my emerson microwave mw9113ss just stopped working. what's wrong with it and how do i fix it? the lights come on and when you press the button to start the time, the light comes on and countdown begins, but it will not start cooking.

Jen, March 2009

Hi, 2 things really, first you don't fix it, microwaves can and do kill even when unplugged. Scarry stuff right. If any m/wave stops cooking the usual culprits are the safety interlock switches and the monitor fuse. After that its the more serious and costly capacitor or magnetron and diode combo. Not a job for the amateur leave it to a pro. Find a company that gives a low cost estimate for repair, typically £10. After that allow say £35-£40 for switches and fuse, £55 for capacitor and didode, £65-£75 for magnetron and bits
kindest regards
B.E.S. Microwaves
01424 447799

patrick, March 2009

Wikipedia says a microwave oven consists of:

a high voltage transformer, which passes energy to the magnetron

a cavity magnetron, which converts high-voltage electric energy to microwave radiation

a magnetron control circuit (usually with a microcontroller)

a waveguide and a cooking chamber

It is difficult to say what's wrong with it without hands-on diagnosis and it's likely that you do not have the equipment to do this safely. You probably need a specialist to repair it - that or a new microwave.

Good luck...

Peccavi, March 2009