A microwave is one of the most important kitchen appliances that we rely on for our daily meal needs. These electronic appliances do not come cheap and need to function properly to serve fresh and hot meals. But microwaves tend to run into problems that can be irritating. One of them is related to the plate or turntable not spinning. You may have to consult appliance repair services if it’s not a simple obstruction or misalignment. Below, we will explain the potential reasons and discuss troubleshooting tips to help you get through this problem.
Can You Still Use A Microwave If The Turntable Is Not Working?
Yes, you can still use a microwave if its turntable is not spinning. However, the turntable is for equal heat distribution to the food, so if it’s not working, every part of the food might not heat up equally.
Reasons Why Your Oven Turntable Is Not Working
Turntable Switch Malfunction
Your microwave comes with a turntable switch that signals the plate to spin when needed. You have to keep in mind that microwaves are fairly simple appliances but comprise several different components. These components work together as a team to warm up the meals.
So, if any of the components were to malfunction, the microwave would not be able to function properly. That said, if the turntable switch happens to malfunction, the plate might not be able to rotate. That’s because the switch won’t signal the plate. For fixing this issue, you will need to access the switch.
Although the turntable switch is usually located in more or less the same area in most microwaves, it can be slightly different based on the variant. So, the best way to access the switch is by reading the user manual. Plus, you will need to use special tools to turn off the microwave and ensure it is not hot before proceeding.
Driver Coupler Issues
This is the device that links the motor of the turntable to carousel. With time, it could be loose or simply malfunction due to constant functioning and may prevent the plate from spinning as a result. To fix this issue, you will have to remove the glass tray and inspect the driver coupler.
If it happens to be loose or damaged, you will need to replace it with the exact part. Contact the manufacturer or consult an expert to help you source the part. Another noteworthy factor you need to keep in mind while fixing microwave issues is that you should not try to experiment with malfunctioning parts or components unless you have sufficient knowledge and skills.
This is because you might end up damaging a component that could cost you an expensive replacement.
Obstructions And Misalignment
If your microwave turntable is not working and you are not able to diagnose the issue, the problem may be in sight but you might not be able to spot it. For instance, if there are obstructions or simply a misalignment, your turntable will either struggle to turn or won’t turn at all.
There can be many reasons for it such as old age or recent maintenance. With time, the components of the microwave tend to wear and loosen up which causes the plate to malfunction as well. On the other hand, most homeowners ignore the basic maintenance of microwaves.
This can result in food leftovers obstructing the plate causing issues with the operations. So, you should take a look and observe if there is anything unusual with the plate. Look for unusual signs & symptoms that you are not able to spot.
And, if the turntable happens to be misaligned, you will need to consult an expert. It might be that your microwave was recently serviced and the plate was not properly aligned.
Misalignment or leveling problems are common everywhere. Even in commercial settings, refrigerators and freezers can cause problems only because they are not on a level surface or something is blocking the vents. So, before contacting commercial appliance repair Springfield companies, check these things first.
Microwave Mode Selection
Certain microwave models come with different types of modes that signal the turntable to not rotate. If you have accidentally selected a mode that disables the rotation feature, the turntable will remain stationary. To make sure you haven’t selected any such mode, you will need to check the user manual and become familiar with the different types.
Plus, if you have multiple people in the house using the microwave, different modes are likely selected on an everyday basis. So, the problem may not be with the microwave itself but the mode someone has selected.
Faulty Turntable Motor
If you are almost done trying to troubleshoot the turntable and it is still not working properly, it could be that the turntable motor has malfunctioned. Although, the electronic components inside a microwave can withstand years but will give up without any signs & symptoms.
So, you might experience a problem just when you least expected it. If you have recently purchased a new microwave and the plate happens to be faulty, you will need to contact the manufacturer and use the warranty. However, if the oven itself happens to be old and the plate has malfunctioned, you should consider replacing the microwave.
At this point, the expense of repair and replacements is going to be near or a lot more than the actual price of the unit. So, it would be better if you spent it on a new unit.
Electrical Issues
Electrical issues are inevitable and will take place sooner or later. In the case of the microwave’s turntable not rotating, you will need to perform a thorough analysis of the situation. The issue can be electrical. But the problem here is that you might not know where to look at.
Microwaves contain a network of wires and components. If you were to play around with the wrong wire or component, you would simply add fuel to the fire. So, you must consult an expert. Electrical issues are quite frustrating. It could be as simple as the power supply being worn or cracked.
On the other hand, it could also be that the microwave itself is not receiving power. This could be due to a malfunctioning component inside.
How To Avoid Microwave Problems?
The best way to avoid microwave and other appliance problems is by scheduling professional maintenance. You might think that a microwave does not need a deep clean until it malfunctions and you are left with nothing but to pay a hefty amount to get it running back to normal.
If your microwave is used multiple times daily and you rely on it for your daily meals, you will need to ensure that it gets the treatment it deserves. Professional maintenance is not only about cleaning the unit but also looking for unusual signs & symptoms.
This allows the experts to fix or repair the issues beforehand. Sometimes, the problem might be evident but you may not be familiar with the unusual sound. An expert in this case will quickly find out the issue and fix it on the spot. This keeps your unit running smoothly for years to come.
Conclusion
Microwave turntable issues are quite simple to fix if you were to keep the tips mentioned above in mind. Make sure that you have your ears out for unusual signs and schedule expert maintenance. Call in an oven repair Northern VA expert if you can’t find the cause of the turntable not spinning. But if the microwave is old and needs frequent repairs and replacements, you should better get it replaced.