The microwave does not spin - any owner can face this problem. We have collected all diagnostic and repair options in the article.
Microwave ovens of the new generation are a real “first aid” in the kitchen. It takes just minutes to cook, heat and defrost. The microwave oven comes with a special rotating plate - a tray on which food or ready-made dishes are placed. Rotation is necessary for uniform heating: the food is turned with all sides towards the microwave source - the magnetron.
Same breakdown - different reasons
If the tray does not spin, you will not be able to cook as before - the food will only heat up on both sides. Poor heating can still be tolerated for some time, but cooking raw foods is out of the question.
The easiest way to solve the problem is to contact a service center. But what to do if it’s far away: call a private repairman or fix the breakdown yourself? It all depends on the cause of the malfunction. The same breakdown can be caused by completely different conditions. In some cases, you can cope with the problem yourself, in others you cannot do without a specialist.
Microwave without tray
Ovens without a rotating tray function are called inverter ovens. The internal structure of inverter stoves is simpler and less prone to breakdown:
- increased chamber capacity;
- no moving parts;
- more than two dishes are prepared at the same time;
- simplified care.
The warranty makes life easier for the buyer. If the warranty period has not expired, it is better to take the stove to service. After self-repair, the warranty is no longer valid.
Why does the plate spin?
The first microwave ovens were not equipped with a rotating tray; they came up with it later. You can’t envy the owners of the first expensive stoves - they manually turned the food, the device had to be turned on at least twice. Later, developers improved the design of the microwave and automated the process - the equipment began to work without human intervention.
To ensure that food was heated evenly, a plate with wheels was introduced into the design. Uniform rotation allows the product to warm up completely in one cycle.
If the plate stops spinning, you can:
- Do nothing and turn by hand. This is not a serious approach; modern equipment should work according to its declared functions, without taking up the owner’s time and without complicating the cooking process.
- Find out why the mechanism does not rotate the pan. When the cause of the malfunction is discovered, take measures to eliminate it.
Conclusion
There may be several reasons why the tray in the microwave has stopped spinning: from simple contamination to serious problems with the engine. Whether to repair it yourself or not is up to you to decide. And if in some cases you can get by with a screwdriver and a cloth, then in others you must definitely take the microwave oven to a workshop for warranty repairs.
The video in this article clearly demonstrates the internal structure of the microwave motor and talks about possible problems and ways to solve them. And if you have any questions, I’ll answer them in the comments, ask!
If the malfunction occurs due to carelessness
Do not rush to take the microwave to a service center or call a technician - perhaps the tray does not rotate due to some small non-technical issue. Then you can fix it yourself.
When inspecting the device, pay attention to the following points:
- The dish you placed in the chamber is too large - touching the walls, it prevents normal rotation. Because of this, the plate with wheels is completely blocked or rotates jerkily.
- Food has fallen out of a container placed in the chamber and is blocking movement. Even crumbs stuck between the wheels can cause braking and blocking. The size of the product may also hinder rotation. Let's say you put a piece of meat to defrost, but it is too large and when turning the tray it touches the walls - the movement becomes intermittent or stops altogether.
- You may have cleaned the turntable and installed it incorrectly; if the ridges of the bushing or the bushing are not properly seated in the slots, there will be no movement. To fix the problem, you just need to place the pallet correctly.
Set of repair tools
You will need:
- screwdrivers (flat, Phillips);
- pliers;
- multimeter (for winding diagnostics);
- Superglue, lubricant, alcohol, cotton wool may come in handy.
Step one - disassemble the microwave oven
To get to the “rotator”, you need to remove the top of the oven. This will allow you to get to the bottom. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the screws securing the housing and carefully remove it. You may have to tap a little to get the sides out of the grooves. You now have access to the bottom of the device.
Step two - dismantling the bottom
First of all, pay attention to the transformer. It is fixed to the bottom of the body with four bolts
Unscrew them carefully. Move the transformer without removing the wiring terminals so that it does not interfere with further work
Unscrew the remaining fasteners and remove the bottom cover. Disconnect the terminals (two wires). Unscrew the refrsen. This is the part that needs to be replaced or repaired.
What to replace it with?
Electric motors for pallets can be 21 V, 24 V, 220 V. All necessary parameters are indicated on the spare part sticker. You can purchase a refrozen suitable for your model in a specialized store or on the marketplace. If you decide to get to the bottom of it and try to fix the engine yourself, read on.
We are looking for a technical reason
If the microwave oven is inspected and you do not find anything preventing rotation, you will have to look for technical problems. Most likely, the microwave oven will need repairs, the complexity of which is again determined by the source of the breakdown.
It is logical to assume that the stoppage of movement is due to a malfunction of the torque mechanism. But the problem can be caused by even such a trifle as a burnt-out interior light bulb - this is what owners of older generation microwaves face. Look for problems that led to the stop in the following components and parts:
- Gear. A broken gearbox is one of the most common causes of a pallet stall. Replace it. If this does not help, you will need serious and expensive repairs - replacing the engine. Considering the cost of such repairs, it is cheaper to recycle the old device and buy a new one. This way you won’t have to spend money on repairs; you will purchase a new, more reliable and functional model from a reliable manufacturer.
- Clutch. This connecting mechanism, slipping on the shaft, can interfere with rotation. Try to strengthen it by eliminating slippage. Did not help? Then you need to change the clutch.
- Motor winding. If it is torn, professional intervention will be needed. The winding cannot be restored; it needs to be replaced. You can radically solve the problem - change the motor. You can find out about damage to the winding without disassembling the equipment - the smell of burnt varnish appears.
- Power circuit. To check the integrity of the power circuit, test the wiring with a tester. Did you find an open circuit? You just need to eliminate it.
Preventive measures
To prevent your microwave from breaking down, it is advisable to take some preventive measures. If you do not pay attention to prevention, equipment can break down very quickly. Prevention measures include:
- installing the microwave oven in a suitable location, i.e. on a flat and stable surface, away from the sink, gas stove, hob, radiator, direct sunlight;
- regular cleaning of the working chamber from pieces of food, fat, etc. remaining after cooking;
- following the recommendations for operating this equipment as set out in the operating instructions included in the delivery package.
If the microwave heats up excessively from external heat sources, then it is not advisable to turn it on, because it can fail very quickly. External heating of this equipment up to 40˚C is considered safe.
If the engine breaks down
The most unpleasant reason why a plate does not spin is a broken motor. As mentioned above, replacing the motor is an expensive pleasure, which not every owner of a microwave oven can decide on. It is necessary to first calculate the rationality of such a step. Often the malfunction is associated with a broken gearbox or poor-quality wiring. In any situation, the motor needs to be replaced.
To understand the causes of the malfunction, you need to know the engine structure. Let's take a closer look at the mechanisms that affect the operation of the motor:
Motor shaft. With its help, a rotational movement is produced. Shaft failure can be caused by careless handling or interference with its operation, for example:
- manual braking;
- touching the walls of the chamber with the dishes;
- increased load on the mechanism.
Important! After purchasing a microwave oven, be sure to read the instructions to know how to use it correctly and what loads it can withstand.
Motor housing and gearbox cover. Their job is to prevent water, food particles and foreign objects from getting inside the microwave.
Gearbox. Responsible for the functioning of the rotating element. Gearbox failure rarely occurs - it is a fairly wear-resistant mechanism. When the gears involved in rotation wear out, it breaks.
Attention! Today, microwave ovens use plastic analogues instead of metal gears, which does not contribute to the durability of the gearbox.
To find out the reasons for the breakdown, you need to disassemble the device. First remove the panel covering the engine. Then it is removed and unscrewed with a screwdriver and pliers. Often fat accumulates under the lid - it must be carefully removed without damaging the mechanism. You can use regular alcohol or a special composition. When the fat is removed, it is necessary to lubricate the important components of the motor and secure the housing.
What kind of motor is needed?
For a motor to work fully, it must have low speeds and high torque. It also requires high efficiency and energy efficiency. Microwave ovens use low-power synchronous motors (4 W), making 3-7 revolutions per minute. They can easily turn a plate on which several kilograms are placed.
To replace a broken motor or gearbox, you don’t need any special talents - follow the appropriate video instructions:
When replacing the motor , do not turn the shaft if you touch the power terminals - you may break the gearbox or get an electric shock . When choosing what to replace a broken part with, do not take cheap analogues - they are of poor quality and are unlikely to last long.
Do-it-yourself repairs
Repairing at home, restoring the rotation of the disk inside the microwave, determining the cause of the malfunction is not difficult to identify, carefully following the instructions, having a few skills and the necessary tools for the job.
The first thing you need to do is disconnect the microwave oven from the power source, open the housing cover by unscrewing the screws in order to carefully inspect all the engine parts. If other methods of correcting the situation have already been tried (reinstalling the plate, examining the space for a foreign object, cleaning grease and dried food, reducing the portion on the plate), you need to act depending on the type of breakdown:
If, when inspecting the gears in the gearbox, you notice worn-out teeth, you need to replace them; some “craftsmen” are able to repair the part by inserting a wire instead of a broken tooth; Having noticed the coupling sliding along the motor shaft, it is necessary to secure it more firmly or replace this element; Winding failure (burnout) leads to repair by a professional; the malfunction of this part can only be eliminated by replacing or updating the microwave motor. You should definitely indicate the model of your microwave oven when purchasing a new part for the engine; The problem of the plate not rotating due to an accumulated layer of fat and dirt can be eliminated quite simply with the help of cleaning products
It is worth noting how important it is not to “fill” the motor itself with water, to worsen the situation. Having dried the inner chamber well, you need to correctly install the tray and try to turn on the microwave again; If a problem is found in the wiring and there is suspicion of a malfunction of the circuit, it is necessary to find a break (a burnt-out element, such as a light bulb) and install a new part to replace the one that is not working;
In order for the microwave oven to serve for a long time, without failures or breakdowns, you must carefully read the operating instructions from the very beginning. And also, carry out timely cleaning, follow all the rules according to the instructions, do not load the microwave and follow the cooking and heating modes.
Check power
If you find that a plate is broken and the microwave is not heating, it is likely that it is simply not receiving power. Perhaps the wires in the motor are burnt out or the microcircuits are damaged. This problem often happens in homes where there is unstable voltage.
In addition, battery failure can be caused by water getting inside the housing - you will need to deal with the internal block of the stove. Without sufficient electrical knowledge and skills, you should not fix such problems yourself. If you don’t want to break anything else, entrust the work to qualified specialists.
Depending on the causes of the malfunction and the cost of repair, you will make a decision: repair or dispose of it.
Should I repair it myself or at a service center?
Before you start repairing a microwave oven yourself, make sure that the warranty period has expired and you are absolutely sure that you can repair the microwave oven. But remember that without the necessary knowledge and experience, you may not only fail to repair the stove, but even worsen its condition. Unknowingly, you can damage working parts. And this will not only complicate the repair, but also increase its cost.
The right decision would be to turn to service professionals. A qualified technician will repair the microwave at home in Moscow. All types of work are guaranteed. We work only with original spare parts.
