When it comes to using a microwave, the main concern is that the appliance can heat and cook food without difficulty, but the fan must be working properly to do so. If you are having trouble with your microwave fan, what can be done?
To troubleshoot microwave fan problems, check to see if the grease filter is saturated, allow proper time for electrical components to cool down after using the fan, allow the automatic fan feature to run when necessary, and replace fan filters if they are preventing airflow.
Placing food or other heatable items into a microwave, closing the door, selecting the heating time or setting, and pressing start are typically how most microwaves are used. However, if the interior fan or ventilation fan of your microwave isn’t working, this simple process of heating food or keeping an area well ventilated may not be possible. If your microwave fan is having problems, read on to find your exact issue and the solution to resolve it.
Troubleshooting Microwave Fan Problems
The fan on a microwave might only be used occasionally for some owners, but this element of the appliance is what works to not only remove excess heat from the item being cooked or heated on the stovetop, but also works to protect electrical items beneath the microwave from getting too hot. If you notice that the fan of your microwave is not working as it should and is indicating a problem exists, what troubleshooting steps can be taken?
To troubleshoot microwave fan problems, check to see if the grease filter is saturated, allow proper time for electrical components to cool down after using the fan, allow the automatic fan feature to run when necessary, and replace fan filters if they are preventing airflow.
Microwave Fan Won’t Turn Off/Shut Off
The microwave fan is designed to remove surface heat from the stovetop below it, but will also run when too high of heat has reached the electrical components for an extended period of time. Most individuals will have the option to turn the fan off and on as they wish, but what do you do if you are not able to turn off the vent fan of your microwave?
If your Microwave fan won’t turn off or shut off, be sure you have allowed proper time for the microwave to cool after cooking. If the fan is too hot and the electrical components are overheated, the fan will remain on until they have cooled completely. During this time, avoid cooking.
Microwave Fan Won’t Turn On
If you are in the middle of frying homemade fries up, have all four burners working and cooking in preparation for a Friday night dinner, or have accidently burned the sauce you were hoping to pair with the perfect chicken wings, the fan on your microwave can come in to be a big save when there is lots of heat and maybe even a little smoke. However, if you find yourself in a similar position and go to turn on the microwave fan but it won’t turn on, what is the problem?
If your microwave fan won’t turn on, it could be that the grease filter has become too saturated and needs to be replaced. If you have never replaced the grease filter and have owned the microwave for a long period of time, replacing the grease filter may easily get the device running again.
Microwave Fan Automatically Turned On
When it comes to using a microwave fan, many owners have the ability to deliberately turn the fan off and on at their will, making the fan an almost tailored experience because there is no need for the fan to run at all times. If you are in the middle of your kitchen or living room and notice that you hear the sound of the fan running when no one has selected this feature, why would it be doing this and what can you do to get it to stop?
If your microwave fan automatically turned on, this is likely caused by the automatic fan feature that is within the appliance. If the thermostat senses temperatures that are dangerous for the electrical components, the fan will turn on and remain on until the unit has cooled completely.
Microwave Fan Not Pulling or Not Suction
When seeing a microwave fan in action where there is either smoke or steam, you will notice that these items are visibly pulled from the stovetop and into the fan on the microwave in an effort to eradicate extra heat and keep the area from filling with smoke or overheating. This process should start as soon as the microwave is pulled on, but what do you do if your microwave fan is not pulling or suctioning the air as it should?
If your microwave fan is not pulling or suctioning air, the fan filters of your appliance may be caked with residue and will thus need to be replaced. If air cannot flow through the filters, air cannot be pulled, but keep in mind that the microwave should never operate when filters are removed.
Microwave Fan Keeps Running When Door is Open
Similar to a venting fan, there is an interior fan within microwaves that turns on to remove excess heat while also working to keep electrical components safe from overheating. This fan is employed during heating sessions and will remain on when there are times where the interior of the microwave needs more help cooling. If you have a microwave and the fan continues to run even when the door is open though, what could be the cause of this?
If your microwave fan keeps running when the door is open, it could be that the door switch is faulty. If the door switch has damage or is not interlocking as it should, the message that the door is opened or closed will not relay and can cause the fan to continue running even when open.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 5, 2022.
Microwave Fan Turns On When Door Opens
When opening the door of your microwave, the most common item to be on within is the light and occasionally, the fan will still be running if electrical components still need to be cooled down. If you notice that your microwave fan turns on every time you open the door though, steps need to be taken to resolve the issue. If your microwave fan turns on when the door opens, continue reading below to see what the most likely cause is.
If your microwave fan turns on when the door opens, it is likely that the door switch is damaged or faulty. When this piece is not working properly, it can cause the fan to turn on as soon as the door opens which means that the item either needs to be repaired or replaced.
Microwave Fan Keeps Running When Door is Closed
As previously noted, the fan on a microwave not only works to keep items from getting too hot when in the middle of heating or cooking, but also works to protect essential interior electrical components from overheating and being potentially damaged. The fan will normally run during the course of a heating cycle, but if you notice that the fan is running when the door is closed and you are not actively using the microwave, why would it be doing this?
If your microwave fan keeps running when the door is closed, it could be that the appliance is simply cooling off after the last heating session. If you have recently used the microwave and close the door immediately, the fan may still need to run to cool the interior.
Microwave Fan Turns On When Door Closes
When closing the door of your microwave, you should be able to see that the interior lights go out and that all functions have stopped until selected once again at another time. Though, if you close the door and hear that the fan continues to turn on for no apparent reason and you have not recently cooked within the microwave, read on to see what might be the cause of this problem and what can be done.
If your microwave fan turns on when the door closes, the most likely explanation to such a problem is the door switch. If the door switch is damaged or misaligned, it will give incorrect signals to the motor which could lead to the fan turning on when the door closes.
Microwave Fan Runs But No Heat
Microwaves can thaw, cook through, boil, and warm up all with the press of a few simple buttons, but the element that is most needed to make such processes possible is heat. Heating is the sole purpose of a microwave, so when this is not happening, the appliance is rendered useless. If you have a microwave with a fan that is running but is not actually heating, what could be the cause of such a major problem?
If your microwave fan runs but there is no heat, the magnetron may be broken. The magnetron works to produce heat and when it is broken or not fully operational, this will cause heat to stop within the appliance. If the magnetron is damaged, it will need to be replaced.
Microwave Fan Making Loud Noises
When it comes to microwaves, these appliances are not known for their discreteness when it comes to the noise they produce when operating. Microwaves are incredibly convenient, but for most, you are going to hear them, at least to some degree, when in use. However, if you notice that the fan on your microwave is much louder than normal and is making strange noises that you aren’t used to hearing, this can certainly be cause for concern.
If your microwave fan is making loud noises, it could be that the fan has become dislodged or misaligned. Be sure that the fan is in its proper place and while doing so, clean the fan thoroughly of any debris that you see around it, as this can also cause loud sounds when operating.
How to Reset Microwave Fan
Although many of the previous sections discussed very specific problems when it comes to dealing with a microwave fan, there are times when specificity simply is not possible and a more general solution needs to be given to resolve a problem that someone can’t quite pinpoint. If the fan in your microwave is having problems and you aren’t sure what exactly to do to resolve the issue, read on to see how to reset the fan of the appliance.
To reset a microwave fan, reset the entire microwave by either pressing an ‘Off/Clear’ button for three seconds (depending on the brand), or unplugging it or disconnecting it from power for a few seconds before restoring power once again.
To troubleshoot microwave fan problems, check that the door switch is not damaged or faulty, allow ample time for the microwave to cool down after use, replace the magnetron if damaged or broken, be sure the fan is aligned properly and no debris is obstructing it, and try resetting the microwave.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 5, 2022.