Microwave turntable not spinning: A troubleshooting guide

Is your microwave’s turntable on strike, leaving your meals unevenly cooked? Don’t let a silent spinner ruin your dinner plans! Dive into our guide below, complete with a detailed how-to video, and discover why your turntable is stuck and how you can restore its spin in no time.

Your microwave’s turntable is a rotating glass plate that spins dishes around so the heat gets distributed evenly to cook the food. When the turntable stops spinning, your food may end up overcooked in some parts and still cold in others.

The turntable could be malfunctioning for several reasons. Let’s explore some troubleshooting steps so you can get your microwave back in good shape.

If you need a replacement part for your microwave, enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to find what you need. Most orders arrive in two business days.

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Safety precautions

Please be very careful while working on a microwave since it contains high-voltage parts:

• Always unplug the microwave and discharge the high-voltage capacitor before working on it to eliminate the risk of electric shock.
• With the microwave unplugged, remove the outer case to gain internal access.
• Never power on the microwave without the cover in place.
• Wear insulating gloves and use insulated tools when testing any parts.
• Check all parts for damage before reassembling and powering up the microwave again.

Read More: How to use a multimeter

How to discharge a capacitor

IMPORTANT: Carefully follow the correct handling and discharge procedures since exposure to the voltage levels inside a microwave can potentially cause severe injury or death. Prioritize safety at all times and follow the instructions and recommendations provided by the manufacturer. If you do not feel comfortable discharging a capacitor, do not attempt to do it yourself.

1. Unplug the microwave from the power source.
2. Grab a screwdriver with good insulation on the handle to protect against electric shock.
3. Gently touch the insulated screwdriver blade to one terminal of the capacitor.
4. Slowly and gently slide the screwdriver forward until it reaches the other terminal of the capacitor. Hold it there for a few seconds. This discharge process often results in a loud and startling ‘POP’ sound.
5. Repeat the process to create a short circuit between each capacitor terminal and the chassis (bare metal mounting plate surface). If the capacitor has three terminals, use the same method.

Troubleshooting steps

Watch: How to replace a turntable motor

Step 1 – Make sure the turntable motor is turned on at the control panel

Some microwave control panels have an on/off button for the turntable during manual cooking. If this button or the underlying membrane is faulty, it could prevent the turntable from spinning.

Press the turntable button and listen for a relay click to see if the control board is sending the signal. If the button is malfunctioning, you may need to replace the touchpad or control panel assembly.

Step 2 – Check the turntable support

The turntable sits on a plastic or metal ring that allows it to rotate smoothly. Ball bearings or wheels are also mounted in this support. If the support gets damaged, the turntable may drag or grind to a halt.

1. Remove the turntable so you can access the support.
2. Look for cracks or broken pieces in the ring. If it’s damaged, swap it out for a new turntable support.

Step 3 – Check the turntable coupler

The turntable coupler connects the motor shaft to the turntable and allows some slippage as the turntable accelerates. If the plastic coupler breaks or wears out, the turntable’s rotation will stop even if the motor runs.

1. Keep the microwave unplugged.
2. Remove the turntable and shaft.
3. Look over the coupler for cracks or damage. If the coupler is faulty, replace it. Make sure the new one slides smoothly but snugly onto the motor shaft.

Step 4 – Check the turntable motor

A defective drive motor is the most common cause of a stuck turntable. This electric motor rotates the turntable via a drive coupling. Motors contain coils of copper wire that create a magnetic field when powered. If these windings fail, the motor won’t turn.

How to test the drive motor:

1. Unplug the microwave.
2. Loosen and remove the bottom of the microwave.
3. Use a multimeter to check for resistance in the motor windings. A turntable motor should have a resistance of about 40 ohms. If there’s no resistance or it’s way off, the motor needs to be replaced.

Step 5 – Check and/or replace the control board 

The microwave’s control board regulates all the machine’s functions, including supplying power to the turntable motor. If the control board is defective, it could prevent the motor from turning the table.

The control board should only be replaced as a last resort after you’ve ruled out other failed components. You’ll also want to test to confirm that the motor isn’t receiving voltage.

Read More: How to clean the microwave

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you fix the turntable in your microwave.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, you can find other resources and our DIY blog at AppliancePartsPros.com. There, you can enter your model number and use our compatibility tool to order the exact parts you need. Most orders arrive in 2-3 business days.

We’re here to help! You can reach our award-winning customer service team at 1-877-477-7278, chat with a pro on our website and watch thousands of free video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!