Last Updated: April 27, 2022
Nobody gets used to the beeping, humming, or buzzing sound our home appliances sometimes make. Aside from the inconvenience that an undesirable sound causes, too much clamor could also be detrimental to our health.
Once you notice your microwave making an unusually annoying sound, you'll start looking for some quick fixes. Hence, please keep reading if you're on this page to learn how to mute microwave disturbance effectively.
Let's find out how to put that beeping sound from your microwave at rest and enjoy the benefits of comfortable silence.
What Causes The Unusual Beeping Sound From Your Microwave
The noisiest room in the house is usually the kitchen, with appliance dissonance levels ranging from 40 to 90 dB. Kitchen appliances include a food mixer, whistling kettle, dishwasher, waste disposal unit, exhaust fan, and microwave oven.
The microwave is handy kitchen equipment for cooking, warming up leftover foods, or defrosting meat. Nevertheless, it will even be more useful if we can have it operate in silence or cause minimal distractions.
But before we get to the part of learning how to make microwave silent, let's try to understand that beeping sound from our conventional ovens. You first need to diagnose what causes that microwave sound.
Nonetheless, know that a microwave comprises high voltage and high current, and attempting to repair it has risks. Microwave ovens are not like other appliances that you can dismount and explore after switching off the power.
Even after unplugging the microwave, its capacitors can still hold a lethal charge. It is best to leave any repair of your device to professionals for your safety. Several factors can contribute to microwave oven sound; it can be a defect in some of these parts:
- Microwave door
- Microwave turntable motor
- Cooling Or Exhaust Fan
- Magnetron
- Stirrer Motor
How To Silence A Microwave
It's understandable to encounter clamor once in a while, as that typically happens in a busy household. But prolonged exposure to particular clatter can be harmful, from inducing needless stress to sleeping problems or even lack of concentration.
One of the most common concerns that microwave users often encounter is the disturbing beep it makes. Here are some foolproof hacks to quiet down your units.
Fun Fact: There are microwave ovens in the market rated as silent. You can learn more about them by researching quiet microwave ovens for a better choice!
1. Activate Your Microwave's Silent Mode Feature
Deactivating a kitchen timer, like in microwaves, comes in several ways, and it may vary for every model.
So, if you want to know how to turn off microwave beep, checking if your unit comes with a silent mode button is your first step. The mute button has the word "sound" or a speaker icon.
Like in a Samsung Microwave MS14K6000AS, you only need to locate that big sound button, and once you do, press off, then press start once again.
Today, many modern microwaves come with such a feature, although some units have no noticeable indication of this specific function. For microwaves lacking the sound button, try to see if some of the other buttons come with dual functionality.
Otherwise, you can adjust your microwave's sound settings and silence it by pressing the "Cancel" or "0" button long enough for some models. Note that this action can sometimes activate the child lock feature and will lock the control panel.
If you accidentally activated the child lock feature, you may press the same button again for three seconds to deactivate it. Try exploring between "1", "0", "Stop," or "Cancel" buttons and see which of these can stop your microwave from beeping.
2. Check The Microwave Door
Before you explore how to mute microwave noises, ensure that you check that all parts are working as they should. Your unit will still function even with a loose hinge on the microwave's door, but it will cause some clamor.
Inspect your microwave's door latch assembly or the switch for loose hinges or springs.
Such a problem is typical for microwave units you've been using for quite a while. Worn-out spings or loose hinges inside the trim panel can cause the door to vibrate when the microwave runs, hence, the snapping sound.
If you find that it is the door that is why you can't use your microwave in silence, you can try lubricating the latch first. Ensure that the device is turned off and lubricate the latch carefully.
However, if the door or any other parts are entirely defective due to the device's old age, acquiring replacement parts might be necessary. Or, at times, you may have to replace the microwave that you've been using for a long time.
Getting a new microwave oven is a straightforward but costly solution, but one that you might have to consider if the situation calls for it.
3. Reference The Unit's User Manual
Some may not have the luxury of time to figure out how to make your microwave silent. Checking your microwave's user manual will save you a lot of time. You will also need the user manual if you intend to replace some parts.
Such manuals serve as a handy guide to using your microwave to its maximum benefit and may offer quick fixes for common issues.
Do internet research using personal information, such as microwave brand and model number, to see instructions on how to put your microwave on silent mode. Maybe the solution to the noise problem only requires an easy fix.
If you have a new microwave oven, ensure that you go through the product registration from the manufacturer's website. It will help you get better assistance with your device, seek help for maintenance issues, and receive product updates.
4. Get Familiar With The Control Panel
Due to technological advances nowadays, many electronic devices or equipment come with a control panel. From cooktops to dishwashers and refrigerators, almost everything has mechanical controls.
The microwave control panel is undoubtedly essential, providing you with the convenience of navigating through your device.
You can expect those accustomed to the old-fashioned way of using their electrical appliances to have some learning curves. With that in mind, it would help to explore these digital controls until you become more familiar with using them.
Microwave use becomes effortless, especially since the mute option for some models comes as a secondary function in one of the buttons. Familiarization with the control panel can help you identify the settings and how to use each appropriately.
5. Kick-Start The Sensors
If your microwave oven comes with sensor technology, like in GE microwave or Toshiba microwave, the sensor panel sometimes works inaccurately.
Sometimes, the warmth of your fingers will activate the sensor or when it detects food in it, even when there's none.
Several microwave ovens with sensors automatically begin cooking once it detects food in the device, while others require you to use a manual switch. As such, any problem with the sensor can cause the microwave's incessant beeping.
You can fix it by refreshing the sensors; try placing a cup of sugar water in the microwave, then set the heat to the lowest setting. Remove the cup after running the microwave for fifteen seconds, then press the stop button.
This hack should do the trick with that annoying microwave clangor. But if this step doesn't work, that only means the sensor is working fine, and other problems could cause an unusual sound in your microwave.
6. Check For Defective Turntable Motor Or Turntable Plate
Microwaves use motor-driven couplers to turn glass trays, and once the turntable motor or roller starts wearing out, your unit will also begin making a disturbance. The unusual sound gets more noticeable as the turntable rotates.
This problem would not affect the microwave's performance, although it may not be as efficient anymore, and the noise problem could worsen.
You might've failed to position the microwave plate appropriately after dismounting and cleaning it, so it produces an odd sound. One indicator of possible turntable misalignment is if you notice the equipment making periodic clicking sounds whenever the motor rotates the turntable plate.
The turntable motor causes the problem and not the rotating plate if you hear a grinding sound before the microwave becomes entirely malfunctioning.
If uncertain whether the turntable motor or the plate causes the problem, watch out for the grinding jangle that typically happens before the unit becomes inoperable. You may get a replacement drive motor if you find it to cause unwanted dissonance.
7. Faulty Cooling Or Exhaust Fan
A significant part of every microwave design is the integrated cooling fan. Cooling fans regulate the magnetron temperature by circulating the air through the exhaust system. It will produce an odd boisterousness if the fan is defective.
If your microwave consistently fails to work in silence, a damaged cooling fan likely causes it.
Before proceeding further, inspect other parts, such as the charcoal filter, grease filter, and damper assembly. If none of these parts are clogged or inoperable, check the fan motor next.
Locate this fan in the device's interior cabinet, where it cools the magnetron. First, you must unplug the unit from power. Second, remove and inspect the cover. And third, see if the fan blades have any foreign objects sticking out from or stuck to them.
Fun Fact: You could address this problem if you know how to apply soundproofing to your microwave fan! Research about how to make a fan quieter and save money from replacing one.
A multimeter can be helpful to determine if the motor has a continuous electrical path because if not, it means you have a faulty motor. If such is the case, then a replacement fan motor is necessary.
8. Magnetron Problem
You might sometimes hear a specific dissonance from your microwave that seems like humming or blowing. Such an occurrence could mean that the cooling fan works at full speed to blow off steam from the magnetron as the microwave cooks your meal.
Running the microwave empty can cause severe damage as there is nothing that will absorb the radio waves in the oven's interior.
A magnetron produces electromagnetic radio waves responsible for the heat that cooks and warms your food. Such waves drive water molecule vibration, resulting in friction capable of generating heat.
Consequently, powering on an empty microwave is detrimental to the magnetron since no food or liquid will absorb the radio waves. Once damaged, the absence of a magnetron might lead to an inoperable microwave or less heating efficiency.
You can check if a faulty magnetron is what causes your oven to not function in silence by using an ohmmeter or multimeter. But since magnetrons come with a high voltage, it might be best to acquire the services of a professional to diagnose and repair such a problem.
9. Stirrer Engine Breakdown
Your microwave's stirrers have rotating blades that provide consistent heat distribution so that food cooks evenly. Like in any other motor, the stirrer eventually wears down, and when it does, you are likely to hear your microwave grinding.
Hearing your microwave grinding or clicking indicates that the stirrer motor is already wearing out.
While you can still use your microwave oven even without the stirrer, the lack of a stirrer would compromise the microwave's capacity to heat foods evenly. That includes heating foods like ham, turkey, and the like.
Yes, you may heat some dinner or heat a cup of coffee. But even things like defrosting meat will be a thing of the past without the stirrer. If you damage your stirrer, reference the user manual, identify the part number you need to replace, and call your local appliance store.
You may also get one online; try searching the part number online to determine which online stores are selling it.
10. Hard Reset Your Device
After trying all the troubleshooting steps to determine the problem and still none worked to stop your microwave from beeping, try doing a hard reset. Hard resetting your microwave is the more advanced option to eliminate the continuous beep despite trying all available workarounds.
It's best to entrust this part to a professional unless you are fully confident that you have the skill or experience working with electronics.
Unplug your unit from the power source to run a hard reset, and wait for five to ten minutes before plugging it again. Since this specific part varies per microwave model, you may have to restart some units' time, date, and other settings.
The microwave's capacitor releases residual electricity and restores the sensors to their default state when you perform a hard reset. That step would seem like a well-suited option if, after doing all the steps above and you still can't get rid of the beep.
There are several different ways to hard reset a microwave. In case one option to do it won't work, try another until you get your unit to work in silence or at least with minimal disturbance.
If completing this process still won't do the trick, do not hesitate to seek an expert's advice, or maybe it's time for a new microwave. A service professional can help you accurately identify the problem, as some of the mechanical parts of your microwave might require attention.
Fun Fact: If you run out of options in addressing your microwave oven noise, then you could opt for soundproofing! Learn how to build a soundproof box to lessen the irritating noise you hear.
Watch This!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to activate microwave silent mode?
Your first step in learning how to mute a microwave is to look closely at the control panel. Look for the volume or sound button if you don't see the mute button there. Such a function varies for every microwave model.
Depending on the distinct specification of your microwave unit, you can mute its sound by pressing and holding buttons 1 or 0 on the control panel. Otherwise, you may do the same using the start or cancel button.
Why does a microwave beep?
It's part of every microwave oven to have an integrated beeping sound. Such a feature alerts the user if something's amiss or when pressing buttons. A high-pitched beeping tone lets you know that the system acknowledges whatever you press on the button.
You will also hear beeping when the cooking time is over and if your microwave requires your attention. The microwave emits a long, rapid beep when there's a power surge or power outage.
Is there a silent microwave available in the market?
More and more people find a silent microwave oven an essential kitchen appliance for their day-to-day food preparation. Such a device offers more convenience and operates in silence; hence the demand for the best quiet microwave increases.
Even though microwaves generally operate more silently than other household appliances, no manufacturer can guarantee to make a microwave quieter a hundred percent. However, models that run in silence, with minimal noise, or have a mute function or a sound button are available.
Conclusion
Microwaves deliver exceptional convenience in our society nowadays; it allows you to enjoy no-bake cookies, quick-cooking, or heating of your refrigerated food.
However, microwave noise can be disturbing, especially if the beeping tone goes off randomly. Learning different workarounds on how to make a microwave silent will come in handy at such times.
A professional can probably figure out how to silence a microwave more effectively if none of the above solutions work. Despite the importance of the beeping noise, all the noise disturbances can outweigh its functionality in the first place.
Ensure that you exhaust all resources available before even considering getting a new device.