Categories: Microwave

Russell Hobbs microwave troubleshooting

Look at the table for the cause of the problem and solve the problem. If the malfunction of your microwave oven has a simple solution, you can repair it yourself.

Russell Hobbs RHM1721 microwave troubleshooting

Problem Potential reason Potential solution
If the microwave doesn’t work 1. Microwave is not plugged in Make sure the plug is plugged in securely into the mains and the plug is switched on. If it is not, remove the plug from the socket, wait 10 seconds and plug it in again securely.
2. Plug is not working The plug socket that the microwave is plugged into may have become faulty. Plug the microwave into another known good plug socket, ensure that the socket is turned on and check if the microwave now works.
3. The plug has a blown fuse or the mains circuit has a blown fuse/tripped fuse Check the plug for a blown circuit fuse or a tripped main circuit breaker. If these seem to be working properly, test the socket with another appliance.
4. Microwave has developed a fault Contact customer services to talk through the problem to see if any solution for the fault can be found. If not and the product is within its warranty period, then the microwave should be returned to the retailer it was purchased from for a replacement or refund.
If the microwave power will not work 1. Door is not closed Make sure the door is securely closed. Otherwise, the microwave will not engage or operate.
2. The power has not been set/the timer dial has not been turned Set the microwave power by turning the ‘Power’ dial. Turn the time dial to the required time and the microwave should start
Not heating Magnetron not working The component that produces the microwaves is called a magnetron, if food is not being heated or is ’luke’ warm then it is likely this component has developed a fault.
If the microwave is within its warranty period, please contact customer services for further advice or take the microwave back to the retailer it was purchased from for a refund or replacement.
Sparking Burnt on food debris Spillages or splashes can burn and catch fire, all food that is put into the microwave should be appropriately covered. All spillages or splashes must be cleaned, and all areas of microwave cleaned after each use.
Burnt on food debris in the microwave, on the wave guide and the behind the wave guide can cause the microwave to ‘spark’. This is because burnt on debris can be focused on by the microwaves and spark.
Microwaves must be thoroughly cleaned after every use to ensure no food is burnt on to any part of the microwave.
Metal or foil No metal or foil should be put inside a microwave as it can cause ‘sparking’ which can damage the microwave.
The only metal accessories that should be used inside the microwave are the ones supplied by the manufacturer.
Pressure build up in food Food with none porous skins (potatoes for example), must be pierced to allow steam to escape. As the build up of pressure can cause food to burst and create a ‘fire hazard’.
Heat spots Operated empty or with no moisture Microwaves cannot be run empty, microwaves need moisture to operate correctly.
If microwaves are operated empty or are used to heat up plates (this is not permitted), the microwaves can focus on a single point inside the microwave. This can cause a heat spot, which can cause the area to become deformed, warped or start to melt.
If microwaves are operated empty or to heat up foreign objects this will void the warranty.
Condensation or excess water 1. Food that is being cooked By the very nature of how a microwave works, it ‘excites’ the water molecules in the food it is heating, causing them to move about and generate heat from within the food. Often when the food heats up it reaches the point where steam is released. Dependent on the food type being heated (and its water content level), the length of time being heated for – and so the amount of steam generated – it is inevitable that some of the steam will condense and form back into water droplets within the microwave cavity. This can usually be found on the inner walls or most commonly on the back of the glass door. If not cleaned up, these droplets can start to form small ‘pools’ of water.
2. Cooling vents covered Cooling vents allow the heat and steam to escape from the microwave. These cannot be covered as it can cause excessive water to settle inside the microwave or the microwave to overheat.
The installation instructions in the instruction manual must be followed or the warranty will be void.
Paint damage/ peeling Maintenance If the microwave is within its warranty period, please contact customer services for further advice or take the microwave back to the retailer it was purchased from for a refund or replacement.
Light not working Bulb not working Due to the construction of microwaves and certain ‘dangerous’ components inside, the light bulb can only be changed by a qualified service engineer.
If the microwave is within its warranty period, please contact customer services for further advice or take the microwave back to the retailer it was purchased from for a refund or replacement
Paint damage/ peeling Maintenance If the microwave is within its warranty period, please contact customer services for further advice or take the microwave back to the retailer it was purchased from for a refund or replacement.
Light not working Bulb not working Due to the construction of microwaves and certain ‘dangerous’ components inside, the light bulb can only be changed by a qualified service engineer.
If the microwave is within its warranty period, please contact customer services for further advice or take the microwave back to the retailer it was purchased from for a refund or replacement
Over heating Cooling vents covered Cooling vents allow the heat and steam to escape from the microwave. These cannot be covered as it can cause excessive water to settle inside the microwave or the microwave to overheat.
The installation instructions in the manual must be followed or the warranty will be void.
Too noisy 1. Glass turntable fitted incorrectly Check that the glass turntable has been placed correctly on the turntable and is not hitting the walls/doors of the microwave during operation.
2. Dishes/plate are too large for the microwave Check that the dishes/plates are the correct size for the microwave and that they are not hitting the walls/door of microwave during operation.
Door not shutting/locking 1. Glass turntable fitted incorrectly Check that the glass turntable has been placed correctly on the turntable and is not stopping the door from shutting correctly.
2. Latches have become deformed If the microwave is within its warranty period, please contact customer services for further advice or take the microwave back to the retailer it was purchased from for a refund or replacement.
Turntable not rotating 1. Turntable coupling not fitted or tape not removed Check that the turntable coupling is fitted correctly and the transportation tape has been removed.
2. Turntable roller ring not fitted or fitted incorrectly Check that the coupling has be placed under the turntable and that it is position correctly.
3. Glass turntable fitted incorrectly Check that the glass turntable has been placed correctly on the turntable.
4. Turntable has developed a fault If the microwave is within its warranty period, please contact customer services for further advice or take the microwave back to the retailer it was purchased from for a refund or replacement.

Russell Hobbs RHM2023 microwave troubleshooting

PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE
Oven will not start a. Plug not secure in power socket, or not switched on.
b. Door is open.
c. Wrong operation is set.
Arcing or sparking a. Materials which should be avoided in microwave oven are used.
b. The oven is operated when empty.
c. Spilled food remains in the cavity.
Unevenly cooked food a. Materials which should be avoided in microwave oven are used.
b. Food is not defrosted completely.
c. Power setting for cooking time is incorrect.
d. Food is not turned or stirred.
Overcooked food Power setting for cooking time is incorrect.
Undercooked food a. Materials to be avoided in microwave oven are used.
b. Food is not defrosted completely.
c. Oven ventilation ports are restricted.
d. Power setting for cooking time is incorrect.
Incomplete defrosting a. Materials to be avoided in microwave oven are used.
b. Power setting for cooking time is incorrect.
c. Food is not turned or stirred.
Noise comes from turntable when oven is turned on Food residue exists between the turntable roller rest and cavity bottom.
Oven light does not glow a. The light bulb has burned out
b. START has not been pressed.

Russell Hobbs RHM2364SS microwave troubleshooting

Problem Potential reason Potential solution
Oven Will Not Come On A fuse in your home may be blown or the circuit breaker tripped. • Replace fuse or reset circuit breaker.
Power surge. • Unplug the microwave oven, then plug it back in.
Plug not fully inserted into wall outlet. • Make sure the 3-prong plug on the oven is fully inserted into wall outlet.
Door not securely closed. • Open the door and close securely.
Foods Are Either Overcooked or Undercooked Cooking times may vary because of starting food temperature, food density or amount of foods in oven. • Set additional cooking time for completion.
Food was not rearranged or stirred. • Some dishes require specific instructions. Check Cooking Guide or recipe for instructions.
Control Panel Lighted, Yet Oven Will Not Start Door not securely closed. • Open the door and close securely.
START pad not pressed after entering cooking selection. • Press START.
Another selection entered already in oven and CLEAR/OFF pad not pressed to cancel it. • Press CLEAR/OFF.
Cooking time not entered after pressing POWER LEVEL/TIME COOK. • Make sure you have entered cooking lime after pressing POWER LEVEL/TIME COOK
CLEAR/OFF was pressed accidentally. • Reset cooking program and press START.