Symptoms
- Breaker trips as soon as the microwave starts or shortly after
- May happen consistently or only occasionally
- Other things on the same circuit may also lose power
- Microwave may otherwise seem to work fine between trips
Likely causes
- CommonMicrowave on a circuit shared with too many other high-draw appliancesMicrowaves draw significant current, and shared circuits can overload.
- PossibleFailing capacitor or diode causing a shortInternal component failure can cause excess current draw.
- PossibleWorn power cord or plugDamaged cords can short intermittently.
- Less commonWeak or faulty breaker itselfOccasionally the breaker itself is worn and trips too easily.
What to do
- Check what else is on the same circuit and try running the microwave with those other things unplugged.
- Inspect the power cord and plug for visible damage, fraying, or discoloration, and stop using it if you see any.
- If it trips even alone on a circuit with nothing else running, this points more strongly to an internal fault or a genuinely undersized circuit.
- Note whether it trips immediately at start or partway through a longer cook, which can help a technician or electrician narrow the cause.
- Do not keep resetting the breaker repeatedly if it trips every single time, since this can indicate a real short.
- Have an electrician check the circuit capacity and a technician check the microwave itself if the circuit tests fine.
When to call a pro
Have an electrician check whether the circuit is adequately sized, and an appliance technician inspect the microwave for an internal short.
Safety
Use caution
Repeated breaker trips can indicate a short circuit; avoid repeatedly resetting and using the microwave until the cause is found.