Troubleshooting Problems With Microwave Ovens

Check that the microwave is plugged in and that the outlet is receiving power. The first step to troubleshooting is to always start with the obvious. Frayed or damaged cords, either from wear or from household pests, can cause a power short or even a fire. If the cord is damaged, unplug the microwave and do not use until it is replaced.

Check the turntable. If the turntable isn't rotating during cooking, it could have come off of the motor attachment. Generally, the turntable is attached to the motor by grooves or slots in the bottom of the tray. Some models use a roller rack in a track to assist in the movement of the tray. If the tray is not aligned properly or the wheels are not in the track, the tray will not move. Realign the tray, remove any food debris from the track and restart the microwave to see if this corrects the problem.

Adjust the cook setting. Some microwaves come with a timer setting in addition to a cook setting. If the digital display is counting down but the oven is not working, check to see that the microwave oven was programmed to "cook." Also, make sure you pressed the "start" button after programming the cooking time. Cancel the current program, input the time and press the cook setting and "start" button to see if the oven works correctly.

Use only nonmetal cookware. Some food packaging contains small amounts of metal, such as foil-lined wrappers or handles on food containers. If the microwave is popping or arcing during cooking, or giving a scorched smell, you should remove the food and cookware and attempt to reheat the food in a plastic, glass or other nonmetal container. Unwrap all food before reheating.

Check the door latch. The microwave will not operate if the door is not securely closed. Make sure nothing is obstructing the door latch, such as food debris. Open the door, locate the latch and ensure it moves freely. Close the door tightly and attempt to restart the microwave.