6 Reasons Why Samsung Microwave Not Heating – Let’s Fix It

If the Samsung microwave not heating food, it’s likely that something within the microwave is broken or malfunctioning. The good news is there are several things you can do to troubleshoot the situation in an effort to repair the issue without calling a professional repair technician. Even though Samsung is a reputed brand, still users are facing this problem quite often. The reason behind this problem could be any of the internal or external issues. Internal issues are generally internal circuit board failure, fuse failure, door switch failure, electronic control board failure etc.

As a homeowner, it is vital to make sure you know how to take care of your home appliances. Most problems that arise with in-home appliances can be easily fixed in a short period of time. However, when an appliance like a microwave goes out and you need to replace it, you’re going to need to know how the appliance works and what kind of maintenance you should be doing in order to get the most out of this purchase.

Samsung Microwave Not Heating – Troubleshoot and Diagnosis

IMPORTANT: If you have a microwave that has stopped working, consider calling in an electrician before attempting to either fix it yourself or order a new one. While it’s true that microwaves often lose their functionality after 6-7 years, they can still store electricity even when unplugged. Whether your microwave is broken or just needs to be replaced, the voltage they hold can cause life-threatening injuries.

Microwaves contain a multitude of parts and components, and sometimes these parts and components fail and break down.

When your microwave breaks, it’s tempting to throw it out and buy a new one. But before you do that, try calling the manufacturer. Before you call them, there are a few things you need to check.

• Ensure that Timer function is not ON
  Some people think that the timer button on the microwave actually cooks the food, which it does not. This is why you can put food in the microwave and then press the timer button (and nothing else) and it will cook the food, because it’s doing nothing more than counting down.
• Ensure that door is properly closed
  Make sure your microwave’s door is closed all the way, but don’t slam it shut. Shutting too hard may damage one of the switches that control it.
• Ensure that the Samsung microwave is not in Demo mode
  Demo Mode is a special setting on some microwaves which allows users to operate all of the microwave’s cooking functions without actually heating anything. The Demo Mode is often activated by pushing a button or sliding a switch labelled “Demo,” and it usually removes all power from the heating components in the microwave. The easiest way to tell if a microwave is in Demo mode is to set a cooking time and start it. A microwave in Demo mode will count down much faster than usual.

If your Samsung microwave isn’t heating up, this could be due to any one of the following reasons:

Faulty Diode

The transformer converts the A/C current from the electricity source into a 3,000-4,000-volt D/C current or direct current. The diode blocks the negative portion of the cycle and allows only the positive half cycles through to the load. The magnetron uses this high voltage power to create a stream of electrons that heat up a food’s molecules.

If your microwave suddenly stops working, it might be because of a common problem called “Diode Failure”. It occurs when the Diode burns out, which takes place when the magnetron doesn’t get enough voltage. Look for any symptoms of overheating symptoms. If you see any symptoms like blackening, bulging or deformation, make sure to replace them immediately.

If you’re not sure if the diode is bad or if you need to confirm with an ohmmeter, use a multimeter that has a 9-volt battery attached. When you plug in the meter, put the red lead on one terminal of the diode and the black lead on the other terminal. If the resistance is infinite (no continuity) when they are reversed, then it’s most likely that the diode is bad.

Defective Door Switch

A microwave oven door has three or four switches on it. When you close the door, a switch closes on each side of the door. This tells the microwave that the door is closed and it begins to cook. The microwave will not work unless all of the door switches are working properly.

To test the microwave door switches, remove any screws holding the door’s outer covering in place around the switch itself. Place the tip of your multimeter into the slot that the switch normally occupies. Make sure that you are testing each switch in order that way you can see which one is not functioning correctly. If your multimeter reads no continuity when you place it over any of the switches, immediately replace the switch.

Burnt Out Magnetron

If you have a Samsung microwave, you probably already know that a magnetron powers it. In case you don’t, a magnetron is a tube that generates microwaves using a stream of electrons. These microwaves then bounce around in the cooking chamber and heat up your food. If your magnetron doesn’t work, your microwave stops heating food.

If the magnetron malfunctions, you must replace it.

Burnt Out High Voltage Capacitor

The high voltage capacitor is a valuable addition to your microwave. The capacitor stores energy when the transformer converts AC to DC voltage for the magnetron tube. The stored energy allows the diode to output more DC voltage when needed. This boosted voltage can double or even triple the output of your microwave.

When the high-voltage capacitor in your microwave oven is burned out, the device will stop heating food. To determine if the capacitor is defective, use a multimeter with capacitance detection.

Failed High Voltage Transformer

The microwave transformer works by transferring energy from one circuit to another. It is made from a special electromagnetic material that can withstand high voltage. If your microwave transformer is broken, you will probably notice a burning smell. That’s a sure sign the transformer has gone bad, and you should replace it immediately!

Blown Thermal Fuse

A thermal fuse prevents the microwave from overheating by cutting off its power supply to prevent damage. If you have a damaged thermal fuse, it may be necessary to replace the fuse with an original part.

If the microwave is not working, check if the fuse is blown. To check, use the multimeter to test the fuse for continuity. If it doesn’t have continuity, then replace it with a new fuse. The thermal fuse cannot be reset, so if it’s blown, you need to replace it with a new one.

Tripped Thermoprotector

The thermoprotector  is a sensor that prevents the microwave from overheating. If the sensor detects that the microwave is too hot, it shuts down power to the unit, shutting off its ability to heat. This can happen if your microwave gets blocked by food or if you don’t unload it properly after use.

First, you’ll need a multimeter. With the power off at the breaker, take one of the leads from your meter and place it on one of the screws that run through the thermoprotector. Take the other lead and touch it to the middle prong of a standard US outlet. If there is no reading, then your microwave may have a faulty thermoprotector.

Why Is My Samsung Microwave Not Heating Up Food

The Samsung microwave has an irregular heating pattern that may not heat your food evenly.

Microwaves produce a lot of heat from the magnetron tube but only through a small area, the tinfoil covering the magnetron is very thin and does not protect against this uneven heating. Most people will never notice because it scrubs off when you stir your food or if you continue to use it eventually some parts will be thoroughly cooked and some will still be cold.

Samsung microwaves are notoriously finicky, but there is good reason for this. The self-cleaning setting causes the most problems because it runs so long — sometimes upwards of an hour — and it is in direct contact with the heating element. If you find your microwave isn’t heating thoroughly or at all, open the door, pull out the tray, and turn on the regular microwave function to heat a few minutes before turning the self-cleaning function off again.