Microwaves have been around for over 70 years. They have saved many people time, effort, and energy when preparing their late-night meal or snack. But what can you do if your microwave door is giving you trouble?
Microwave doors can become stuck open or closed due to the door getting dirty or from parts breaking. Most of these repairs can be done at home with replacement parts or a good cleaning. But if the issues persist, you might need to call an expert.
We will walk you through the top four ways to repair your microwave so you can get back to your fast-paced life. We will also answer some of your questions and help you decide whether to repair your machine or move on to a new one. Keep reading to learn more!
What to Do If Your Microwave Door Won’t Open
Microwaves use several various methods to hold the door shut while it operates. These include door hinges, latches, seals, and other sealing mechanisms.
Like other types of doors, a microwave door can become jammed due to pollution or broken parts. Or they can become locked due to a system malfunction.
Fortunately, most of these jams or malfunctions are fairly easy to fix and require a little cleaning or repair job. But, some damages must be replaced or fixed by an expert if they remain jammed or broken.
1. A Dirty Door Jam
The most common cause of a jammed microwave door is debris building up in the door jams. This usually occurs where the door of the microwave connects to the microwave itself.
The slots along the side of the microwave allows the door hinges to connect and lock when the microwave is in use. Over time and with continued use these hinges can become dirty, jammed, and break down. When this happens, your microwave can get stuck closed and lock shut.
The best way to fix this is to give the door and door jams a good scrubbing. You can use hot water, soap, and a sponge to clean this area, unless it is particularly dirty.
If there is a lot of grease and debris you may want to use a degreaser, oven cleaner, or other harsh chemicals. Always wear gloves to ensure you don’t harm your skin!
2. Check the Open Button
Some microwaves use a door handle to open, while others have a push button which unlocks the door. However, this fix focuses on the push button since it can become jammed, dirty, or break from use.
If you try to press the open button and it stays pressed down, it’s a good indication that it is dirty and gets jammed as a result. Although this can be more difficult to clean than the door jams, it isn’t impossible.
Some microwaves will allow you to remove the open button by grabbing it from the sides. Although if this is not possible, then you should use a knife and some degreaser cleaner.
First, spray a lot of cleaners all over the designated area. Allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes. Then, take a rag and butter knife and try cleaning the small crevices around the button. This is where most grease and debris get lodged and can cause the door to get stuck on lock.
3. Broken Door Spring
The door springs are usually located in the open button and sometimes inside of the door latches. These springs release when pressed and can become jammed with grease, or break from wear.
If you tried cleaning the open button, but still do not notice any improvements, then you should replace the door spring. You can check the door spring by opening the door and running your fingers over the door latches.
If they spring upwards and fall back into place automatically, then your door spring is okay. But, if you notice resistance or your door springs getting stuck, you will need to replace them or fix them.
If you would like to watch a short tutorial, check out this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqeeGBhRwFw
The creator walks you through a quick fix for a malfunctioning door spring.
4. Replace Your Microwave Door
Sometimes there is no fixing the door spring and you might need to replace the whole door. This is especially true if your door will not stay shut or opens when in use.
This can be dangerous so make sure you either buy a replacement or hire an expert right away. Some microwave brands are more prone to fracturing or breaking altogether, and you should get these replaced through the warranty.
Microwave warranties are somewhat confusing and may not cover the entirety of the door, depending on the issue.
You can purchase specialized appliance warranty insurance, but these might not cover everything. Check the fine print and analyze the offer before purchasing your microwave and any additional insurance.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Microwave Door Latch?
Microwave door latches can cost up to $150 to replace with a professional. However, if you want to do the repair work yourself, you can save some money. Microwave door latch replacements can be purchased online for below $20.00 on average.
The price to replace your microwave latch varies per brand. However, most common brands such as Frigidaire and Samsung cost a mere $15.00-$25.00 online at Amazon, Home Depot, and Walmart.
To repair your own microwave door latch, you should:
- Buy the replacement part
- Unplug your microwave
- Remove the internal cover of the door latch
- Remove the broken door latch
- Replace with the new latch
- Reinstall the plastic or rubber cover
- Check to make sure it holds shut when closed
If you would like to see a tutorial on how to do this yourself, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaFP8JrgUlc
The creator shows you how to remove the plastic cover and safely remove the latch. Always unplug your microwave when working on it to avoid the chance of shock.
However, if you choose to hire a repairmen you can expect to pay much more. Microwave and appliance repairmen cost between $50-$100 per hour.
While replacing a microwave latch should only take thirty minutes or so for an expert, this adds up quickly. Although, if you do not feel comfortable repairing this by yourself, there is no shame in hiring an expert.
Is It Worth Fixing a Microwave Oven?
It may be worth repairing your microwave if the cost and effort is less than buying a new microwave. Microwaves can cost anywhere between $120.00-$450.00, depending on the brand and capabilities. However, repairs can cost close to the same when you hire an expert.
Some microwave oven repairs are cheap and simple. Replacing the internal light, the spinning plate, or other small parts are simple and require virtually no expertise. However, some repairs can cost nearly the same amount as a new microwave.
The average cost for repair is between $50.00-$450.00. Therefore, if the cost is less than the cost of a new microwave, then hiring an expert is not a bad idea. The repair can also be worthwhile if you believe you can get a few more years out of your machine.
However, if you’re planning on doing the repairs yourself, then you can save a significant amount of money. This is definitely the best route to take if you want to save money.
But, if the repair requires a lot of specialized tools, parts, and time, then the repair might not be worth it.
It all comes down to balance. If the repairs are not too inconvenient and you will save money in the end, then they are worth it. But if you’re spending the same for a repair as a new microwave, you are better off getting a new one. This will also guarantee a longer life span for your machine for the same cost!