If your GE microwave is not heating, you have come to exactly the right place. In this article, we are going to talk about what may be causing the problem and how to fix it.
GE Microwave Runs But Doesn’t Heat Food
Why is your GE microwave running but not heating the food? Well, there are couple of reasons your GE microwave is not heating. It could be a blown fuse, a bad magnetron, door switch, or diode.
The Diode
To replace the diode in a GE microwave, do the following…
Step 1: First, make sure that the microwave is turned off and unplugged.
Step 2: Using a screwdriver, take out the two screws that hold the front grille of the microwave in place.
Step 3: To remove the grille, open the microwave door, slide the grille to the left then pull it out.
Step 4: Take out the screw next to the control panel to bring out the panel.
Step 5: Lift the panel up then out to remove.
Step 6: Remove the screw that secures inner access panel.
Step 7: Take out the panel.
Step 8: To prevent the risk of getting shocked, you will need to discharge the capacitor. You can do this by placing needle nose pliers between the two terminals of the capacitor.
Step 9: Take out the screw that holds the diode in place.
Step 10: Using the same needle nose pliers, disconnect the diode from the capacitor.
Step 11: If the diode looks damaged in any way, you will need to replace it.
Step 12: Get a new diode and connect it to the terminal on the capacitor.
Step 13: Screw the other end of the diode to the frame tightly.
Step 14: Return the inner access panel and screw it back into place.
Step 15: Insert the tabs on the control panel into the slots then push the panel down.
Step 16: Screw the panel back.
Step 17: Return the front grille and secure with the two screws.
Step 18: Plug the microwave back in.
Step 19: To test if the microwave is heating now, place one cup of water into it and microwave on high for 1 minute. If the water doesn’t come out hot, the issue didn’t appear as the result of a bad diode.
Note: The diode in a GE microwave sends high voltage to the magnetron in order for it to heat food. If the diode is bad, the magnetron won’t receive enough voltage to do so.
The video below will walk you through how to replace the diode in a GE microwave.
The Door Switch
To check and replace the door switches in a GE microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Start by turning the microwave off and unplugging. This is something you should always do before starting a repair on any appliance.
Another note of warning is to keep in mind that even after turning the microwave off, some components still house a dangerous amount of electricity. So, it is recommended for only a professional to access the inner parts of a microwave.
Step 2: Open the microwave door and take out the screws that hold the front grille in place.
Step 3: Take out the grille.
Step 4: Take out the screw on the left, right next to the control panel and loosen the other screw behind panel.
Step 5: Gently pull the panel out.
Step 6: Take out the two screws to be able to release the door switch assembly.
Step 7: Detach the switches and disconnect the wire connectors. Make sure to remember where each switch goes.
Step 8: To know if the switch is good or faulty, press the small red button at the top of each one. If you hear a strong click, the door switch is still okay. If not, get a replacement switch.
Step 9: Connect the wire connectors to the new switch.
Step 10: Position the switch into the assembly and snap into place.
Step 11: Realign the door switch assembly to the frame and secure with the two screws.
Step 12: Reposition the control panel and tighten the screw behind it.
Step 13: Return the screw beside it.
Step 14: Return the front grille and secure with the two screws.
Step 15: Plug the microwave back in and do the water test. If your GE microwave is not heating still, keep reading.
Note: Another reason your GE microwave is not heating may be because of a faulty door switch or switches. Since there are three door switches in most microwaves, you will need to determine which one of them is faulty before replacing.
If you would like a visual of how to replace the door switch in a GE microwave, watch the video below.
The Thermal Fuse
To replace the thermal fuse in a microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Turn off the microwave and unplug.
Step 2: Take out the two screws on the front grille that hold it in place.
Step 3: Open the microwave door and take out the grille.
Step 4: Take out the screw right beside the control panel and loosen the other one behind it.
Step 5: Lift the panel out.
Step 6: The thermal fuse will be at the right side at the bottom. Disconnect the wires connected to it.
Step 7: Take out the screw and remove the thermal fuse.
Step 8: Using a multimeter, test the fuse for continuity. If the fuse is good, you should hear a beep. If you don’t hear a beep, the fuse needs to be replaced.
Step 9: Get a new thermal fuse and screw it into place.
Step 10: Connect the wires to the fuse.
Step 11: Push the control panel back in and tighten the screw behind it.
Step 12: Return the screw next to the control panel.
Step 13: Put the front grille back and screw back with the two screws.
Step 14: Plug the microwave in and do the water test.
If your GE microwave is not heating after this, you might need to call a technician.
The video below will walk you through how to replace a GE microwave thermal fuse.
The Magnetron
If your GE microwave is not heating, it may be because of the magnetron. The magnetron is a very expensive component to replace. Since it costs a bit close to the price of a microwave, you need to determine whether this is actually the faulty component.
To test and replace the magnetron in a GE microwave, do the following…
Step 1: Unplug the microwave.
Step 2: Open the microwave door and take out the glass tray and support.
Step 3: Have another person support the microwave as you take out the bolts which secure it to the cabinet.
Step 4: Tilt the microwave forward and pass the power cord through the hole.
Step 5: Lift the microwave up and place on a sturdy surface lined with a towel or cloth.
Step 6: Take out the screws at the top of the front grille.
Step 7: Open the door of the microwave.
Step 8: Slide the grille to the left side then take it out.
Step 9: Close the microwave door and rest it on its back.
Step 10: Take out all the screws securing the bottom panel to the microwave.
Step 11: Disconnect the wire harness and release it from the retainer.
Step 12: Remove the bottom panel.
Step 13: Turn the microwave back.
Step 14: Take out all the screws at the top, back, and sides, which hold the microwave cover in place.
Step 15: Remove the microwave cover.
Step 16: Before going any further, you will need to discharge the capacitor. Do this by placing a pair of pliers over the terminals simultaneously.
Step 17: Disconnect the wire connector from the magnetron.
Step 18: Take out the screws which secure the magnetron to the frame.
Step 19: Disconnect the wires connected to the thermoprotector on the magnetron.
Step 20: Take out the screws securing the thermoprotector to the magnetron.
Step 21: Test the magnetron using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, you will need to replace the magnetron. If you do not know how to test the magnetron for continuity, click here
Step 22: Get a new magnetron and screw the thermoprotector to it.
Step 23: Reconnect the wires to the thermoprotector.
Step 24: Position the magnetron on the frame and screw into place.
Step 25: Reconnect the wire connector.
Step 26: Ensure that the power cord is secured.
Step 27: Reposition the microwave cover and secure at the top, back, and sides using the screws.
Step 30: Rest the microwave on its back and return the bottom panel to it.
Step 31: Reconnect the wire harness and secure it in the retainer.
Step 32: Screw the bottom panel back.
Step 33: Turn the microwave back and return the front grille.
Step 34: Secure the front grille with the screws.
Step 35: Lift the microwave up and hook on the mounting plate.
Step 36: Pass the power cord through the hole in the cabinet.
Step 37: Secure the microwave to the cabinet using the bolts.
Step 38: Return the glass tray and support.
Step 39: Plug the microwave back in.
The video below will walk you through how to replace a GE microwave magnetron.
The Capacitor
To test and replace the capacitor in a GE microwave, follow these steps…
Step 1: Turn off the microwave and unplug it from the outlet.
Step 2: Take out the bolts which secure the microwave to the cabinet. Make sure you have someone else supporting the microwave as you do this.
Step 3: Bend the microwave forward a bit and pass the power cord through the hole in the cabinet.
Step 4: Lift the microwave off the mounting plate on the wall.
Step 5: Place the microwave on a flat and sturdy surface lined with a cloth.
Step 6: If you haven’t taken out the glass tray and support, do it now.
Step 7: Take out the screws at the top of the microwave front vent.
Step 8: Slide the vent to the left side then take it out.
Step 9: Rest the microwave on its back.
Step 10: Take out all the screws that secure the bottom panel of the microwave.
Step 11: Disconnect the wire harness and release it from the retainer.
Step 12: Set the bottom panel aside.
Step 13: Turn the microwave back to its upright position.
Step 14: Take out all the screws at the top, sides, and back which hold the microwave cover in place.
Step 15: Remove the microwave cover.
Step 16: Discharge the capacitor. Do this by placing a pair of pliers on the two terminals of the capacitor simultaneously.
Step 17: Note where each wire goes on the capacitor then disconnect them.
Step 18: Take out the screws which secure the capacitor to the frame.
Step 19: Using a multimeter, test the capacitor. If there is no continuity, you will need to replace the capacitor. If you do not know how to test a capacitor using a multimeter, click here
Step 20: Get a new capacitor and transfer the bracket from the old one to the new one.
Step 21: Screw the capacitor to the frame.
Step 22: Reconnect the wires to the appropriate terminals of the capacitor.
Step 23: Ensure that the power cord is secured in the frame.
Step 24: Reposition the microwave cover and return the screws to secure.
Step 25: Lay the microwave on its back and return the bottom panel.
Step 26: Reconnect the wire harness and secure it in the retainer.
Step 27: Hold the bottom panel in place with the screws.
Step 28: Turn the microwave back up.
Step 29: Return the front grille and the screws at the top.
Step 30: Lift the microwave up and hook it on the mounting plate.
Step 31: Pass the power cord through the hole in the cabinet.
Step 32: Secure the microwave to the cabinet using the bolts.
Step 33: Return the glass tray and support.
Step 34: Plug the microwave back in.
If you would like a visual of how to safely replace the capacitor in a GE microwave, watch the video below.
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