off the cover.
- Carefully pull out the old light bulb and replace it with a new one of the same size and wattage.
- Put back the light bulb cover and secure it with screws.
- Plug in the microwave and test its functions.
Q: How do I reset my GE microwave?
A: To reset your GE microwave, you should:
- Press and hold the Off/Clear button for about three seconds until you hear a beep. This will cancel any settings and reset your microwave.
- Press and hold the Clock button and use the dial or keypad to set the correct time of day.
- Press Start to confirm your settings.
