GE
Arcing in Cavity
Microwave makes a crackling, arcing, or popping sound inside the cavity during cooking; visible sparks may appear.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Metal object or foil in cavity, Damaged or burned waveguide cover, Exposed paint or rust spots on cavity wall, Food splatter buildup near waveguide
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Stop the microwave immediately if you see sparks. Unplug before cleaning or inspection.
- Remove metal: Ensure no metal utensils, twist ties, or foil are inside. Use only microwave-safe containers.
- Clean thoroughly: Clean the interior, especially around the waveguide cover (a small mica or plastic panel on the side wall), to remove grease and food splatter.
- Inspect waveguide cover: If the cover is burned, cracked, or has holes, it must be replaced with a GE-approved waveguide cover.
- Touch-up paint: If small rust spots or chipped paint are present, sand lightly and apply microwave cavity touch-up paint per GE recommendations.
- Do not operate with damaged cover: Running the microwave with a damaged waveguide cover can damage the magnetron.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Waveguide Cover
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