Should You Repair or Replace Your Broken Over-the-Range … – Consumer Reports

The thing about microwaves is that while they may look like simple boxes, they have some complicated electronics and arent a candidate for most DIY fixes. Thats because a microwave can hold an electrical charge of thousands of volts in its capacitors for hours or even days after it has been unplugged. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that people have been electrocuted trying to repair their microwaves. So dont try it.

While some microwave problems render them inoperable, not every problem requires an immediate repair. A chief complaint our members reported about their microwaves was that they were too noisy. Thats not something you can fix, and microwaves run in such short bursts that its likely you can tolerate the brief interruption. If the turntable stops turning, you can live with that for a while and rotate the food yourself so it heats evenly. But if the door wont shut or the control panel breaks (two of the top three most common problems reported), youll need a repair.

Finding the right person to repair your microwave isnt easy, perhaps because there are so many options. You can call the retailer where you bought it, call the manufacturer, or find an independent repair service in your area. Before reaching out, check to see if your microwave is under warranty (most manufacturers offer a one-year warranty). If its covered, the repair may cost less or even be free. In our survey, nearly half of the OTR microwaves that were professionally repaired were covered by a warranty.

In our member survey, we found that owners of OTR microwaves were roughly divided between having the repairs done by manufacturers, independent repair shops, and DIYers, with a smaller number reaching out to retailers for help. Our 2021 survey shows that when a repair was attempted, 86 percent were successful.

The best way to avoid a costly repair is to maintain your microwave, to begin with. Keep it clean, including the filters underneath, which can get gunky with cooking grease. Dont run it when empty, dont put anything other than food and microwave-safe dishware inside, and dont slam the door. (The door latches have to align for the microwave to work correctly.)

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Should You Repair or Replace Your Broken Over-the-Range ... - Consumer Reports