YES - EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. You should NEVER continue using a sparking microwave. The dangers include: (1) Fire hazard: Arcing can ignite food, paper products, or plastic components inside the microwave, causing fire. Grease buildup near arcing points is especially flammable. (2) Magnetron damage: Continued sparking can damage the magnetron (₹2500-5000 to replace). Once damaged, the microwave won't heat food. (3) Radiation leakage: Severe internal damage from arcing can compromise the microwave's shielding, potentially allowing microwave radiation to leak. (4) Electrical shock risk: Arcing indicates exposed electrical pathways that could create shock hazards. (5) Toxic fumes: Burning plastic components release toxic fumes. STOP immediately, unplug, and diagnose the cause before any further use.

It depends on the cause: Safe DIY fixes: (1) Removing metal objects from cavity - always safe, (2) Cleaning food splatter and grease buildup - safe and often solves the problem, (3) Replacing waveguide cover - the ONLY internal repair safe for DIY (no high voltage exposure), costs ₹150-400, takes 15-20 minutes. MUST call professional: (1) Cavity paint peeling - requires special microwave-safe paint, (2) Magnetron antenna damage - high voltage danger, fatal shock risk, (3) Sparking continues after cleaning and waveguide replacement, (4) Any work requiring removal of main casing, (5) Internal wiring issues. General rule: If problem is external/superficial (waveguide cover, cleaning) = DIY safe. If problem requires accessing high-voltage components = ALWAYS professional.

This typically indicates food-related causes rather than microwave defects: (1) Minerals in vegetables: Carrots, green beans, and peppers contain iron, magnesium, and other minerals. When microwaved, these can create tiny arcing effects (harmless sparks). Solution: Cut vegetables into smaller pieces, add water, use lower power. (2) Metal particles in food: Some foods contain trace metal contaminants (especially root vegetables with soil residue). Washing thoroughly prevents this. (3) Specific food shapes: Pointed or sharp foods (like kale edges) can concentrate electromagnetic energy, causing minor arcing. Solution: Trim sharp edges. (4) Dried/carbonized food spots: If previous use left burnt residue, it becomes conductive and sparks when you heat the next item. Solution: Deep clean cavity. If sparking is occasional and brief with certain foods, likely harmless. If frequent/intense, inspect waveguide cover for damage.

This is the waveguide cover - one of the most critical components in your microwave. Function: It covers the opening where microwaves enter the cooking cavity from the magnetron. Microwaves must pass through this cover to reach food. The cover prevents food particles, grease, and moisture from entering the waveguide and reaching the magnetron antenna (which would cause expensive damage). Why it gets damaged: (1) Food splatter buildup: Grease and food particles accumulate on cover, carbonize under microwave energy, become electrically conductive, cause arcing which burns holes in the cover. (2) Age: Mica absorbs moisture over 3-5 years, loses insulating properties. (3) High heat: Convection/grill modes expose cover to intense heat, causing warping or burning. Symptoms of damage: Brown/black burn marks, holes, warping, or sparks emanating from the side wall area. Solution: Replace immediately (₹150-400). Never operate microwave with damaged waveguide cover - will damage magnetron.

Repair costs vary significantly by cause: DIY-fixable issues: (1) Waveguide cover replacement parts: ₹150-400 (zero labor if DIY), (2) Cleaning supplies for food splatter: ₹50-100, (3) Total DIY cost: ₹150-500. Professional repairs: (1) Service visit/diagnosis: ₹300-800, (2) Waveguide cover replacement (with labor): ₹500-1200 total, (3) Cavity repainting (peeling paint): ₹800-2000, (4) Magnetron replacement (if damaged by arcing): ₹2500-5000, (5) Door seal replacement: ₹600-1500. Cost-effectiveness: For basic solo microwaves (₹4000-7000 new), repairs over ₹2000 rarely worth it unless unit is under 2 years old. For premium convection microwaves (₹12000+), repairs up to ₹5000 worth it if unit under 5 years old. Most sparking issues are waveguide-related and cost under ₹1200 to fix professionally, making repair the smart choice.

YES - This is the primary danger of continued sparking. The magnetron is the most expensive component in your microwave (₹2000-4000 for the part alone). How sparking damages the magnetron: (1) Direct arcing: If sparking occurs near the magnetron antenna (behind waveguide cover), the arc's extreme heat (up to 3000°C) can melt the antenna dome seal, causing permanent magnetron failure. (2) Reflected energy: When the waveguide cover is damaged, microwaves reflect back toward the magnetron instead of entering the cavity. This "reflected power" overheats the magnetron, burning out its internal cathode filament. (3) Voltage spikes: Arcing creates electrical noise and voltage spikes in the high-voltage circuit, stressing the magnetron and shortening its life. (4) Overheating: Continued operation while sparking causes magnetron to work harder (less efficient microwave delivery), leading to thermal failure. Critical timing: If you stop using the microwave immediately when sparking starts and fix the cause (waveguide cover), magnetron usually survives undamaged. If you continue using it for days/weeks while sparking, magnetron failure is almost guaranteed. This turns a ₹300-500 waveguide replacement into a ₹2500-5000 magnetron replacement.

If sparking continues after removing all visible metal, the cause is internal microwave damage: (1) Damaged waveguide cover (most common): Check the small mica/plastic panel on side/top wall for burnt spots, holes, or brown discoloration. Even minor damage causes arcing. Solution: Replace waveguide cover (₹150-400 DIY). (2) Peeling cavity paint: Inspect ceiling, walls, and floor for paint chips or rust spots exposing bare metal underneath. Microwaves hitting exposed metal cause arcing. Solution: Professional cavity repainting with microwave-safe paint (₹800-2000). (3) Carbonized food residue: Old burnt food becomes electrically conductive. Appears as black crusty deposits on walls/ceiling. Solution: Deep clean with baking soda paste, scrub thoroughly. (4) Magnetron antenna damage: If arcing damaged the magnetron's antenna dome (visible behind waveguide opening), requires professional magnetron replacement (₹2500-5000). (5) Loose internal screw/fastener: Rarely, a loose metal screw inside cavity can cause arcing. Requires professional inspection. Start with waveguide cover inspection/replacement - this fixes 70% of persistent sparking cases.

Minor sparking during first 1-2 uses can be normal, but heavy sparking is not. Normal first-use sparking: (1) Manufacturing oils burning off: Microwaves have protective oils on internal components from factory. First few uses may show brief, minor sparks as these burn away. Typically stops after 2-3 uses. (2) Adhesive residue: Stickers, labels, or tape residue inside cavity can spark until completely removed. Solution: Wipe entire interior with damp cloth before first use. NOT normal - indicates defect: (1) Bright, sustained arcing: Suggests manufacturing defect - damaged waveguide cover, loose screw, or magnetron issue. (2) Sparking accompanied by burning smell: Indicates component damage or electrical problem. (3) Continuous sparking every time operated: Defect, not break-in period. What to do: For new microwave under warranty with persistent sparking: (1) Stop using immediately, (2) Contact brand service center for free inspection/replacement under warranty, (3) Do NOT attempt DIY repair - voids warranty. Most brands replace unit free if defect found within 30 days. Document sparking with phone video for warranty claim evidence.