After setting the soup bowl or even the left-over chicken breast on the microwave oven's glass turntable to warm up a quick lunch, you're dismayed to uncover the turntable isn't turning whenever you press start. The microwave seems to be functioning otherwise, so why is certainly not glass plate rotating? In the following paragraphs, we'll address how the turntable operates, the very best reasons for why it's not working, and just how you can fix the problem yourself.
Can you apply the microwave without the glass plate?
Is the turntable even essential to heat up the food? No, it's not necessary for the microwave to work, but a properly operating turntable will improve performance.
Microwave ovens use a magnetron to emit radio waves which traverse a wave guide (attached to the side of the interior cavity wall) before entering the kitchen area. Once inside the cooking area, radio stations waves cause water molecules within the food to vibrate intensely, generating heat which cooks the meals from the outside in. By rotating the food during this process, the turntable allows the radio waves to cook the food more evenly. Without a properly working turntable, you may find that chicken white meat to be pleasantly warm on one end and cold alternatively.
Why won't the microwave turntable turn?
The glass tray will normally have protruding tabs molded on the bottom of the tray that align using the notches in a turntable drive coupling. The rotating coupling is driven with a motor located directly below the cavity floor. A support ring with small rollers props up the tray so it can rotate evenly.
If the turntable won't turn, these are the five most likely causes:
- Defective turntable motor – If you suspect the turntable motor might be defective, you can use a multimeter to check the motor for electrical continuity – a continuing electrical path present in the component. When the motor tests negative for continuity, it will need to be replaced.
- Stripped drive coupling – If the coupling is stripped or broken, it might not be able to engage with the motor shaft or even the tabs on the tray. Most couplings are easily removed, allowing you to inspect it for damage.
- Damaged support ring – The rollers on the support ring may become damaged or jam because of food residue collecting on the cavity floor, preventing the ring from rotating. This part is easy to inspect and replace.
- Malfunctioning touchpad & user interface – If the turntable is operated with a dedicated on/off button (as opposed to continually rotating each time the appliance is heating), the button might be malfunctioning. In this case, you will probably need to replace the entire touchpad and control panel to solve the problem.
- Faulty main control board – Although it isn't a common cause, the main control board in the microwave could be faulty. You need to first confirm the turntable motor isn't receiving power and the other components are intact before considering replacing the control board.
Accessing and replacing a turntable motor or drive coupling
Since a defective motor or drive coupling are the two most likely reasons for a turntable to not turn, let's take a look at how you can replace these parts with brand new ones. The good news is that for many mounted microwaves (such as microwave oven/vent hood combos), the turntable motor could be replaced without having to fully uninstall the system from its mounting plate. While repair procedures will differ from model-to-model, here are some general steps you are able to follow:
- Unplug the microwave oven's power cord (for microwaves mounted over a stovetop or range, the cord is normally plugged into an outlet in a cabinet directly over the appliance).
- Lift off the glass tray or plate to access the drive coupling.
- Pull the coupling straight up to detach it in the motor shaft. You can now inspect the coupling for harm to determine if it is stripped or broken.
- To access the motor, unthread the screws securing the microwave's bottom access panel. Most microwave bottom panels are hinged in the rear; once the screws are removed, the panel will rotate back. You may want to disconnect a light wire connecter to completely release the panel. Be aware: if the microwave oven is built-in, you will have to fully uninstall the appliance to reach the bottom access panel (you need to refer to the installation manual for instructions on how to do this).
- Remove the wires from the motor terminals or disconnect the wire connecter. On some models, you may have to detach a terminal cover to reach the wires.
- Unthread the mounting screw or screws securing the motor to get rid of it. You may need to rotate the motor to fully release it.
- When installing a new turntable motor, you may need to transfer a seal in the old motor shaft to the new one.
- Insert the motor shaft with the hole in the cavity floor and in to the coupling, if still in place, then rotate the motor into position, if necessary. Rethread the mounting screw or screws to secure.
- Connect the wire connecter or attach the wires towards the motor terminals and close the terminal cover, if applicable.
- Rotate the underside access panel upwards and reconnect the sunshine wire connecter if required.
- Fully position the panel then replace all of the screws to secure.
- Replace the drive coupling, or install a new coupling, by positioning it around the motor shaft.
- Confirm the support ring is in place, then align the glass tray on the coupling.
- Plug the power cord in and your microwave oven should be ready to be used.
Always put safety first when attempting a microwave repair
Because of the hollywood and high current used by microwave ovens, be aware that repairing this appliance poses a substantial risk for injury or death if precautions are not taken. You should always unplug the microwave before you decide to attempt any disassembly. Since high voltage capacitors used in microwaves may retain a charge even after the microwave continues to be unplugged, we recommend that only experienced professionals access and replace internal components.
Repair Clinic stocks the microwave oven parts to fix your problem
Repair Clinic has the appliance parts to keep the turntable turning, including replacement glass trays, turntable motors, drive couplings, support rings, touchpads, and control boards. But you'll want to make sure you're selecting the right part that works with your particular microwave, whether you depend on a stand-alone, built-in, oven/vent hood combo, or convection model made by GE, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, Samsung, LG, Kenmore, or Panasonic. Begin by entering the full model number of the microwave in the Repair Clinic website search bar to determine a complete list of compatible parts. You can narrow that list using the appropriate part category filter (for example “Glass Tray, Coupler, and Support Roller”) and also the part title filter (“Glass Tray Drive Coupling”) to recognize the exact part you need.
