GE Over the Range Microwave Installation

Turn the kitchen power off at the circuit breaker box. Move the range away from the area where you will be working. Locate each of the studs in the mounting area using a stud finder and mark their locations with a pencil.

Place the mounting template from the microwave box on the wall and tape it in place, using a level to line it up properly. When you tape the template to the wall, try to adjust it so that the bracket mounts to studs. If you are not able to attach it to studs on both sides, you will have to use toggle anchors.

Mark the locations that you need to drill using the pencil. Drill the holes using the drill and a drill bit. Make the holes for any toggle anchors you need to use large enough to accommodate them. Attach the mounting bracket to the wall using the hardware that came with the mounting bracket.

Drill the necessary holes in the bottom of the cabinet to allow you to install the mounting bolts into the top of the microwave using a drill and drill bit. Drill the opening for the electrical wire to pass through when you mount the microwave using a drill and drill bit.

Connect the electrical wire to the microwave. Red or black wires are hot, white or gray is neutral. The ground wires are always green or bare wires. Connect them accordingly and install wire nuts over the splices. Push the wire nuts into the housing of the microwave and install the wire box cover, tightening it with a Phillips screwdriver.

Lift the microwave with a helper and mount it on the wall bracket. Feed the electrical wire into the hole you drilled in the cabinet as you raise the microwave into place. Install the top mounting screws through the bottom of the cabinet into the top of the microwave using a Phillips screwdriver.

Connect the electrical wires to the kitchen circuit and install wire nuts on the splices. Wrap electrical tape around the wiring so that the wire nuts cannot accidentally come off. Attach the louver to the microwave and snap it into place. Turn the power on to the kitchen at the breaker box and program the microwave according to manufacturer instructions for your brand.