Repair of microwave ovens: finding a breakdown, how to repair a microwave oven with your own hands

Most often, microwave ovens fail from kitchen appliances, so people try to repair microwave ovens on their own. In such devices, there are problems that are easy enough to fix with your own hands, especially if a person is familiar with the principles of operation and operational capabilities of the microwave.

Safety regulations

The most common cause of breakdown is improper use of the device or carelessness. Also, devices break down due to factory defects, but usually they still have a warranty, so they it is not worth disassembling, but you just need to take it to the service center, where it will be repaired or replaced for free similar.

Before repairing microwave ovens, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the safety rules:

• Do not start the magnetron with the door open if the camera or waveguide is faulty;
• it is strictly forbidden to connect the magnetron if it is not in its place - this can be dangerous both to health and to life in general;
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• it is also unacceptable to start with a faulty fan, since in this case a breakdown of the magnetron itself may occur;
• before proceeding with repair work, it is necessary to de-energize the device, and also make sure that the high-voltage capacitor is in a discharged state;
• when replacing parts, it is worth purchasing only similar designs;
• after the work performed, it is necessary to carefully inspect the device: check the waveguide for foreign objects;
• it is not recommended to use the device without contents, as well as to place metal dishes in it;
• it is best to take photographs during the repair, moreover, to take shots at each stage. In this case, you do not have to remember exactly where each dismantled part is installed.

Internal organization

The device itself contains a large number of elements, most of which do not perform any functional role. To repair the microwave with your own hands, it is enough to know the main parts that ensure the work:

• a magnetron located in the middle and directed to the heating block;
• fan;
• a transformer installed just below the magnetron looks like a massive box;
• fuse and capacitor are always to the right of the transformer;
• the control unit can be found near the panel;
• rectifier diode.

Basically, breakdowns occur precisely in these elements, which is why experienced craftsmen advise you to pay attention to them in the first place.

Breakdown search

You can find the malfunction by the "symptoms". This allows you to quickly and easily recognize a breakdown. During the inspection, it is necessary to exclude possible causes and leave only the real one.

At first, it is worth considering the option when the microwave device does not start. For this it is necessary to inspect the following elements:

• power cord - check its integrity;
• door - inspect its position, as well as the opening and closing system;
• mains fuse and thermal relay.

If violations are detected on the power cord, then the problem is simple - the device is not powered. The same troubles can happen if the socket is damaged. The situation can be corrected by replacing the cord, the microwave oven in this case is absolutely serviceable.

Then move on to checking the door. All such devices function exclusively with the door closed. And if it is not covered tightly or there are any malfunctions in the latch or interlock system, then the protective system will simply not allow the oven to work, it will not turn on.

Next, you should pay attention to the fuse. The fact is that this element simply turns off the device during power surges in the electrical network. And the thermal relay, in turn, will not start it if the door is open. These parts very often fail, but it is quite easy to replace them with new ones.

In addition, you need to check the voltage itself, and also see how many devices are connected to the outlet at the moment. The fact is that the microwave oven is extremely demanding on power supply, and even insignificant fluctuations or deviations will not allow it to function normally.

Types of malfunctions and remedies

Almost all models have the same problems and malfunctions. It happens that the device seems to work, but the food does not heat up. This may indicate a breakdown of a capacitor, magnetron or rectifier diode. To fix the microwave you need to prepare:

• pliers;
• soldering iron;
• keys (gas and adjustable);
• screwdriwer set;
• nippers;
• any available device with which you can measure direct and alternating current.

All these tools may be needed when carrying out repair activities. In addition, it is necessary to comply with safety requirements, since work is associated with high voltage, which is dangerous to life.

It is strictly forbidden to make any holes in the housing of the device or to supply conductive elements to it. Do not touch internal parts while the device is in operation.

Destruction of the cap

Very often, the furnace stops functioning due to the destruction of the cap, which is located on the magnetron. The fact is that it has a very thin and unreliable aluminum body that simply cannot cope with the loads. And the constant exposure to microwave waves leads to its destruction. This problem is especially common in old microwave ovens that have been in use for a long time. This problem can be identified by the characteristic noise and sparks that occur during operation.

To check the device, it is necessary to remove the transformer and inspect the cap, in case of destruction, the problem can be solved in two ways:

• install a new one;
• flip the element.

The first method, of course, is better, you can place an order for a new element or simply take the magnetron to a service center, where it will be repaired. The second method involves temporary use, although in this case, the part can serve for a rather long time. To do this, you need to rotate the element 180 degrees, and it will work again. This is because the entire load falls on only one half of the cap.

Burnout of protective mica

Such a breakdown occurs when splashes enter the waveguide cover. After that, the magnetron antenna and the protective cover begin to spark among themselves. And if there are crumbs or smudges of food in the device, they begin to burn, and this leads to local burnouts on the lid. You can get rid of them with rubbing alcohol or solvent.

If the condition of the mica plate is very poor, it will have to be changed. It is not difficult to dismantle it, it is enough to unscrew the screws with the help of an ordinary kitchen knife, and in some models the lid is attached to rivets. After the element is removed, it is required to lay it on the prepared material and circle it with a pencil, and then cut it out with the same knife. Scissors are not recommended as they can break the mica.

The required holes can be drilled with a sharp screwdriver and then sanded with sandpaper. As a material, you can take absolutely any dielectric, it can be Teflon or fluoroplastic.

Understanding the device of a microwave oven, you can easily identify a malfunction, and self-repair can save you a lot of money, since the services of service centers are expensive.