Repair or Replace a Microwave? A Buffalo Guide

The short answer

Start with the kind of microwave you own. A built-in, over-the-range, drawer or wall oven/microwave combination unit is usually worth repairing: a failed magnetron, door switch, control board or vent fan motor can normally be replaced, and a new unit typically costs far more than the repair. A basic countertop microwave usually is not: the service call plus parts can cost as much as a new microwave.

Our $99 service call fee covers the diagnosis. You get a quote for parts and labor before any work begins. A repair that would not make sense for the unit: we will say so rather than push it.

Over-the-range microwave mounted above a kitchen counter

Repair vs. replace at a glance

How repairing compares with replacing a microwave. Prices are never guessed: the repair side is quoted after diagnosis, the replace side is the price of a comparable new microwave.
Factor	Repair	Replace
Cost to find out	$99 service call, which covers the diagnosis.	The price of a comparable new microwave.
What the price is based on	The part that failed and the labor to replace it, quoted after diagnosis and before any work begins.	The model you choose: size, features and finish set the price, not the fault.
Installation and fit	A built-in, over-the-range or drawer microwave stays on its mounting plate or in its trim kit, with its venting and finish unchanged. When a repair needs the unit taken down, the technician removes and reinstalls it as part of the repair.	A new installed microwave has to match the cabinet cutout or mounting plate, the trim kit, the venting and often the finish of the range or wall oven beside it. A basic countertop model is simply swapped.
How many major parts have failed	One failed part on an otherwise sound microwave is a normal repair.	Several major components failing at the same time make a repair harder to justify.
Parts availability	A part we can get is a repair we can quote.	Parts that are discontinued or on a long backorder tip the decision toward replacing.
Warranty	60-day parts and labor warranty on the completed repair.	Whatever warranty comes with the new unit.

What to weigh before you decide

Installed or countertop. This is the main question. Built-in, over-the-range, drawer and combination units are matched to a cutout, a mounting plate, a trim kit and venting; a basic countertop model is not.
What failed. A magnetron, door switch, control board or vent fan motor can normally be replaced.
Which countertop model you have. Higher-end countertop and inverter models are worth a look; a basic countertop microwave usually is not, because the service call plus parts can cost as much as a new one.
The quote against the price of a comparable new microwave. You get a quote for parts and labor before any work begins.
Safety. Do not open the cabinet yourself: the high-voltage capacitor can hold a dangerous charge even after the microwave is unplugged.

Usually worth diagnosing and repairing

These are the microwaves and faults that are normally worth repairing.

Built-in, over-the-range, drawer and wall oven/microwave combination units: replacing one means matching the cabinet cutout or mounting plate, the trim kit, the venting and often the finish of the range or wall oven beside it, and a new unit typically costs far more than the repair.
A failed magnetron, door switch, control board or vent fan motor, which can normally be replaced.
A microwave that runs but does not heat, which usually has a fault in the high-voltage circuit. Stop using it until it has been checked.
Higher-end countertop and inverter models, which we do service.

When replacement may make more sense

A basic countertop microwave: when it fails, the service call plus parts can cost as much as a new microwave, so replacing it is normally the better value.
A repair that would not make sense for the unit: we will say so rather than push it.

Not sure which you have? Call with the model number before booking and we will help you decide. We service microwaves from GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, KitchenAid, Maytag and Panasonic; if you have a different brand, call with the model number and we will tell you whether we can help.

What it costs to find out

Microwave repair uses our standard residential pricing. The $99 service call covers the visit and a full diagnosis. Diagnostic fee waived when the repair is completed. You get a quote for parts and labor before any work begins, so you can decide whether the repair makes sense for your unit.

60-day parts & labor warranty

See microwave repair pricing on our microwave repair page. Book online and save $25 on a completed repair.

Ready to find out? Book online or call the number above, and read more about our microwave repair in Buffalo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a built-in or over-the-range microwave worth repairing?

In most cases, yes. Replacing an installed microwave means matching the cabinet cutout or mounting plate, the trim kit and the venting, and the new unit usually costs far more than the repair. A failed magnetron, door switch, control board or vent fan can normally be replaced and the microwave put back into service.

Should I repair a basic countertop microwave?

Usually not. For a basic countertop model, the service call plus parts can cost as much as a new microwave, so replacing it is normally the better value. We do service higher-end countertop and inverter models where a repair makes sense. If you are unsure, call with the model number before booking and we will help you decide.

What does it cost to find out whether my microwave can be repaired?

Microwave repair uses our standard residential pricing. The $99 service call covers the visit and diagnosis. Diagnostic fee waived when the repair is completed. You get a quote for parts and labor before any work begins, and booking online saves $25 on a completed repair.

Does the microwave have to come down for the repair?

Sometimes. Many repairs can be made with the microwave in place, while others require taking it off its mounting plate or out of its trim kit. When that is needed, the technician removes and reinstalls the unit as part of the repair.

My microwave runs but does not heat. Is that a repair or a replacement?

Stop using it until it has been checked. A microwave that runs without heating usually has a fault in the high-voltage circuit, such as the magnetron, high-voltage diode, capacitor or fuse. Do not open the cabinet yourself: the high-voltage capacitor can hold a dangerous charge even after the microwave is unplugged. Whether a repair makes sense depends on the unit, and we will say so either way.

Which microwave brands do you repair?

We service microwaves from GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, KitchenAid, Maytag and Panasonic. If you have a different brand, call with the model number and we will tell you whether we can help.

Repair or Replace a Microwave?