Frigidaire Microwaves

Frigidaire microwaves in the Bay Area mostly live in two places: above the range in a flat or condo kitchen, and on a counter in a rental or a home office. The over-the-range type does double duty as the vent hood, which is why it fails in ways a countertop oven never does. It takes grease and steam from the burners below.

The microwave lineup we see

We cover two over-the-range microwaves for this brand. FMOS1746BS is a 1.7 cu ft over-the-range unit, and FMOS1846BS is a 1.8 cu ft over-the-range unit. Frigidaire also sells built-in and countertop microwaves, and we look at all three styles.

Where to find the model number

On an over-the-range microwave the label is usually just inside the door frame or on the side wall of the cooking cavity, and sometimes on the top edge of the cabinet side near the mounting plate. Countertop units usually carry it on the back panel or the side. Write it down exactly, or photograph the label.

Common complaints

It runs but does not heat

The light, turntable and display all work, yet the food stays cold. That pattern points to the high-voltage side of the oven, a job for a technician with the right tools. Do not open the cabinet.

Sparks or arcing inside

A flash or crackle in the cavity usually traces back to a damaged waveguide cover, food residue baked onto a surface, or metal where it does not belong. Stop the oven at the first sign. Our troubleshooting article on Frigidaire microwave sparks or arcs inside walks through what to look at from the outside.

Door will not latch or the oven will not start

Microwaves refuse to run unless the door switches report a closed door. A bent hinge, a worn latch hook or a door that no longer sits flush can all keep the oven dead while the display still lights up.

Touch panel and display problems

Keys that do not respond, a display that dims, or a panel that beeps by itself can come from a worn membrane, moisture creeping in from the range below, or a control board fault.

Fan and light

The over-the-range model has a vent fan and a cooktop lamp. A fan that grinds, slows or stops is a common reason for a visit, and a greasy filter makes it worse.

Error codes

Our code library does not carry verified microwave display codes for Frigidaire, so we do not list any here. If your display shows a message or a letter-number combination, write it down exactly as it appears, along with what you were doing when it showed up, and give it to us at booking. For other appliance families you can browse the full error code library.

Safe first steps

• Confirm the outlet has power by plugging in a lamp, and check the breaker for that circuit and any GFCI protection upstream.
• Close the door firmly and look for food or a spilled cup stopping it from seating on the gasket edge.
• Wipe the door seal and the frame edge with a damp cloth, then try again.
• On an over-the-range unit, take out the grease filters you can reach from below and wash them in the sink, then dry them before putting them back.
• Unplug the microwave briefly and plug it back in once to clear a frozen display.

Do not remove the outer cover, do not poke at the door latch, and do not try to bridge any switch. The inside of a microwave can hold a dangerous charge long after it is unplugged.

When to stop using it

Unplug it, or switch off its breaker if the plug sits behind the oven, whenever you see sparks, smell something burning, notice a door that will not close flat, or hear a loud hum with no heat.

Next steps

When the basic checks do not bring it back, our Frigidaire microwave repair service covers over-the-range, built-in and countertop models in San Francisco and around the Bay. We diagnose first, give you a written estimate, and repair nothing until you approve it. Have the model number, a description of the fault and the date it began ready when you request a visit.

Frequently asked questions