Frigidaire microwave not heating

What to expect when you experience a Frigidaire microwave not heating issue

How is the not heating problem fixed?

Correcting most not heating problems usually involves replacing the thermostat, electronic control board 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 is not heating

When the microwave is not heating 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 not heating 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.

Why is my Frigidaire microwave running but not heating?

When the turntable rotates and the fan runs but the microwave doesn’t heat, it’s possible that an internal fuse has blown. There are several types of fuses that can prevent the microwave from heating. The magnetron fuse will prevent the magnetron from getting power needed to heat the microwave. A control board fuse will prevent the electronic control board from sending power to microwave parts that produce heat in the microwave cavity. A thermal fuse keeps the microwave from drawing too much current when a short occurs. The thermal fuse prevents the microwave from heating in some models. The wiring diagram for your microwave shows the various fuses in your model.

When a fuse blows and the microwave won’t heat even though it runs, you may be tempted to fix the problem by replacing the blown fuse yourself. Because of the dangers of attempting a DIY microwave repair noted above, we highly recommend that you have a service technician diagnose and repair a heating failure. A service tech will safely discharge the capacitor and check the heating components before replacing the fuse. The technician will also check for radiation leakage using proper testing equipment after completing the repair.

Don’t risk your life or health by attempting a DIY microwave repair. It’s not worth it. If your microwave stops heating and you can resolve the problem using basic troubleshooting described here or in the owner’s manual, have the microwave repaired by a professional service provider such as Sears Home Services or replace the microwave.

What is the average life of a Frigidaire microwave?

Most Frigidaire microwaves last an average of about 8 to 10 years with proper cleaning and maintenance.

Make sure that you properly clean the inside of the microwave cavity regularly to avoid arcs and sparks that can scar the inside liner. A damaged liner can cause the microwave to trip a fuse and stop heating or cause premature failure of other parts in the microwave so that it doesn't last as long as expected.

If you do see arc marks inside the microwave, follow the steps in this video to touch up arc marks yourself if they’re small enough to repair:

Keeping your Frigidaire microwave clean and repairing small arc and burn marks will help lengthen its lifespan.

If you find arc or burn marks too large to touch up on your own, you’ll likely need to have a Sears Home Services technician repair the microwave or you’ll need to replace the unit.