Microwave emits burning smell, smoke, or visible arcing inside the cavity
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.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Immediate Safety: Stop the microwave, open the door, and unplug it. Do not continue to operate until the cause is identified.
User-level inspection:
- Remove all items from the cavity and inspect for metal utensils, twist ties, or foil.
- Check the waveguide cover (usually a small mica or plastic panel on the side wall) for burns, holes, or charring.
- Clean the cavity thoroughly to remove grease and carbonized food.
If arcing or smell persists:
- Replace a damaged waveguide cover with an OEM part.
- If arcing occurs near the magnetron antenna area, the magnetron may be damaged and should be replaced by a professional.
Do not operate the microwave with a damaged waveguide cover or visible arcing.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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