Microwaves are designed for the sole purpose of heating up food, liquid, or raw food by means of high frequencies. However, one of the common issues with Microwaves that anyone may encounter or is suffering right now is its sudden loss of ability to heat up food.
It could be caused by gradual deterioration through ordinary wear and tear, or even faulty parts.
In this article, we’ll show you how you can find out why your frigidaire microwave is not heating up and layout a quick simple solution to get it running up again.
1. The Door Switch May Not Be Activating
The door switches of your Frigidaire microwave aren’t actuating as a safety measure. Hence, it’s unable to start and heat your food.
One of the most common issues of microwaves, in general, is door switches failing. Microwaves are designed to be safe to use, and as such have several safety measures built into them such as multiple door switches.
These switches actuate in sequence in order to make sure that the microwave door closes securely. However, if a switch fails to actuate, the microwave will not start and heat up your food.
You can find out if a door switch is defective by using a multimeter to test for continuity. If even just one of the door switches does not have continuity, it would be best to get it replaced.
As a caution, microwave ovens generally store lethal amounts of electricity in the capacitor. Due to the risk of electric shock, it’s ideal to have it repaired by Frigidaire service personnel or have a licensed technician do the work for you.
2. The Diode has Burned Out
The diode of your Frigidaire microwave has burned out, and the magnetron isn’t receiving enough voltage to operate and heat up your food.
The diode’s purpose is to convert the A/C power output to D/C and increase the voltage. Without it, the magnetron won’t have enough voltage to perform its job. When the diode burns out, your microwave won’t get enough power to heat up the food. A burned-out diode is usually a sign of it already failing.
It’s important to know that the risk of electrocution is high when repairing microwaves as they require high voltage and high currents to heat up your food. Microwave diodes are typically located near the high-voltage capacitor. A word of warning – high-voltage capacitors can be fatal as they can store lethal amounts of electricity.
Microwave diodes can be replaced. However, do take note of safety warnings and procedures before attempting the repair. If you’re not confident to repair your microwave or replace its parts, you may contact the Frigidaire customer support team or get in touch with a licensed technician.
3. The Magnetron Has Become Faulty
The magnetron of your Frigidaire microwave has burned out and cannot generate the microwave frequency that heats up your food.
The purpose of microwave magnetron is to generate high-power electromagnetic waves. If this part burns out, your microwave won’t be able to heat food anymore.
Burned-out magnetrons need to be replaced in order for the microwave to be able to heat food again.
Microwave ovens often require a significant amount of power. With that said, it can store amounts of electricity that can be lethal. If you are inexperienced in repairs or you’re not confident in replacing the magnetron yourself, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Visit your nearest Frigidaire service center or have a licensed technician do it for you.
4. Main Control Board Has Become Defective
The main control board of your Frigidaire microwave has become faulty. Typically, main control boards rarely malfunction. Replacing it is a last resort when all other parts of the microwave have been checked and are still working normally.
The main control board functions as the brain of your microwave.
Faulty main control boards of microwave ovens are often misdiagnosed. However, it’s also important to note that while they rarely malfunction, it may also break down and become faulty through the years of use or other means.
With that said, it’s the first ideal to check all other parts and issues before trying to have the main control board replaced. If you find that all of the other microwave components are operating normally, the main control board needs to be replaced.
To reiterate, microwave ovens are capable of storing high amounts of electricity that is lethal. Replacing the main control board of your microwave is best left for the professionals. Check with Frigidaire customer support to schedule a repair or find a licensed technician in your area.
5. The Thermoprotector Has Tripped
The thermoprotector of your Frigidaire microwave has tripped and caused the microwave to stop operating.
If a microwave overheats, the Thermo protector immediately cuts off power to the microwave. In order to find out if the Thermo protector is faulty, you can use a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is none, it can be replaced.
You may contact Frigidaire customer support to get it serviced or have it checked with a licensed technician to get it repaired.
Read More: Frigidaire Microwave Keeps Blowing Fuse (Here’s How To Fix!)
6. The Line Fuse is Blown
The line fuse of your Frigidaire microwave has blown and won’t start.
If there’s too much current passing through your microwave’s circuity, this will cause the fuse to blow. In this case, the microwave won’t be able to start.
In order to check if the line fuse has blown and is the one causing the issue of your microwave not starting, you can use a multimeter to test for continuity. If the line fuse does not have continuity, your best course of action is to get it replaced. It’s also important to figure out what caused the fuse to blow in order to prevent it from happening again once you have it replaced.
In order to get the appropriate fuse and have it replaced and installed, have it serviced at a Frigidaire service center in your area or find a locally licensed technician and have it checked.
7. The High Voltage Transformer is Failing
Your Frigidaire microwave’s high voltage transformer is failing and is unable to produce high voltage to supply the voltage for the magnetron to operate.
Microwave ovens have a high voltage transformer that supplies power to the magnetron antenna. This failing would mean that it won’t be able to heat up your food anymore.
Generally, a burning smell is an indication of a failing transformer. As microwave ovens store high amounts of electricity that can be lethal. If it needs to be replaced, it would be preferable to contact the Frigidaire customer support to have your microwave oven scheduled for a repair. You may also get in touch with a licensed technician to have it checked and repaired.
8. The High Voltage Capacitor Has Become Faulty
The high voltage capacitor of your Frigidaire microwave isn’t working anymore, causing your microwave to not heat up your food.
The microwave high voltage capacitor works hand in hand with the high voltage diode in order to convert the output to DC and double the output voltage. However, if the high voltage capacitor has burned out, the circuitry will not work and the microwave won’t be able to heat up your food.
A VOM meter with a capacitance testing capability can be used to determine if the high voltage capacitor is already faulty.
The official Frigidaire service center or a locally licensed technician can help check the issue further and advise how to repair or replace the high voltage capacitor.
9. Microwave May Not Be Plugged Properly
Your Frigidaire microwave isn’t plugged properly into the electrical outlet and cannot eat your food because it’s not turning on.
As simple as this issue sounds, one of the most common problems for microwave ovens not turning on and not being able to heat up your food is because it’s not plugged in properly to the outlet.
If this is the case, simply check if you have it plugged in properly. You may also check the wall switches or the power strip it’s connected to if it’s on.
You may also try other appliances or devices in the same outlet to help diagnose or isolate the issue. You may also try a different outlet.
It’s important to note that microwave ovens typically use high amounts of electricity and it may not be able to heat if there are other high voltage appliances operating in the same circuit.
10. Microwave Parameters may be Insufficient
Your Frigidaire microwave may not be heating up your food due to incorrect settings that you have selected when operating your microwave.
Microwave ovens have different functions and features designated for each food. It can even set a timer to heat up food for a specified amount of time.
First, you will want to check if you’re using the right setting for the food you’re trying to heat up. There are a lot of symbols and operations in your microwave oven that you may be mistaking one for another.
Microwave ovens can defrost frozen foods without heating them up. Now, while this setting may be different from one microwave to another, this generally uses low temperature and circulates the air through the microwave in order to defrost frozen food.
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