Magic Chef Microwave Repair

If you need fast, efficient Magic Chef microwave oven repair at a fair price, choose Sears Home Services. We can fix your broken microwave whether you bought it from Sears or not.

You can depend on our technicians to complete the job on time. And because we screen all of our appliance repair technicians, you have peace of mind that all of our staff are trustworthy and reliable.

Whether you need a Magic Chef microwave door handle or door latch repair, microwave keypad repair, or your microwave oven isn't heating, we can help you.

Here’s a rundown of the common problems we see with Magic Chef microwaves and some expert tips on fixing some basic problems.

Won't Power On At All

Dead microwaves make everybody panic but it's usually something simple.

• The first thing to check is the obvious - is it actually plugged in? We can't tell you how many service calls end with our appliance repair technician just pushing a plug back into an outlet.

• Circuit breakers trip sometimes too, especially if you've got other kitchen gadgets running on the same circuit.

• GFCI outlets cause tons of microwave power failures. Those outlets with the little test/reset buttons protect against ground faults. They trip easily, especially in kitchens where there's moisture. Look for a reset button on the outlet itself. Sometimes one GFCI controls several other normal-looking outlets down the line too. Check all the GFCI outlets in your kitchen and reset any that have tripped.

• Power cords fail occasionally, especially where they enter the microwave. Wiggle it gently while the microwave is plugged in (careful now!) and see if it flickers on. That indicates a break in the cord. Replacing the cord is possible but getting into the connection area can be tricky on some models.

• Fuses blow inside the microwaves for protection. ALWAYS have a microwave repair technician check internal fuses and other components instead of trying to disassemble the microwave and check this issue yourself. Magic Chef and other brands of microwaves contain high-voltage capacitors inside that hold a lethal electrical charge even when the microwave power cord is unplugged. Don’t risk personal injury to save on a repair bill

We recently had a customer whose Magic Chef microwave would sometimes work, sometimes not. It turned out that the electrical outlet itself had loose wire connections and wasn't supplying good electrical power to the microwave. This is why we advise you to always check the simple stuff first.

Runs But Won't Heat

When everything seems normal - turntable spinning, light on, fan running - but food stays cold, you're often looking at high voltage circuit problems.

• The magnetron creates the actual microwaves that heat your food. When it fails, everything else works fine, but no heat happens. Checking magnetrons isn't a DIY job because of the dangerous voltages involved.

• Door switches sometimes fail in a weird way where the microwave runs but won't produce heat. Magic Chef uses multiple switches - some for safety and others for operation. A partial failure can allow fans and lights but prevent the heating circuit from activating.

• High voltage diodes convert AC power to DC for the magnetron. They fail pretty commonly. Bad diodes cause the same symptoms as magnetron failure - everything works except the heating. Testing requires a microwave service technician.

We recently visited a home to fix a Magic Chef microwave that ran fine but wouldn't heat. Our technician determined that the problem wasn't with the microwave at all - his house voltage was way too low. The tech measured only 95 volts at his outlet instead of the needed 120 volts. The electric company had to fix a bad wiring connection at the street.

Stops During Cooking

Magic Chef microwaves that quit mid-cycle drive everyone crazy.

• Overheating protection kicks in sometimes, especially in units mounted over ranges. All that cooking heat from below makes the microwave's own cooling system work harder. Make sure the vents aren't blocked and the exhaust fan is running properly.

• Thermal fuses blow as safety devices. They're one-time protection that breaks the circuit if things get too hot. They’re located near the magnetron or control area usually so you’ll need an appliance repair technician to fix this type of problem. The tech will always figure out WHY it overheated before replacing a thermal fuse, or the new one will just blow too.

• Door latch problems cause random shutoffs. If the door latch assembly gets loose or misaligned, cooking might start but then stop when vibration makes the safety switches open momentarily. Check the alignment and tightness of the door and latch assembly.

• Control boards get undependable with age and cause weird intermittent problems. Sometimes they work fine for days, then start acting up for no apparent reason. Heat, moisture, and age affect the electronics. Replacement means scheduling microwave repair service.

Weird Noises

• Loud buzzing or vibration usually points to something loose or the turntable motor. Check if the glass tray is seated properly in its track. Sometimes the drive coupler underneath gets cracked or damaged. Easy and cheap to replace.

• Grinding noises from the turntable usually mean the support roller assembly is worn or damaged. It's the piece that the glass tray sits on. Food spills get down into the mechanism and gum things up. Most are removable for cleaning or replacement.

• Cooling fan noises happen as they age. The fan runs whenever the microwave operates to keep components from overheating. When bearings start to go bad, you'll hear scraping or squealing. The fan assembly is replaceable if you're comfortable opening the case (after unplugging!).

• Arcing or sparking sounds mean that you should stop using the microwave immediately! They are usually caused by metal accidentally left in the microwave, but could also indicate a damaged cavity wall or waveguide cover. That rectangular mica sheet on the side wall protects the opening where microwaves enter the cooking area. If it's damaged or missing, arcing occurs.

• Transformer hum gets louder as they age. That high-voltage transformer inside the microwave helps create the power needed for cooking. Some hum is normal, but excessive noise usually means it's on the way out. Unfortunately, transformers are expensive and heavy, need to be repaced by a technician -- sometimes making replacement less attractive than buying a new unit.

Control Panel Problems

Unresponsive buttons frustrate everyone.

• First try the obvious reset - unplug the microwave for a full minute, then plug it back in. Sometimes that's all it takes to reset the electronics.

• Membrane switches fail after enough presses. Those flat touchpads have conductive traces underneath that wear out eventually. You'll notice some buttons work while others don't. Unfortunately, these usually require replacing the entire control panel assembly rather than just the membrane.

• Water damage affects electronics, especially in over-the-range models where steam rises from cooking. Moisture seeps behind the control panel and corrodes connections. Sometimes you can temporarily fix it by completely powering down to let it dry out.

• Clock display problems - where some segments light while others stay dark - typically mean the display board is failing. Not worth fixing separately since it's usually integrated with the control board. The entire assembly typically needs replacement.

Magic Chef sometimes have reset procedures that aren't in the manual. Try holding the cancel button for 10 seconds, or cancel plus clock for some models. Different combinations sometimes clear error states so the microwave resumes normal operations.

Cooking Performance Issues

Uneven cooking happens for several reasons.

• First check if the turntable is actually rotating smoothly. Intermittent rotation causes obvious cold spots in food.

• Magnetrons weaken with age. As they deteriorate, they produce less power than when new. Food takes longer to heat and cooks less evenly. A simple test: heat exactly one cup of cold water. Should take about 2-3 minutes to reach near boiling in a properly functioning 1000W microwave. Significantly longer times suggest reduced power.

• Stirrer fans distribute microwave energy throughout the cavity. If this fan stops working, you get uneven cooking even though everything else seems fine. It's behind a panel in the top of the cooking cavity. A service technician needs to fix this type of failure.

• Waveguide covers affect cooking performance when damaged. That mica sheet that looks like cardboard covering the waveguide opening can get burned, warped, or coated with food. Replace it if it looks damaged - they're cheap and important for proper operation.

Door and Safety Issues

Door alignment matters more than you'd think.

• If the door doesn't close properly, those safety switches don't engage correctly. Look at the gap around the door - should be even all the way around. Hinges loosen over time, especially on heavily used units.

• Broken door hooks or catches need immediate attention. The door has multiple hooks that engage with catches in the frame. These create a seal that prevents microwave energy from escaping. Any damage here means the unit shouldn't be used until repaired.

• Door springs help support the weight of the door. When they weaken or break, the door feels too heavy or won't stay closed properly. Replacement means disassembling the door, which varies by model. Magic Chef usually uses a couple screws around the edge of the door frame.

• Latch assemblies wear out from repeated use. If you hear the switches click but the microwave still won't run, the latch mechanism might not be fully engaging the switches even though it feels normal when closing the door. Visual inspection usually shows worn spots on the plastic latch components.

• Magic Chef (like all microwaves) uses multiple switches for safety redundancy. Never try to bypass these or work on them yourself! They prevent the magnetron from operating when the door is open. Microwave energy can cause serious injury.

When to Call a Pro

• Internal Magic Chef microwave repairs go beyond typical DIY territory. Anything involving the high voltage system - magnetron, capacitor, diode, and transformer - carries serious shock risk. These components can hold lethal charges even when the power cord is unplugged.

• Control board replacements sometimes need reprogramming after installation. Some Magic Chef models have specific initialization procedures after board replacement. Without them, the new board won't work properly.

• Door safety system repairs should be repaired and tested by a technician. Proper adjustment ensures both safety and functionality. Mistakes could allow microwave energy leakage or prevent normal operation.

We repair Magic Chef microwaves regularly and have the specialized tools and safety equipment for complex repairs.

When a problem goes beyond your comfort level or involves internal microwave components, our techs can handle it safely.