Tired of the incessant beeps your microwave makes from time to time? If so, you are not alone.
Microwave beeps can be annoying at times, especially when you have important guests at your home or when in a meeting.
Why do microwaves beep? Are these beeps of any importance, or can you just simply open the microwave without it having to make noise?
Let’s explore the reasons behind these beeps and how you can disable them.
Related: Why does a microwave spin?
Why Does A Microwave Beep?
The most essential answer to this question is safety. Microwaves are designed in a way to alert you when something goes wrong.
Below are some of the reasons why your microwave beeps:
- Pressing the buttons
The first and most common beeps in microwaves result from pressing the buttons on the microwave. These high-pitched beeping sounds are important as they suggest that the pressing has been registered.
- When food is cooked
Your microwave can beep beeping after your food has completed cooking.
A microwave has a timer that is important in counting down seconds until your food has completed cooking.
When the timer counts to zero, the microwave beeps to let you know the time is over or your food is done cooking.
These beeps are very helpful because you won’t have to keep checking on your food every couple of seconds. The microwave does work for you.
- In case of a problem
Beeping sound occurs when your microwave needs some attention. If your microwave has any problems, it alerts you through a series of rapid beeps.
For example, if your microwave isn’t getting enough power, it starts beeping to inform you about the insufficient power.
- Internal fault
Your device makes noise when there’s some internal fault. You can check your user manual to learn how to fix this.
- when the door isn’t closed
A continuous beeping sound is produced when the door isn’t closed properly. It’s very important that you close the door when you turn on your device.
Meanings of Different Types of Beeping Sounds Coming from Your Microwave
A microwave makes different beeping sounds which all have their meaning.
Below are 4 types of beeping sounds your microwave makes that you need to understand:
- The constant beeping. When the time you set to cook your food expires, the microwave starts beeping constantly.
- Beeping every few minutes. When your food remains in the microwave long after the time set expires, it will beep every minute.
- Beeping after pressing the buttons on your microwave. The sensors in it make it produce beeping sounds when you press the buttons.
- Beeping after double pressing the buttons. Double-pressing the controls makes your microwave produce a high-pitched noise.
How to Stop Your Microwave from Continuous Beeping
- Perform a soft reset
If your microwave is continuously beeping because of an internal fault, you should do a soft reset to solve the problem.
Most devices contain a “RESET” button on the display board. Use this button for resetting.
For those that do not have a reset button, try pressing the “OFF” or “CLEAR” button for 3 seconds to perform a soft reset.
If all this does not work, check the user manual to see how you should perform a soft reset on your microwave oven.
- Do a quick break routine.
Sometimes, the microwave oven sensors may behave as if there is something inside when there isn’t, making it beep for no reason.
You can put this to an end by performing a quick break routine.
Here is a guide on how to perform a quick breakdown step-by-step:
- Take a cup, make a sugar or salt solution, and place it in your microwave.
- Set the microwave on low power and a time setting of 15 seconds
- Once the time set is over, take the cup out
- Press the CLEAR or STOP button.
This will reset the sensors to stop the beeping noises.
- Unplug and Replug the Microwave
If the quick break routine or soft reset method doesn’t work, try out the hard resetting method.
Follow these steps;
- Turn off the microwave and unplug
- Give it 30 minutes. This gives time for the electric power in the microwave sensors and processors to be eliminated.
- Replug the microwave into a power source and press the turn-on button.
This procedure will stop the beeping if it is due to an internal fault.
- Make Sure the Microwave Gets Enough Power
If you suspect your microwave could be beeping due to power deficiency, try to plug it into another source of power that isn’t too crowded.
However, if the power insufficiency is due to brownouts, I’d advise you not to use the microwave at all.
But if you have to use it, ensure it’s hooked up to an inverter to prevent power interruptions.
- Call a Technician
If all the above methods fail, there might be an internal fault in the sensors or the circuitry, causing the beeping sounds.
Replacing the faulty item with a new one that works well will fix this issue, and the annoying beeping sounds will stop.
If you’ve got no experience in this type of job, don’t tamper with the microwave as accidents can happen. Always call a professional to handle the issue for you.
Can You Open a Microwave Before It Beeps?
You are heating food in your microwave, and it suddenly starts beeping. Should you wait for the beeping sound to stop before opening the door?
Beeping means it has completed cooking or reheating your food.
You’re recommended to wait for the beeping to stop so that you open the door, although you can still open it while in use.
The Bottom Line
Microwaves are designed to beep when you press the buttons when your food completes cooking, or when there is an internal fault.
Use the different methods discussed above to stop the beeping.
If it fails, call a technician to solve that problem for you.