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Anonymous Posted on Aug 08, 2014

Why can't you run a microwave without anything in it? I ran mine for 4 minutes without anything in it and now it won't heat anything.

1 Answer

Alex Hernandez

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  • Contributor 56 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 28, 2014
Alex Hernandez
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Joined: Sep 15, 2009
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What was the point of running it empty?. Looks like you, as many users out there, never read instructions for any thing. No offence!
First let me explain what a MICROWAVE does, then you will understand the damaged you have caused to your unit.
A microwave is an electromagnetic wave (radiation) with a wavelength in the range 0.001 to 0.3 shorter than a radio wave but longer than an infrared. They are used in various scenarios; industrial processes, communications and heating.
When these waves enter the food or liquids they are absorbed by their molecules which turns into an increase of the temperature of the items exposed.
If nothing is exposed to absorb these microwaves, they will be reflecting in all the walls of the cooking chamber and eventually entering the grills (of the intake and exhaust vents) damaging the the electronic components exposed to these waves.
Hope that helps!

Al

5 Related Answers

MicrowaveSvc

William Miller

  • 9179 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 15, 2008

SOURCE: microwave runs 3 sec then shuts off.

mtystufquit - We've already discussed this by chat & e-mail, and if and when you need further help, please let me know.

"If the digital programmer circuit / controller does not get a feedback signal from the inverter for a period of 3 seconds, the controller will stop the cook cycle."

ddmdavid - you probably have a bad door switch or door switch mount. Please see these links.

http://www.microwavedisplay.com/safety.txt
http://www.microwavedisplay.com/disassembly.txt
http://www.microwavedisplay.com/doorsw.txt

If you still need help, please create a new post with your brand and model number.

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Tony R.

  • 24 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 12, 2009

SOURCE: Microwave not working after it ran without food in it.

What do you mean by "won't work"? Are the controls completely dead? Is the display missing? Are the controls apparently working, but the oven doesn't heat?

The solution suggested by roberta3fan is good for starters. However, when the oven is plugged in again, and the controls work but the oven doesn't heat, it may indicate that the magnetron tube is burned out. The magnetron produces the microwaves that actually heat the food. Unfortunately, replacing the magnetron may cost as much, or more, than the oven originally cost. Since the GE JE1860 is a countertop unit, the solution may be to scrap it and get another.

Magnetron tubes are very rugged and difficult to damage under normal use. Check to see if your unit is still under warranty, or if GE ever issued a recall for this problem.

Anonymous

  • 36 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 07, 2010

SOURCE: my microwave onen is not heating anything

I would suggest that the overheat stat on the magnetron has blown. If you are happy it's a simple thing to do but just make sure you disconnect from the mains before removing the cover and make sure that the High voltage capacitor is discharged. If you are not sure a qualified service tech will be able to fix this for you at little cost.

Hope this helps

Testimonial: "I think you have the right solution for my problem with the microwave. Thanks a lot."

Anonymous

  • 43501 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 30, 2010

SOURCE: Microwave will not heat food.

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you to figure out what is wrong with yourMicrowave Oven....

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips

heatman101
wsw

Anonymous

  • 43501 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 07, 2010

SOURCE: The microwave keeps running without turning off

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you to figure out what is wrong with yourMicrowave Oven....

Microwave Oven Basic Troubleshooting Tips

heatman101

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Why can't you run a microwave without anything in it? What happens and can you fix the problem? I forgot to put the food in and ran it for 4 minutes with nothing inside. Now it won't heat any food.

A microwave oven works on the principal of a high power high frequency radio transmitter. The device that emits the microwave energy is a tube called a magnetron . When you run the microwave empty with nothing to absorb the microwave energy it is all reflected back to the magnetron causing it to overheat and destroy itself or cause failure in the High Voltage power supply due to excessive current draw.This is caused by standing waves.
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