Is my microwave dead?

October 14, 2026, 02:01 PM

Suddenly making a constant humming noise, about 1/3 the volume of normal operation. Display is blank, seems to heat somewhat normally, but unwilling to test long term run times as cord seems to get hotter than usual.

It is a Sharp Carousel circa 15yo.

Related, any salvage value or "interesting" parts inside (like for making a ray gun)?

October 14, 2026, 02:12 PM

83v45magna

The most common issue you might be experiencing is likely due to a failed magnetron. Probably too expensive to fix vs replace with a newer oven.

Is there a burning smell also?
See this link

October 14, 2026, 02:49 PM

sigmonkey

quote:
Originally posted by architect:...

any salvage value or "interesting" parts inside (like for making a ray gun)?

Microwave caps can be 10 times greater "Ima C-I-L-L my Landlord" potential, than HVAC caps.

So, don't lick it while holding it.

_{"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא עוד}

October 14, 2026, 03:32 PM

2012BOSS302

quote:
Related, any salvage value or "interesting" parts inside (like for making a ray gun)?

Yes, the two magnets in the magnetron are pretty good for holding stuff on the side of tool boxes or other metal objects.

October 14, 2026, 03:45 PM

ArtieS

quote:
It is a Sharp Carousel circa 15yo.

It's dead, Jim.

"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."

Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.

October 14, 2026, 04:03 PM

architect

OK, so any replacement suggestions?

October 14, 2026, 04:13 PM

Georgeair

One with the feature allowing you to mute the buttons and signal at end of time.
And lots of wattage.
But definitely the mute. It's a life-changer!

October 14, 2026, 04:28 PM

4MUL8R

First, is this countertop or built-in?

If built-in, this is a big deal. You have to understand the key dimensions for the new microwave to mount. And, you have to configure the new microwave to vent into the home vent presently exhausting the broken microwave.

If countertop, just upgrade. check the user interface and make sure you can deal with it. some microwaves have a keypad like a calculator, with numbers arrayed like a phone or calculator. Others have the numbers across the bottom in a row. WTF?

October 14, 2026, 04:40 PM

ArtieS

I agree with the others. If built in, size matters. If not, or if a standard over the cook top, it should be reasonably easy to find a suitable replacement.

We did so last year, and went with a Frigidaire Gallery. Happy with it so far. As others have noted, it apparently has multiple volume settings for the damned beeper, but it's unobtrusive enough that I haven't bothered.