Microwave Turntable Does Not Turn

Some of our customers experience this seemingly not particularly big, but yet annoying problem – once in a while the turntable in their microwave oven stops turning. Nearly everyone ignores the problem at first – until they realize the unfortunate truth – the turntable that fails to turn does affect the food quality. While this problem seems like a simple one, and most likely, you wouldn’t have to deal with the high-voltage microwave circuit, it may still take a while to diagnose it.

Examine the Turntable

You do not always have to be an expert in appliance repair to fix the turntable or at least to troubleshoot the problem. Firstly, make sure the turntable is seated properly, centered inside the microwave oven. There is a shaft, protruded from the bottom of the microwave, often D-shaped. The turntable should be seated on the shaft properly.

Sometimes, the turntable might be places upside down by mistake. Make sure it is facing the right side up.

Sometimes the small pieces of food or debris can stuck under the turntable, preventing it from turning.

Certain microwave producers attach a tape to their microwave turntables. Take off the tape before you run the microwave for the first time, or it will produce weird squeaking noise.

If your microwave has a turntable off and on feature make sure it was not accidentally triggered. Sometimes the problem can be, in fact, in the faulty touchpad or the control panel. Try pressing the turntable on or off the pad to reengage it.

Diagnose the Turntable Motor

Make sure to unplug your appliance before you take off the cover.

Check the user manual, take off the microwave cabinet and locate the turntable motor.

Use the multi-meter to test the motor for continuity. Replace the motor in case it has no continuity.

If you have professional experience in repair and you can take the necessary precautions, you may plug the microwave and test the wires for AC 120V with the multi-meter. If there is no power coming to the motor the problem can be with the control board.

Examine the Glass Tray Drive Coupling. Have a look at the glass tray drive coupling – it could be stripped or worn out. To examine the coupling carefully pull it out of the turntable motor shaft.

Also, have a look at the microwave turntable guide. If the guide is not lined up properly it would prevent the tray from turning. Sometimes the food could fall down and block it as well, so it is always a good idea to clean the microwave oven properly. Sometimes it may be necessary to replace or adjust the guide.

Replacing the Turntable motor

In case you have managed to narrow the problem down to the turntable motor – simply reattached the wires and screw the motor back. Turn on the microwave and test the motor – don’t forget to close the microwave door before testing! After you screw the microwave make sure the coupling fits it perfectly. We recommend using only producer-certified parts, however if you do not have access to them you may have to tweak the tabs with the pliers. We would like to point out that we recommend you to avoid doing that, and try to get the certified parts that match your model instead.