Microwave burning smell

Common reasons your microwave burning smell

The most common reasons your microwave has a burning smell are a cracked heating element, malfunctioning electronic control board or a worn fan bearing.

64% of the time it's the
Heating Element

13% of the time it's the
Electronic Control Board

7% of the time it's the
Fan Bearing

16% of the time it's the
Something else

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Common microwave repair parts you may need

Replacing one of these microwave parts may fix your problem.

Heating Element Replacement

If the microwave's heating element is cracked, it won't generate heat, leading to improper browning or cooking of food in convection baking mode. Additionally, food splattering on the heating element can create smoke and odors inside the microwave, potentially damaging the element. A shorted element may also emit smoke and odors. When your microwave's heating element stops working, it's advisable to have a Sears Home Services professional inspect and repair the issue.

Why is my microwave not heating?

Electronic Control Board Replacement

If the electronic control board in a microwave isn't working properly, it can cause several problems, like no power or heat, or it might keep the microwave from turning off. This happens because the board is like the brain of the microwave. It controls important parts such as the magnetron (which heats food), cooling fans, lights, turn-table motor, cooking times, power level settings, and the display. When the electronic control board isn't working right, it can mess up communication between lots of different parts. A faulty board might make a chattering or clicking noise, or you might smell something burning. Since it can affect many parts, it's best to have a Sears Home Services professional check the board with diagnostic tests to see if it needs replacing.

Why is my microwave not heating?

Fan Bearing Replacement

If the bearing in a fan is worn, the fan won't spin like it should. Without the fan, parts inside the microwave might get too hot, causing a thermal switch to turn off or a fuse to blow, which shuts down the microwave. The rubbing from the worn bearing on the fan's shaft can create a burning smell. Since microwaves have high-voltage parts like transformers and capacitors that can hold dangerous electricity even when unplugged, it's important to have a Sears Home Services professional check the microwave and handle any needed repairs.

Are DIY appliance repairs safe?

What to expect when you experience a microwave burning smell issue

How to fix the burning smell problem

Addressing most instances of burning smell issues typically entails replacing the heating element, electronic control board, or fan bearing. Nonetheless, given the numerous potential causes, conducting a thorough diagnosis is crucial for resolving the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential for determining the extent of the repair required.

Sears Home Services solutions for a microwave burning smell

When your microwave emits a burning smell, there could be various reasons behind it. To prevent unnecessary part replacements, we suggest having a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests to pinpoint the root cause of the issue. Our technicians have extensive experience in diagnosing all kinds of microwave problems.

What consider for a microwave burning smell diagnosis

Figuring out what's wrong with modern appliances without the right knowledge and training can be hard. If you don't use the right diagnostic techniques, trying to fix your microwave problem might just mean guessing and changing parts. Appliances, especially newer ones from the past 10 years, have gotten really advanced, with lots of electronic parts that are tricky to check. Doing your own repairs on the latest appliance models is getting harder and harder.

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microwave

Mark really went over the microwave trying to fix it, this was his second time here for the same problem. August till ? till we get it replaced. we appreciate him for his knowledge of his job. thank you Mark

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Mr. David is very polite and intelligent gentlemen. He came to replace a part on my microwave and he checked the microwave to make sure it was working properly. Mr. David gave me a courtesy call that he will be arriving in 15mins. He arrived on time for the appointment and took care of his job duties. Thanks Mr. David for all the hard work you do at Sears. Keep up all the good work.

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