Is your microwave noisy? The most common annoying noise that a microwave makes is that beeping that lets you know when it’s done. So, first we’re going to take a look at how we can put a stop your microwave beeping.
We’ll also be discussing how you can make your microwave quieter and put a stop to other unwanted noise. From vibrations to incessant beeping, to humming, we’ve got a reason for the sound and a solution for making it quieter.
How to silence your Microwave when it won't stop beeping?
Sometimes your microwave just won't stop beeping. How do we silence that? Here are a few things you could try:
- Reset the sensors
A microwave will always let you know when it’s done defrosting or heating something up. In fact, it will continue to tell you that something is in the microwave until you take it out. The simplest solution is then to just take out whatever is in there.
But sometimes the sensors go a bit wonky and think that there is still something in the microwave even when there isn’t. This is where resetting the sensors comes in. You can reset your sensors by following 3 easy steps:
- You will need something to put in the microwave because you can damage the microwave by turning it on when nothing is inside. So, you’ll need a mug of water and some salt or sugar which you can add to it (microwaving water without anything in it will make the water bubble over and it’s most likely to make a mess).
- Heat the water for 15 seconds at least, so that the sensors are able to acknowledge that there’s actually something inside the microwave.
- Now all you have to do is remove the cup or mug from the microwave and press STOP/CLEAR. The sensors should now be reset, and the beeping will have stopped.
- Try a hard reset
A hard reset is worth a try, especially if the previous step didn’t work. The goal of the exercise is to remove any additional electricity which will force the microwave’s sensors to reset. A hard reset generally does the trick, but if not, the microwave might need a closer look because the problem might be more complicated.
- Use your microwave’s “silent mode”
Not everyone knows that their microwaves have been designed with a silent mode because it’s not always in the product description. At the same time, not all microwaves have a silent mode. So, how do you check if yours does? Here’s what you can do:
- Take a look at the front of the microwave
You might be able to find the mute button on the keypad located on the front of your microwave. The mute button could be labelled, “sound” or “volume”. With that being said, it is possible that your microwave does have the sound button, but it’s not labelled as such. Sometimes pressing and holding in the “cancel” or “0” button can give you access to sound settings.
- Use your microwave’s “smart” remote control
This is only applicable to microwave’s that can be operated using a remote control. Newer microwave models might give you the option of controlling the microwave with a remote but older versions won’t. If you have a microwave like this, check that the remote does or doesn’t have a mute or silencing button.
- Take a look at your microwave app (if applicable)
As we know, microwave designs are changing as well as how they work. Nowadays, newer microwaves will allow you to control the microwave using an app. Look at the app to see if there’s an option for muting the microwave.
- Check the handbook that came with your microwave
A microwave handbook will have all the information you need about the microwave, including whether it can be put on silent mode and how. If you can’t find your handbook you can search for it online.
Depending on which company you got your microwave from you can also use their website to search for a digital handbook. Repairing a microwave will often eliminate unwanted noises.
How to silence your microwave when it’s making different noises
Besides the beeping, your microwave can make a bunch of other annoying noises. Here are a few ways to make your microwave quieter:
- Replace the motor drive
The reason we say, “think” about replacing the motor drive is because you’ll want to make sure your microwave’s motor drive is actually making the noise before you do anything.
What is a motor drive and what does it do?
The motor drive is used to rotate the tray in your microwave. If the motor drive is damaged in any way or just old, you might hear a grinding sound whenever you turn the microwave on. While you might want to call someone in to inspect the microwave, you can look at it yourself.
- Clean or replace the drive coupler
We would suggest checking out the drive coupler if you’ve come to the conclusion that the motor drive isn’t the part of the microwave that’s causing noise.
If you’re not sure what a drive coupler is, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. A drive coupler is a three-pronged part of the microwave that connects the motor to the tray.
Depending on which model you have, it may be really easy to remove the drive coupler.
On the other hand, you might have to remove the drive motor before you can access the drive coupler. It is possible to do it on your own, but it may be wiser to call in an expert.
- Inspect the magnetron
The magnetron could be the problem if you often hear a humming noise when you turn your microwave on. The magnetron is responsible for generating the microwave energy that generates the heat in whatever you're cooking.
The problem with fixing or even inspecting the magnetron is that it’s really tricky to do. It’s not easy to access the magnetron and doing so will mean that you have to dismantle the cabinet of your microwave.
It’s also dangerous to work with because it generates a high voltage and microwave radiation. That’s why it’s better to call in a professional to sort out the matter, unless you are used to working with this sort of thing and have some experience. But honestly, even then you need to be pretty careful.
- Check out the high voltage diode
Humming and buzzing sounds. You’re most likely to hear these sounds if the high voltage diode in your microwave is damaged. The diode is also known for making popping noises which give you an indication that there’s an electrical discharge.
You can test whether the high voltage diode is faulty by using a multimeter. You can buy a multimeter in your local hardware store, but you can also get one on Amazon if that’s preferred.
- Clean or repair the cooling fan
As we’ve mentioned, the magnetron is responsible for generating heat. The cooling fan works in conjunction with the magnetron, by ensuring that things don’t get too hot.
How do you access the cooling fan?
Much like the magnetron, you’re going to need to dismantle the outer cabinet of the microwave. But fortunately, when you’re attempting to access the cooling fan, it’s not at the risk of being electrocuted and is a fairly simple process.
Once you’ve located the cooling fan, check whether it’s damaged or even dirty. There are a number of ways to make a fan quieter. A dirty fan is definitely going to make more noise than it should. You can remove the blades, clean them and put them back again.
But if you realize that the cooling fan is damaged, you will of course need to replace it. If you have some DIY experience, particularly with microwaves, this won’t be too much of a challenge. Even the quietest fans will make some noise though. Even if you have a really quiet range hood you know how loud a fan can be.
- Reduce vibrations using rubber padding
Vibrations can also make a lot of noise, especially if they’re sitting on a surface that just amplifies the vibrations, like a wooden or cement surface. Most microwaves sit in the kitchen on counters, which doesn’t help your microwave operate quietly.
But regardless of where you’ve put your microwave, if the vibrations are getting out of hand, you can use anti-vibaration pads to reduce the noise. Place the rubber padding under the entire bottom section of the microwave or in each corner of the microwave.
- Buy a new microwave
If all else fails, it would be good to look into buying a new microwave. We’ve reviewed 5 of the quietest microwaves that you can buy in another article that you’re welcome to look at. You could also have a look at some of the smallest microwave units on the market.
There you’ll be able to find efficient microwaves that offer you different features, but most importantly, quiet operation.
Your microwave is never going to be completely silent but at least you can make sure it's quieter than your quiet ice maker or quiet coffee maker with grinder.
How to stop your microwave door from making a loud noise
The solution to this problem is a lot simpler than you’d think. When you open a microwave door, there’s a big button that you press that lets you open it.
Most of us close the microwave door without holding this button in again, and that’s the problem.
A microwave is going to make noise and closing the door of your microwave will never be completely silent but holding the button in when you close the door will make a huge difference.
There are quite a few things you can do to silence a microwave or make it just a bit quieter. Don’t give up if you find that the first solution doesn’t work, there are plenty of solutions to try out.
If you find that a component inside the microwave is damaged, try to not leave it too long without being repaired. If you realize that a component does need to be repaired, call a technician if necessary.
Applying a combination of the tips above will definitely make your microwave quieter.