How to Troubleshoot a Maytag Over-the-range Microwave
- 1). Test the microwave oven's power supply if the display is blank and the oven doesn't respond to input via the controls. Make sure the power cord is plugged into a working electrical outlet without the use of an extension cord or adapter. Plug a lamp into the microwave's outlet; the circuit breaker or fuse needs attention if the bulb doesn't light up. Reset any tripped breakers or replace any blown fuses and try using the microwave again.
- 2). Measure 1 cup of room temperature water into a mug and cook for two minutes on full power if you suspect the magnetron is malfunctioning. The water should be hot when the microwave chimes at the end of the cooking cycle; be careful taking it out of the oven. Call for service if the cycle completed properly but the water remained cold.
- 3). Open and close the door if the oven won't start cooking; Maytag microwave ovens automatically enter standby mode if the oven isn't started within five minutes of the door closing. Make sure there is no leftover packing material attached to the inside of the door; some Maytag microwaves come with a spacer that must be removed before the oven can be used.
- 4). Check the controls if the oven won't receive input properly. Press the "Options" or "Setup" button, depending on your model, and scroll until "Demo Mode" is displayed on the screen; use the oven's controls to deactivate demo mode if it is active. The oven mimics normal use in demo mode, lighting up and timing cycles but never heating. Hold down "Cancel" for three seconds if a "Locked" message appears on the screen; the child lock might be preventing you using the microwave.
- 5). Clean the interior of the oven, the turntable, glass cooking plate and any other cooking racks with warm, soapy water if the oven frequently arcs. Food residue, splashes or stains could cause arcing even when metal or reflective surfaces are not inside the microwave. Allow everything to dry before using the microwave again.
- 6). Move cordless telephones, wireless routers, TVs or radios as far from the microwave as possible. Interference from the microwave could cause static on your cordless phone and radio or image distortion on your TV. If possible, switch your cordless phone or router away from the 2.4 GHz frequency used by the microwave oven.
- 7). Check the display for an error code; a flashing ":" or "PF" means there has been a power failure or outage in your home, while a letter followed by a number, like "A1," is an error indicator that should be handled by a Maytag technician. Reset the clock after a power failure by holding the "Clock" button for a few seconds.