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GE microwave stopped working
Common reasons your GE microwave stopped working
The most common reasons your GE microwave stopped working are a malfunctioning electronic control board, bad thermostat or a broken switch.
53% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
21% of the time it's the Thermostat
7% of the time it's the Switch
19% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a GE microwave
Electronic Control Board Replacement
If a microwave electronic control board is malfunctioning, it can lead to various failures in the microwave, including a lack of power or heating, or it could prevent the microwave from turning off. This is because the board serves as the brain of the microwave, controlling crucial components such as magnetron the heats food, cooling fans, lights, the turn-table motor, cooking times and power level settings and the display. If the electronic control board malfunctions, it can disrupt communication between many different components. A failing board may cause a chattering or clicking noise or emit a burning odor. Due to the potential impact on multiple components, it is advisable to have a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests on the board to confirm if replacement is necessary.
Thermostat Replacement
A bad thermostat in a microwave will cause a variety of issues, mainly with power to the components of the microwave. Microwaves have several internal thermostats that protect you from harm when components inside the microwave fail. Many microwaves have a magnetron thermostat that trips when it detects high current going to the magnetron or high temperature in that area of the microwave cavity. Another thermostat monitors the temperature of the cooking cavity and trips when high temperatures occur. If any of these thermostats trip, the microwave won’t start, lights and fans will be inoperative and the display will be blank. Because microwaves contain a high-voltage transformer and high-voltage capacitors that retain a lethal amount of electricity even with the microwave unplugged, a Sears Home Services professional should examine the microwave and perform the repair.
Switch Replacement
A broken switch in a microwave will cause a variety of issues, mainly with power to the components of the microwave. Microwaves have several internal thermal switches and interlock switches that protect you when components inside the microwave fail. Door interlock switches prevent the microwave from running when the door is open so you aren’t exposed to harmful radiation. Many microwaves have a magnetron thermal switch that trips when it detects high current going to the magnetron or high temperature in that area of the microwave cavity. Another thermal switch monitors the temperature of the cooking cavity and trips when high temperatures occur. If any of these switches fail, the microwave won’t start, lights and fans will be inoperative and the display will be blank. Because microwaves contain a high-voltage transformer and high-voltage capacitors that retain a lethal amount of electricity even with the microwave unplugged, a Sears Home Services professional should examine the microwave and perform the repair.
What would cause my GE microwave to stop working?
A tripped or failed thermostat is the #1 cause of a GE microwave not heating. The microwave has several thermostats.
When the microwave oven cavity overheats or a component such as the magnetron get too hot, the thermostat will trip and the microwave will shut off or not heat.
When you suspect that a thermostat or fuse has tripped in your GE microwave, schedule service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the problem.
Why won’t my GE microwave heat?
When your GE microwave won’t heat, one of these failures could be causing the problem:
- Blown internal fuse. Internal fuses blow when an electrical short occurs or when the microwave overheats. A service technician will need to diagnose and repair the microwave when an internal fuse blows. Replacing the microwave is another option you can consider.
- Faulty magnetron. The magnetron produces the high-energy waves that heat the food in the microwave. Check the owner’s manual for your microwave when you suspect a magnetron failure. The magnetron in some microwaves has a 10 year part warranty but you have to pay for labor to replace the magnetron. You may consider having the microwave repaired when the magnetron fails and the part is under warranty. If the magnetron isn’t under warranty, you’ll likely need to replace the microwave.
- Bad diode or high-voltage capacitor. The microwave components need to be replaced by a technician when they fail. You may also consider replacing the microwave instead of repairing it.
- Defective electronic control board. A bad control board can prevent the microwave from heating. A technician would need to test the control board output and repair the microwave if it has a defective control board. Replacing the microwave is another option when the appliance has this failure.
When your GE microwave isn’t heating, schedule repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the issue.
Don’t risk your safety by trying to fix a microwave yourself. Follow this warning from the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding DIY microwave repairs:
What to expect when you experience a GE microwave stopped working issue
How is the stopped working problem fixed?
Correcting most stopped working problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, thermostat or switch. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a microwave that has stopped working
When the microwave has stopped working it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of microwave failures.
What to look out for with a microwave stopped working diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your microwave problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
GE Microwave Won’t Heat Troubleshooting
When your GE microwave stopped working and won’t heat, check the settings to make sure the heat level is set on high or the appropriate level to heat the food in the microwave. Adjust the heat level if necessary. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual for setting the controls when your GE microwave won’t heat.
Resetting the electronic control board in your microwave can sometime restore heating. Unplug the microwave power cord for 1 minute then plug it back in to restore power. This will reboot the main electronic control board and other electronic components inside the microwave. See if the microwave heats after restoring power.
If the microwave still isn’t working after resetting the control board, you’ll likely need to have it serviced. A GE microwave has several safety devices to keep it from overheating and causing injuries. A thermostat above the cooking cavity of the microwave trips and shuts of heating if it detects unusually high temperatures inside the microwave. A similar thermostat beside the magnetron shut off heating if the magnetron overheats. The microwave also has fuses that will trip if a short circuit occurs in the wiring or a component.
In addition to safety devices that can trip or fail to prevent your GE microwave from heating, a bad magnetron, failed high-voltage capacitor, faulty electronic control board or wiring failure can also prevent the microwave from heating. With so many possible causes for a GE microwave that won’t heat, it’s best to have a service technician diagnose the appliance and fix the problem. Schedule microwave repair service now and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem.
GE Microwave Suddenly Stopped Working Troubleshooting
When your GE microwave suddenly stopped working, check the door to make sure that it’s fully shut. Press in firmly on the door so it properly engages the door interlock switches. If the microwave starts working but intermittently stops later on, faulty door interlock switches are likely causing your GE microwave to suddenly stop working. Schedule microwave repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the door and interlock switches.
If your GE microwave suddenly stopped working and it has no power, check the power cord to make sure that it is fully inserted in the electrical outlet to the appliance gets power. Plug the power cord in securely if it’s partially unplugged. This may fix the problem when your GE microwave suddenly stopped working.
If you find the microwave power cord plugged in properly, check the house circuit breaker for the microwave. A tripped house circuit breaker will shut off the electric current going to the microwave’s electrical outlet. Reset the house circuit breaker for the microwave by switching the circuit breaker off and then turning it back on. See if your GE microwave powers up after resetting the breaker.
When your GE microwave won’t turn on after resetting the breaker, check the electrical outlet for power. Unplug the microwave and plug a small appliance or night light into the electrical outlet. If the outlet has no power, have an electrician fix the outlet to restore power to the microwave.
Other problems that can cause your GE microwave to suddenly stop working include a blown fuse, tripped safety thermostat, failed control board, bad user interface board, failed magnetron, bad high-voltage capacitor and a wiring failure. Schedule microwave repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and repair the microwave when it suddenly stops working.
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microwave
Mark really went over the microwave trying to fix it, this was his second time here for the same problem. August till ? till we get it replaced. we appreciate him for his knowledge of his job. thank you Mark
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Mr. David is very polite and intelligent gentlemen. He came to replace a part on my microwave and he checked the microwave to make sure it was working properly. Mr. David gave me a courtesy call that he will be arriving in 15mins. He arrived on time for the appointment and took care of his job duties. Thanks Mr. David for all the hard work you do at Sears. Keep up all the good work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A microwave diode is an electrical component that allows current to flow in one direction only, playing a crucial role in converting incoming electrical power into the microwave energy that cooks the food.
A microwave sensor is a technologically advanced feature in modern microwave ovens that measures vapor (steam) emitted by the food, adjusting the cooking time and power levels automatically for optimal results.
A microwave waveguide cover is a small, often mica or plastic piece inside the microwave that covers the opening where microwaves enter the cooking chamber, protecting the microwave's internal components from food splatter and ensuring efficient distribution of the microwaves.
A microwave magnetron is a component in microwave ovens that generates the microwaves used to cook food.