Microwave - Normal Operational Characteristics

When you're using your microwave or 5-in-1 Advantium oven, you might notice different things while it's running, like sounds it's making or what the light is doing. There are some things that may seem unusual, but are actually normal. The information below helps explain what you can see or hear during normal operation of your microwave.

Door

It's normal for a microwave door to have some play or give in it. This doesn't mean that it's leaking microwave energy. The door is designed to allow heat and steam to escape to prevent the overheating of the appliance. This is what you should expect to see:

Steam around the door: If you see steam escaping from around the door, this is normal.
Moisture inside the door: You will see some moisture or condensation between the door panels after cooking or heating liquids. It should go away after a reasonable amount of time.
Light around the door or outer case: The light is located outside the cooking cavity and can reflect light out around the hinge, door, outer case, and oven lamp access cover.
Movement in the door: It's normal to be able to move the door up and down or in and out, up to around 1/8".

Sounds You May Hear

Microwaves make different sounds from model to model, or even how and where they are installed. A microwave installed over your range will make different noises than one on your counter. Here are some of the normal sounds you could hear.

Thumping, clicking, or hum while cooking at other power levels than High (10): When using a power level other than High, the magnetron cycles on and off to obtain the lower power. This cycling causes a dull thumping, clicking, or humming noise.
Combination cooking (microwave/convection models with this feature): The cycling of the convection element and fan will alternate continuously with the hum of the magnetron and the fan.
Clicking: It is normal to hear clicks or relays after starting the cycle. You can also hear them after pressing Start but before the microwave starts running.
Humming not in use: The transformer for the clock emits a slight humming sound that is usually not noticed.

Operation of the Lights

Microwaves have an interior light so you can see your food better in the cavity. If it is an over-the-range microwave, it will also have lighting underneath so that you can see the food you're cooking on the cooktop. Below are some things you may experience with your microwave's lighting.

Control Panel: The control panel buttons on microwaves are not backlit, meaning they do not light up.
Flickering light: Any of the lights could flicker in low voltage conditions.
Interior light not on: For model PVM9005 the glass is tinted so it can appear the interior light is not working. If you open the door and the light comes on, then the interior light is working normally.

Internal Fan and Vent Fan

Microwaves use fans for internal components, and on over-the-range models, for venting cooktop steam and odors. If you hear a fan-like noise that you can't tell what it is, here is what's normal.

Internal fan running while microwave door is open: It is normal for the internal fan for the electronics to continue to run for a few seconds after the microwave cycle is complete, even if the door is opened. This fan doesn't circulate air in the cavity.
Internal fan running while microwave is in use: A fan by the internal components will run continuously while the microwave is in use. This allows the moving air to cool the working parts.
Vent fan noise: The vent fan on an over-the-range microwave makes a noise similar to what you hear with a vent hood.
Vent fan noise when vent hasn't been turned on: The over-the-range microwave vent fan is controlled by a switch to turn it on or off. This vent fan comes on automatically if you're cooking and the bottom of the microwave gets too warm. The fan won't turn off until the microwave temperature lowers.
Noise from vent access cover: The Active Vent/Hidden Vent found on the JVM1800 series models will open during operation and remain open as long as the microwave is running. This keeps the electronics cool while the microwave is running. It's also normal to hear a clicking noise as this "vent" opens and closes.

Warm Cavity or Case

When using your microwave, you'll sometimes find it's unexpectedly warm or you find moisture when you didn't expect it. Below are reasons this can occur.

Warm outer case on the control panel side: The heat is normal and comes from the power transformer.
Cavity or outer case warm after cooking: Cooking foods in a microwave for long periods of time can make the cavity walls or floor warm. You might even find the outside case is warm as well. Some models even have a symbol on the outer metal case that looks like a triangle with waves; tis means "Caution, hot surface".
Cavity floor warm: Over-the-range microwaves have lights underneath and the heat from the surface lights can make the cavity floor warm when on for awhile.
Moisture or steam: Finding moisture or steam on on the cavity walls after cooking in the microwave cooking is normal.

Appliance Support

If you've looked over what are normal with microwaves and find that they don't cover what's happening with your microwave, the next step is to contact us for support. Whatever the need, we are here to help you.