Why Does My Microwave Trip the Circuit Breaker?

By Sarah Stasik

June 10, 2024

Microwaves draw a lot of power for a short period of time. That makes sense — you can use them to heat up a plate of leftovers in less than a minute when it would take several minutes or more to do the same in an oven or on the stovetop.

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When a microwave keeps tripping the breaker, most people realize that something's up with the electrical power involved. Even so, it can be frustrating to experience lights out in the kitchen every time you heat something up in the microwave.

Why Does My Microwave Trip the Circuit Breaker When I Turn It On?

If your microwave keeps tripping the circuit breaker, it might indicate one of several issues:

Overloaded Circuit

One of the most common issues that leads to a microwave tripping the circuit breaker is an overloaded circuit. Microwaves draw a lot of power suddenly, and if your circuit is already at near maximum capacity with other appliances, turning on the microwave could throw it over the cliff and cause the break.

Issues With the Appliance

A damaged, old or otherwise broken microwave can draw excess power or cause shorts or other issues that cause the circuit to overload and the breaker to trip.

Damaged or Problematic Circuit

If the circuit itself is old or otherwise in disrepair, it may not be able to handle the flow of electricity the microwave demands, causing a tripped breaker.

Try Troubleshooting

If your microwave is tripping the circuit breaker when you turn it on, consider doing some sleuthing to uncover a potential issue. Try plugging the microwave into another outlet that's not on the same circuit. If the issue happens on the new circuit, the microwave is the issue and you may need a new one. If the issue only happens on the one circuit, it's a sign that your circuit is overloaded or has a problem.

You can leave the microwave plugged in elsewhere if that makes sense. But you might need to have a professional come out to evaluate your circuit and make necessary repairs. If you can't plug your microwave into another location because it's built in, you may need to have someone create an additional circuit that can support your microwave.

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Why Does My Microwave Trip the Breaker When I Open the Door?

If the door interlock switch for your microwave is damaged, it can create a fault when you open the door, which can lead to tripping a breaker. You may want to replace the microwave or have it repaired in this case. The best option will depend on what type of microwave you have, how expensive it was and what the cost of parts might be to repair it.

Why Does My Microwave Trip the Breaker, Even Though It Never Has Before?

If your microwave is suddenly tripping the breaker when it never did before, it could be a sign that your appliance is damaged. However, it could also be a sign that you've changed something in your home that's created a near overload on the circuit. Turning on the microwave now is just enough power draw to put that situation over the edge.

Consider whether you have any new appliances or components drawing power from the same circuit as your microwave. For example, if you installed new kitchen cabinet lighting and it's powered by the same circuit, that might be the culprit. You can disconnect the power for this new item and see if the circuit breaker stops tripping when you use the microwave. It might be as simple as plugging a new component or appliance into a different circuit in your home.

If you're struggling to use your microwave without tripping the breaker, consider calling an electrician. They can help you pinpoint the source of the issue and address it by installing a new circuit or repairing damage to existing electrical structures in your home.

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