Why does the microwave spark and crackle inside: what to do?

Why does the microwave spark and crackle inside when turned on?

Most often, the reason why a microwave oven sparks and crackles is because the plate, which is essentially sheet mica, has burned out. It is located on the surface of the inner panel of the stove and performs the function of protecting the magnetron from possible ingress of food particles , and allows waves from it to enter the chamber.
The reason for burnout of the plate, as a rule, lies in the fact that it is exposed to fat that gets on the surface. This situation can be complicated by the fact that burnt mica no longer protects the magnetron, and this can lead to its failure.
At the bottom of the camera there is a small plastic coupling called a coupler. If the microwave is not cleaned regularly, grease deposits will accumulate here, other dirt will accumulate, and then an electric arc may occur. Sparking occurs, as a result of which the coupler is heated and may melt.
Perhaps metal utensils , and even more so if they touched the internal panels of the microwave? This situation can also lead to a problem. Sparking is also possible if you turn on the microwave oven without any dishes inside.

Crackling sound in the microwave

If the enamel of the inner chamber was somehow damaged, then in such a situation, as in the previous ones, sparking cannot be ruled out.
Sparking can occur when the wire plug or the socket itself is faulty due to loose contacts. It's not far from a short circuit.
If the oven operates at insufficient load, overheating , which can also lead to crackling or sparking noises inside the microwave.

Why does the microwave crackle?

The crackling sound coming from a household appliance will scare anyone. After all, equipment usually runs on electricity and a sudden breakdown can cause a fire. Or a person may get burned by touching a working device.

Important! When a microwave oven crackles and fires, it must be unplugged immediately.

In addition to the crackling sound, the microwave may make a knocking or humming sound - this is also a sign of breakdown. The appearance of sparks inside, accompanying the sound, is a dangerous manifestation of a malfunction that must be eliminated immediately. Most often, the cause is an internal failure, sometimes due to improper use of the device.

The most common reasons why a microwave oven crackles and sparkles

There are 4 main reasons why a microwave oven breaks down and causes a similar sound:

malfunction of the microwave itself - the mica plate burns out or the coupler burns out (the part on which the plate rotates);
damage to the enamel coating;
non-compliance with the rules of use: for example, placing inappropriate dishes (metal containers cannot be heated), or turning on the equipment empty;
overheating at low load - numerous rays are reflected from the walls, while heating the space, not the food.

Most cases are caused by a burnt-out mica plate , since it is this part that fails over time. It protects the main unit of the microwave oven - the magnetron.

Reference: a magnetron is an electrical device that generates microwaves.

The mica plate is a dielectric that protects the “heart” of the microwave from contamination: grease, dirt and steam. By transmitting the rays from the inside, the plate does not allow them to return, and collects all the accumulated dirt. It is fat that causes the mica to burn out - when heated by reflected rays, it heats up the surface of the plate. There is a crackling sound and sparks.

A characteristic feature of this reason is that the plate burns out in several places at once. If you do not monitor the cleanliness of the microwave, you will have to change at least this part, or at most update your household appliances. A spark hitting the magnetron will immediately damage the device.

A similar problem arises with the coupler - this is a plastic part located under the rotating plate. Many people only see it once - when they set up the tray. Dirt and grease also accumulate on the coupler, which is heated by the reflected rays and the plastic begins to melt. It is quite simple to determine such a breakdown: a characteristic smell of burning plastic will appear.

Damage to protective enamel . The main body of the microwave oven consists of metal coated with enamel. Defects may appear from mechanical stress and prolonged use. A special enamel is used that can withstand the effects of rays and reflect them, so it does not crack from overheating. The situation is different when the rays hit the metal body through defects - then an electric arc is formed, and the microwave begins to spark.

What exactly sparks and crackles in a microwave?

A spark is a discharge of electricity passing through conductors, which can be any objects containing metal. When they are exposed to an electromagnetic field, it causes eddy currents and electricity.

Discharge

If the distance between two conductors having different electrical potentials is less than necessary to hold an electrical discharge, then this discharge occurs, causing the reason why it crackles and sparks in the microwave.
An arc can occur between the dirt present in the chamber, which begins to burn due to heating, and the elements of the microwave, mainly the walls of the chamber itself or the magnetron antenna. Then sparks are visible on the right side of the microwave.

Determining the cause

If your microwave is sparkling or cracking, then don’t panic; even a novice technician can repair the device. The main thing is to follow expert recommendations. However, first you need to figure out why the microwave sparks? The key features have already been highlighted earlier; now let’s study this problem in more detail.

In order to determine the cause of the microwave oven sparking, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis. It is extremely important what the dishes in which you heat food are made of. Sometimes sparkling is a temporary effect due to the use of metal kitchen utensils.

Prohibited utensils

It is strictly forbidden to use metal kitchen utensils for heating or cooking food in a microwave oven. The interaction of metal and centimeter waves is a catalyst for the occurrence of an electric arc, due to which the equipment begins to shoot, spark, and creak. Even a golden border on the edge of the plate will lead to such a negative phenomenon. The problem will disappear if you remove the prohibited utensils from the chamber. Repeated use of utensils that are too large or metallic will cause the microwave to burn out.

Mica plate

This plate is not designed to conduct current, but it is not capable of isolating a magnetic field. A component made from this material ensures uniform dispersion of the study throughout the thermal chamber. It also provides maximum protection for the magnetron antenna. Prevents premature failure of the waveguide cover.

During active operation of the microwave oven, the fat accumulated on the walls may catch fire. Ignition of the plate will lead to the appearance of an electric arc. Conducting functions are performed by plasma. All this leads to the fact that the microwave oven begins to spark and crackle, and subsequent heating of food in the microwave is impossible.

Without a mica plate, a microwave oven can only operate for a relatively short time. This will last until the magnetron antenna finally breaks. The cost of a vacuum tube is extremely high. It makes more sense to buy new equipment. This is why it is so important to repair the plate in a timely manner.

Replacing a plate is far from the most complicated process, which is quickly carried out in several stages:

Wash the heat chamber thoroughly, removing fat from the walls.
Adjust the new plate to the required size.
Make holes for the fasteners.
Secure the cover to the chamber wall using screws.
When the work is completed, try heating any dish or product.

To warm up, be sure to put in a specific product. It is strictly forbidden to start the oven with an empty chamber.

Damage to the enamel inside the chamber

The use of overly large kitchen utensils is strictly prohibited. For example, a pan that barely fits in the microwave will hit the walls of the chamber during rotation, damaging the enamel. The appearance of scratches and the gradual disappearance of this layer causes the device to begin to sparkle.

Analyzing what causes sparks to appear, we need to talk about washing with prohibited cleaning products. It is extremely important to regularly clean the camera by wiping its walls dry. A large accumulation of moisture is an alarm bell. Over time, excessive moisture will cause corrosion. It will all end with the appearance of an electric arc. The final result is always the same - magnetron failure.

What to do if the microwave sparks due to damaged enamel? It is necessary to treat the damaged areas with sandpaper and degrease them by applying alcohol. Then you need to cover these areas with enamel in several layers. When everything is dry, you can check. The absence of smoke indicates that the problem has been resolved.

Waveguide cover

The waves emitted by the magnetron enter the thermal chamber through a waveguide. The waveguide cover ensures proper sealing. This component is made of dielectric material. It doesn't conduct current. Mostly, this part is presented in the form of a disk.

The accumulation of various contaminants on the surface of the waveguide leads to the fact that they begin to burn. Fire is a plasma that conducts current, which creates a great danger. The formation of an electric arc leads to the appearance of sparks. If your LG microwave oven starts to sparkle, be sure to clean the air duct. Sometimes this is more than enough to fix household appliances.

Appliance socket and plug

In some situations, sparks inside the microwave occur due to breakdowns outside the thermal chamber. A broken socket or damaged power cord are common causes of various malfunctions in the operation of household appliances. A short circuit caused by poor contact can damage hardware components. It is advisable to detect this failure before turning on the device.

If the stove begins to sparkle, you must check for a possible break. It is possible that the outlet is not working or the power cable is damaged. Damaged elements must be replaced to restore correct operation of the equipment.

The microwave is sparking and crackling inside: what to do?

We looked at four possible reasons why the microwave sparks and crackles. How to deal with them?
If the plate burns out, then it is necessary to check the condition of the mica. If it is dirty and shows signs of burning, it must be changed, not forgetting to thoroughly wash the stove chamber first, removing all dirt and grease deposits.
It is not a fact that you will be able to find a plate that matches exactly in size. Therefore, it makes sense to buy a larger plate and level it yourself to the required dimensions, simply cutting it off and sanding the edges. Then drill holes for the screws and screw them into place.
Then (the microwave must be disconnected from the network) remove the magnetron and make sure that there is no burn on the cap. If everything is in order, we return the part to its place; if a burnt spot is visible, the cap must be replaced. After this, we restore all the parts to their place and only after that you can turn on the microwave oven.
If the problem is a burnt-out coupler, you need to find a similar one in size and install it in place of the damaged one.
As for metal utensils, everything is simple: they should not be used. By the way, you should also avoid ceramics if they are finished with gold or silver powders.

Place the correct dishes

Damaged enamel in the inner chamber must be restored, and this must be done only with a special composition (fireproof, food-grade or electrically conductive enamel) specifically designed for microwaves, otherwise you risk getting food with vapors of toxic chemicals contained in other products.
First you need to apply the primer in one layer, then the enamel (preferably in the form of an aerosol) - preferably at least two or three layers. Don’t forget to wash the camera first, removing all grease; you can use a solvent to degrease damaged areas.

Do not turn on the microwave until the enamel is completely dry.

When the reason lies in the electrical wiring, inspect the wire itself to see if there is any damage on it. Perhaps it is bent in some places, or there are tears in it. Also check the socket, it may have cracks or chips, or there is scale. If all this is so, it is necessary to change both the first and second.

Where to turn if the microwave is cracking

You should contact service centers that diagnose and repair microwave ovens. The cause of a breakdown, expressed by a crackling sound, may lie in the internal contents - a burnt-out unit, a broken wire, or simply loose contacts. The technician will determine the breakdown and name the exact price during diagnosis.

If the equipment is new, then you can contact the warranty center . They will tell you the reason and replace the stove or tell you where to go to get it repaired. Often centers provide such services independently.

What to do if the microwave sparks?

First of all, take care of the cleanliness of your microwave oven. If you are preparing fatty foods, so that splashes from it do not fall on the mica, the container in which the food is cooked or heated should be covered using a special cap or a paper napkin.
In addition, the stove must be regularly cleaned of emerging grease, while avoiding the use of harsh abrasive cleaners so as not to damage the enamel.
Don’t forget to also clean all the parts and elements that are included in the kit: grates, skewers, and the plastic cap that covers the food in the chamber during cooking.

Check device

Never turn on the microwave without anything in it. You shouldn’t go to the other extreme and load the stove too tightly.
Periodically check is damaged in any place .
Do not use metal utensils or utensils that are too large for cooking or heating food, as they may touch the walls of the microwave oven and thus damage the enamel.
If you use foil, make sure that it does not touch the walls, and keep the gaps between the foil rolls (if you are laying several) at least 2 cm, so that an electric arc does not occur.
Do not operate the microwave for more than an hour and a half to prevent individual parts from overheating.

No more than one and a half hours

And remember, if the microwave sparks and crackles , disconnect it from the power supply as quickly as possible!

Advice: If you are not entirely sure that you can independently figure out the causes of crackling noises and sparks from the microwave, it is better to contact specialists working in service and warranty centers. After all, the matter may turn out to be that a certain component of the device has burned out or the contacts have simply come loose.

What can cause sparks to appear?

The microwave sparks for several reasons:

Metal dishes or containers with a metal rim were placed inside the device.
A burnt mica plate can also cause sparking.
Due to metal, silver or gold plating on the plates.
Mechanical damage to the enamel.

If your microwave oven sparks and crackles, and also shoots, it means that you did not act in accordance with the instructions and there is no way to do without repairs . Please note that repairing the device yourself without the proper knowledge can be dangerous!