Microwave won't heat

check the air filter and cooling fan.

The motor for the rotator is bad. It has to be replaced.

The magnetron may be defective. You can replace the magnetron, there is no other possibility.

The problem is a magnetron, "heart of the system" or the inverter board, "if 7 years old or less" and possibly the keypad control board, all of these items are not cheap and lethal voltages are present.

Hello,

Investigate these three areas if your microwave won't heat

Power Diode

A diode is an electronic component that readily passes current in one direction only and blocks the flow of current in the opposing direction. If your microwave's diode has become defective, your microwave will not heat. Test the diode to determine if this is the cause of your problem. Replace it if it is defective.

Testing a diode

NOTE: Before you test your diode, make sure your microwave is unplugged, and that you discharge the microwave's capacitor.

Whether it is shorted or open, a defective diode will most likely show some sign of defect. Defective diodes will usually emit an electrical burning smell, signifying its defectiveness. Also, it may have split in two, or it may exhibit a burned crack, or possibly even a blistered spot.

A shorted diode is indicated by a loud humming noise from the high voltage transformer, and no heat produced when a cook cycle is initiated. Whereas little or no heat produced in your microwave, with an absence of a humming noise is indicative of an open diode. In either case, the diode has to be replaced.

With your microwave unplugged, and your capacitor discharged, use extreme caution to remove the lead that leads to the capacitor. You can leave the ground connection attached. The side of the diode that goes to the ground is usually marked with a dot, stripe, or arrow. Set your ohmmeter to R x 10,000 or higher. Touch the positive meter probe to the anode and the negative meter probe to the cathode to measure the resistance across the diode terminals. Remember that the cathode is on the side that goes to the ground, which is often marked by a dot, stripe, or an arrow.

A normal diode, that is a non-defective diode, will read anywhere from 50,000 to 200,000 ohms. Differences in microwave make and model account for this large range in resistance readings.

Reverse the meter probes and measure resistance while touching the positive probe to the cathode and the negative probe to the anode. Reversing the probes like this should result in a reading of infinity. Unless a bleeder resistor is present. The presence of a bleeder resistor would produce a reading of the value of the resistor.

High Voltage Capacitor

A capacitor is an electrical device which stores electricity. A defective capacitor may be why your microwave is not heating. The capacitor will have to be tested to determine if this is the cause of your problem. A defective capacitor will have to be replaced before your microwave will work again. Make sure you discharge the capacitor before you test it, though.

Magnetron

A defective magnetron is the third possible cause of why your microwave is not heating. Test your microwave's magnetron. Replace it if it is defective.

Testing a magnetron

NOTE: Before you test this component, make sure your microwave is unplugged, and that you have discharged the capacitor.

There are two tests to conduct in order to determine whether or not a magnetron has become defective. If you receive results other than what are detailed below, you will have to replace your microwave's magnetron. Each test is described for you here:

TEST 1: Locate your magnetron and label each of the wires attached to it so that you know which wires are to be replaced where. Set your ohmmeter to the lowest resistance scale. Take a resistance measurement between each of the magnetron's terminals by touching each probe to one terminal each. Reverse the probes and take a second resistance measurement. Each measurement should read less than one ohm.

TEST 2: Set your ohmmeter to its highest resistance scale. Touch one of the meter's probes to a magnetron terminal. Touch the other probe to the metal magnetron housing. Take special caution to not touch the two probes together. This could result in an inaccurate reading. This test should produce a reading of infinity - indicating an open circuit.

Read the tips on the below links on how to replace your microwave oven's diode and how to discharge the capacitor.

http://www.fixya.com/support/r7088355-replace_microwave_ovens_diode

http://www.fixya.com/support/r7088317-discharge_microwave_ovens_capacitor

I hope the above is helpful.

Regards.

You need to replace the sensing probe.

Hello,

read the info on the below link, it was posted by me;

http://www.fixya.com/support/r7088553-microwave_oven_not_heat_hear_loud

Good luck.

Hello,

Read the information on the below link, it was posted by me and might be helpful in solving this problem;

http://www.fixya.com/support/r7088553-microwave_oven_not_heat_hear_loud

Good luck.

If the microwave oven appears to be working but it is not heating the food, it is very possible that the magnetron, or its power supply has failed.

Jerry G.

Hi and welcome to FixYa,

Almost always, on most microwave including GE Adora, no heat with all else working indicates a problem with the magnetron. Since the magnetron produces high RF energy and operates on high voltage, it would be to your advantage to seek the services of a qualified professional.

If on the other hand, the fault of no heat is coupled with no display, error messages, door not locking, no light, then it would be possible for a DIY (do-it-yourself) repair. All that is required is a bit of familiarity with electronic components and circuitry, the use of a DVM/VOM of course safe working practices when repairing electrically powered devices.

Pls post back any other symptoms or indicators other than 'no heat'.

Good luck and thank you for using FixYa.