Why Is My Microwave Plate Not Spinning?

Rotation is an essential element to your microwave’s success. It allows the food to cook evenly and prevents hot spots and burns. If your microwave plate isn’t spinning properly, it’s not only a nuisance—it can actually be dangerous if it causes too much heat to concentrate in one place. If your microwave plate is malfunctioning, this guide has the answers. We look at some simple solutions that can get your microwave back to functioning in no time. 

How Does the Turntable Motor Work?

Before you start troubleshooting the cause of your microwave plate not spinning, let’s quickly look at how the turntable mechanism works. A microwave turntable mechanism features a motor that drives a small platform, which is then fitted into a glass plate. The motor rotates constantly when the microwave is turned on, ensuring the plate’s steady rotation. 

The spinning motion is essential for even cooking in your microwave. Without this, the microwave energy will be concentrated, leading to hotspots and even burnt places in your food. 

Check the Power Supply

If the microwave plate isn’t spinning, the first element to investigate should be the power supply. Without power, none of the microwave’s processes can function. If the power supply is the culprit, your microwave won’t be turning on at all. Even the clock display and internal light won’t work. Here’s what to do:

• It may seem obvious, but make sure your microwave is properly plugged into the outlet. If you’ve recently moved it, the plug could have bumped loose from the outlet. 
• Make sure the microwave is plugged directly into the outlet and not into a power strip or extension cord. Using these can overload the circuit. The cord or strip could also be faulty. 
• If your microwave still isn’t working, check if the outlet itself is working by plugging in a different appliance. If the appliance works, the outlet is functioning. This means that the problem lies with your microwave, not with the power supply. 
• Check if the circuit breaker that powers your microwave has tripped. Locate your home’s circuit board, then ensure that all the breakers are in the ‘on’ position. If not, turn them on and then test your microwave to see if it’s now functioning properly. 

Check the Plate’s Positioning

Your microwave plate spinning issue might be as simple as it being incorrectly positioned. The glass plate needs to be fitted into the correct grooves on the turntable spindle to allow it to properly spin when the motor runs. Here’s how to realign it:

• Take the plate off the spindle. This is a good chance to clean the plate thoroughly as well. Sometimes a build-up of food or other debris can start to affect how the plate fits on the spindle. 
• Make sure there are no obstructions blocking where the plate fits onto the spindle. If necessary, clean the interior of the microwave to ensure that no residue is affecting rotation. 
• Check if your changes have fixed the spin issue. 

Check the Roller Ring

The roller ring isn’t present in every microwave, but if yours has one, that can be what’s causing the plate to not spin properly. The roller ring is a slender plastic ring with small plastic wheels that help the microwave plate to spin smoothly. If the ring is out of alignment or if the wheels are damaged or obstructed, the plate won’t spin properly. To check this:

• Remove the microwave plate and carefully check the roller ring for issues. 
• If the ring is dirty, clean it thoroughly, paying particular attention to the wheels. 
• Make sure the ring is properly aligned in the grooves so it can spin smoothly. 
• If the ring is damaged, you’ll need to replace it. You can purchase a new ring directly from your microwave manufacturer or from an online appliance parts store. Just make sure it’s compatible with the make and model of your microwave. 
• Once the ring has been cleaned or replaced, run the microwave briefly to test whether it’s spinning normally. 

Check the Door Switches

The door switches prevent your microwave from operating while the door is open. If the switch is malfunctioning or blocked, your microwave won’t spin or run, even if the door seems to be closed. To check this:

• Check if the microwave light turns off when you close the door. If not, there’s likely a latch malfunction. 
• Remove any obvious blockages from the door latch and then check if the issue has been fixed. 
• If the issue persists, test the door switch with a multimeter to see if it has continuity. If it doesn’t, it will need to be replaced. You can either do this yourself after ordering a replacement part or hire a professional. 

Replace the Turntable Motor

If all else fails, you can try replacing the turntable motor to fix your plate spinning issues. Note that this is a relatively major DIY operation, so only attempt it if you’re experienced with electrical DIY. If a failed motor is your issue, your microwave will still light up and heat your food, but the plate won’t spin at all, despite being properly aligned. 

• First, ensure that your microwave is completely unplugged and that the capacitor has been discharged to prevent electric shock. Because the capacitor retains a charge even when the microwave is disconnected from its power supply, it can cause serious injury or even death if you touch it accidentally. If you don’t know how to safely discharge a capacitor, you should hire a professional for help.
• Consult your manual for information on how to access the turntable motor in your model. In most models, you’ll need to remove the bottom panel. 
• Use a multimeter to test the motor for continuity to confirm it’s not working. 
• Source a replacement motor, ensuring it’s compatible with your appliance. 
• Remove the old motor and install the new one, ensuring all connections are the same as the old one. 
• Put your microwave back together and restore power. 
• Run a test cycle to ensure your microwave plate is now spinning properly.