How to Repair an Over the Range Microwave

Test the breaker box. Ensure that no fuses have tripped or blown. Reset any tripped fuses and try the microwave again.

Check the door to ensure it closes properly. A faulty door can lead to a failure to cook or cause fuses to blow repeatedly.

Inspect the plastic coupling beneath the tray at the bottom of the microwave if the carousel won’t turn. Make sure the tray sits level on the turning mechanism.

Unplug the microwave and remove the tray and carousel from inside in preparation for disconnecting it from between the cabinets. Remove the fasteners located on the underside of the cabinet above the microwave and remove it from its position over the range.

Tip the unit onto its back or side. Remove the screws holding the housing to the frame with a screwdriver. Remove the housing and set it aside.

Refer to the microwave owner’s manual to identify the capacitor. Make a mental note not to touch this component while doing your repairs as it can cause electrocution even when the appliance is unplugged. Also make note not to disturb the magnetron.

Clean the switches and other interior components with a soft cloth.

Test the 120-volt electrical cord with a multimeter. Set the multimeter to RX1 and twist the unit’s two jumper wires together. Touch the meter’s probes to the microwave plug’s prongs.

Bend and pull the cord around. The meter should continually read zero ohms if the cord is undamaged, since this means there’s no resistance to the flow of electricity when the cord is plugged in. If strange fluctuating readings occur, the cord is faulty and should be replaced with a duplicate cord.

Test the fuse by touching the multimeter’s probes to each end of the microwave’s fuse. A reading should appear on the meter to show that electricity is running through the fuse. Replace the fuse if the reading shows zero ohms.

Test the touch pad controls by examining the pad wiring for poor connections. Clean the contacts of individual buttons that don’t work with a clean pencil eraser. Wipe away remaining residue with a foam swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Replace the pad entirely if the attempt at repairing it doesn’t work.

Reassemble the microwave, plug it in, and test it. If it still gives you trouble, take the microwave to a repair center or buy a new microwave.