The microwave runs but does not heat the food. Unit was bought sometime in 2004 or 2005. (When I press the MICRO control pad, a number 16 with underscore colored red appears near the upper left hand of the display panel)

Hello, Linda -

Without knowing the make and model of microwave oven you are asking about I can only give general instructions. You can add the make and model of microwave by choosing Comment and adding the information there.

Generally, after placing whatever you want to heat or cook in a microwave save dish or on a microwave safe plate and place the food and dish inside the microwave and closing the door, you follow these steps:
- Using the key pad / number pad, press in the time you want the microwave to run
- Assuming there is a POWER button on the key pad, press that button
- Most likely a P will display
- On the keypad, press 50 (for 50 %) or maybe just 5
- Press START

This web page provides detailed instructions:
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-adjust-a-microwaves-cooking-power/

Best wishes.

usually when you kill the power and then when you put power back on the machine works it's the computer board that's bad.all you're doing is resetting the board just like your house computer,if something happens to it you shut it down and reboot it,that's what you're doing with the micro wave just rebooting the board.here's the funny thing about micro waves sometimes the part you're gonna change is almost the same price as a new micro wave so i would first check how much the board is,i went on sears and they have the board for 115.00 repair clinic for 235 part number WPW10216347 they don't make this model anymore but you can get a stainless micro for around 290 to 300 dollars and if you buy the same brand all you should have to do is remove the bolts up above that hold it in place and remove the micro wave and the same brand should mount the same way so you won't have to drill new holes or replace the back metal panel.if i were you i would replace the unit instead of the board repair clinic shows most of the parts for this model out of stock so it might be a while before you can get any parts for this model but this is up to you.good luck with your micro wave.one more thing when you were in there did you see alot of grease,this is usually the cause of no heat,the grease from cooking on the stove top gets into the micro wave and on the mag tube and damages it,if there was grease in there i would just replace the unit

Advantium - Interior Light Operation While Microwaving

The Advantium 240 oven interior (cavity) light will illuminate anytime the door is open. However, due to the dark tint on the oven door, there is not a light on while cooking since the food would not be visible using the interior lamp.
Food may be viewed during a microwave cycle by pressing the Microwave/Oven Light pad.

One of the Upper Level Speedcook lamps will come on for 5 seconds. The Microwave/Oven Light pad can be pressed up to 5 times during a microwave cooking cycle. The limit of 5 times is to prevent excessive heat on microwave cookware from the Speedcook lamp.

The Advantium 120 oven cavity is illuminated anytime the door is opened and while the unit is in the microwave only mode. As a result it will not have the Microwave/Oven Light pad.

Clean the food off the inside top of the microwave Now,Or that noise you are hear will stop along with the microwave. The food gets on the Formica Squire which is how the micro waves heat your food. 1st unplug the Microwave then spray the inside of the unit with something like Fantastic or something strong and use glove so you don't burn you hand,Also if you have a scrub brush use it,And clean all the soap out and raise very well.

sounds like the magnetron has failed on this unit...it is located in side behind the control panel touch pad and if replaced usually requires disassembly of the outer shell of microwave... it is a common problem with microwaves and can be fixed just requires taking apart unit to do it...good luck to you

Advantium - Interior Light Operation While Microwaving

The Advantium 240 oven interior (cavity) light will illuminate anytime the door is open. However, due to the dark tint on the oven door, there is not a light on while cooking since the food would not be visible using the interior lamp.
Food may be viewed during a microwave cycle by pressing the Microwave/Oven Light pad.

One of the Upper Level Speedcook lamps will come on for 5 seconds. The Microwave/Oven Light pad can be pressed up to 5 times during a microwave cooking cycle. The limit of 5 times is to prevent excessive heat on microwave cookware from the Speedcook lamp.

The Advantium 120 oven cavity is illuminated anytime the door is opened and while the unit is in the microwave only mode. As a result it will not have the Microwave/Oven Light pad.

If the light is not operating properly, you will want to have it checked by an authorized service technician. To obtain in or out of warranty repair on Major Appliances, you may call 1-800-GE-CARES (800-432-2737) or schedule service online. Advantium - Interior Light Operation While Microwaving

The Advantium 240 oven interior (cavity) light will illuminate anytime the door is open. However, due to the dark tint on the oven door, there is not a light on while cooking since the food would not be visible using the interior lamp.
Food may be viewed during a microwave cycle by pressing the Microwave/Oven Light pad.

One of the Upper Level Speedcook lamps will come on for 5 seconds. The Microwave/Oven Light pad can be pressed up to 5 times during a microwave cooking cycle. The limit of 5 times is to prevent excessive heat on microwave cookware from the Speedcook lamp.

The Advantium 120 oven cavity is illuminated anytime the door is opened and while the unit is in the microwave only mode. As a result it will not have the Microwave/Oven Light pad.

If the light is not operating properly, you will want to have it checked by an authorized service technician. To obtain in or out of warranty repair on Major Appliances, you may call 1-800-GE-CARES (800-432-2737) or schedule service online. Advantium - Interior Light Operation While Microwaving

The Advantium 240 oven interior (cavity) light will illuminate anytime the door is open. However, due to the dark tint on the oven door, there is not a light on while cooking since the food would not be visible using the interior lamp.
Food may be viewed during a microwave cycle by pressing the Microwave/Oven Light pad.

One of the Upper Level Speedcook lamps will come on for 5 seconds. The Microwave/Oven Light pad can be pressed up to 5 times during a microwave cooking cycle. The limit of 5 times is to prevent excessive heat on microwave cookware from the Speedcook lamp.

The Advantium 120 oven cavity is illuminated anytime the door is opened and while the unit is in the microwave only mode. As a result it will not have the Microwave/Oven Light pad.

If the light is not operating properly, you will want to have it checked by an authorized service technician. To obtain in or out of warranty repair on Major Appliances, you may call 1-800-GE-CARES (800-432-2737) or schedule service online. Check here

http://www.geappliances.com/search/fast/infobase/10000007.htm

Advantium - Interior Light Operation While Microwaving

The Advantium 240 oven interior (cavity) light will illuminate anytime the door is open. However, due to the dark tint on the oven door, there is not a light on while cooking since the food would not be visible using the interior lamp.
Food may be viewed during a microwave cycle by pressing the Microwave/Oven Light pad.

One of the Upper Level Speedcook lamps will come on for 5 seconds. The Microwave/Oven Light pad can be pressed up to 5 times during a microwave cooking cycle. The limit of 5 times is to prevent excessive heat on microwave cookware from the Speedcook lamp.

The Advantium 120 oven cavity is illuminated anytime the door is opened and while the unit is in the microwave only mode. As a result it will not have the Microwave/Oven Light pad.

If the light is not operating properly, you will want to have it checked by an authorized service technician. To obtain in or out of warranty repair on Major Appliances, you may call 1-800-GE-CARES (800-432-2737) or schedule service online.

Micro wave as the name suggests produces heat when the micro waves aimed at an object causes the water molecules inside the object to vibrate hence producing heat.The gadget responsible is the magnetron. If your magnetron is not receiving ht voltage or receiving but faulty, then your micro wave wont work please take precaution when opening micro wave due to high voltage caps that remain charged sometimes even when it is off.check the high voltage fuse/ diode and capacitor if they are fine and the step up trans former o.k then the only option is to replace the magnetron

All electronics work but microwave won't heat.

This is a microwave, correct?

I suspect the door lock interface switch(es) are burned out. Unplug it, be mindful of the 25,000 volts in the silver thing. Check the micro switches (look where the door closes on the top right side, probably) two positions, normally open or normally closed. check them for proper operation.

Micro switches are the most common of microwave failures because most of us open the door while the machine is running causing arc at the switch and burning up the little contacts.

Generally, the most common causes of a failure to heat are:

- bad door switches or door switch mounts
- loose connection at the magnetron
- problem or loose connection on the control unit circuit board
- bad magnetron or other high voltage part such as high-voltage rectifier diode

If you or a friend decide to look into it, we have critical safety information, info on door switch diagnosis and
replacement, and disassembly information at our site, linked here on Fixya: http://tinyurl.com/yzjozk

You can find helpful exploded view diagrams and order parts by entering your full model number here: http://tinyurl.com/gv383