Microwave Repair in Rocky Mount, NC
A microwave that sparks, hums without heating, or trips the breaker is usually a fixable problem, but it is not always worth the repair. We will tell you which side of that line your unit lands on. Most over-range microwaves under five years old are absolutely worth fixing. Most countertop units over $400 new are worth fixing. The cheap $89 countertop boxes are not.
Common microwave failures we see
Microwave hums but does not heat
The magnetron is the part that actually generates the microwaves. When it dies, you still get fan noise, the turntable spins, the light comes on, but food stays cold. Magnetron failure is the most common no-heat cause, followed by the high-voltage diode and the capacitor. We always discharge the capacitor before any internal work; the residual charge is dangerous.
Microwave sparks inside the cavity
Two possible causes. Either a piece of foil, a metal twist tie, or the waveguide cover is burned through. Waveguide cover is a mica panel inside the cavity wall, replaceable for under $30 in parts. We carry stock waveguide covers for the most common GE Profile, Whirlpool, Samsung and LG over-range units.
Door switch failure
Microwave will not start, or starts and immediately stops. The door interlock switches enforce the safety lockout. When any one of them fails open (or stuck closed, which is the dangerous mode), the unit refuses to run. We test and replace as a set because the switches age together.
Turntable motor
Plate sits dead while everything else looks fine. Quick under-cabinet replacement. About thirty minutes.
Control panel and membrane keypad
Especially common on Samsung over-range microwaves between years three and seven. The keypad membrane fails first; sometimes the panel board behind it also has to go.
Pricing for common microwave repairs
| Repair | Typical total |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic visit, Rocky Mount | $79 |
| Magnetron replacement | $185 to $295 |
| High-voltage diode | $145 to $195 |
| Waveguide cover | $115 to $165 |
| Door switch set | $135 to $185 |
| Turntable motor | $125 to $175 |
| Membrane keypad and panel | $215 to $345 |
When repair makes sense, when it does not
Over-range microwaves run $350 to $750 new and are a significant install. Repair almost always wins until the unit is past year eight. Countertop microwaves in the $300+ range usually pencil out for a magnetron repair. Sub-$150 countertops are not worth a $200 repair; replace.
Related
If your over-range microwave shares a circuit with your range hood, our vent hood repair page covers the fan-and-light side. For wall-oven combos see the oven repair page.