Parts reference
Microwave parts
Microwaves split hard into two categories. Turntables, filters, lamps and door switches are cheap, quick jobs. Anything on the high-voltage side — magnetron, diode, capacitor — sits behind a capacitor that stores a lethal charge after the unit is unplugged, and on a countertop unit the repair rarely beats a new machine.
- Parts priced
- 9
- Price band
- $5–$220
- Suppliers stocking
- 5
- Repair guides
- 10
Find your microwave model number first
No supplier can sell you the right part without it, and the name printed on the front of the appliance is not it.
On the back or side of the cabinet (countertop)
Turn the unit round. The tag is usually a foil label on the rear sheet metal or the right-hand side.
Inside the door frame (over-the-range)
Open the door and look at the front frame behind it, on the left or right edge of the opening.
Behind the bottom vent grille (over-the-range)
The grease filters pull out from underneath; the tag is often on the underside of the cabinet next to them.
What the tag looks like
Usually 8 to 12 characters. On over-the-range units, note the mounting-plate part number too if you are replacing the whole unit — the wall bracket differs between brands and is not interchangeable.
What fails on a microwave
Ordered most-replaced first. Prices are typical retail ranges for the part alone — not quotes, and not including labour. Confirm the part against your model number before you order.
| Part | What you notice | Install | Typical price | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door interlock switch set | Nothing happens when you press start, or the unit trips the breaker when the door opens. | moderate45–90 minutes | $10–$40Buy OEM | 8–14 years |
| Turntable motor | Plate sits still while the microwave heats, so food cooks in stripes. | easy30–45 minutes | $15–$50Aftermarket is fine | 8–12 years |
| Turntable coupler and roller ring | Plate wobbles, sticks, or turns in fits. | easy5 minutes | $8–$30Aftermarket is fine | 5–10 years |
| Grease and charcoal filters (over-the-range) | Kitchen stays smoky and the fan sounds like it is working much harder than it used to. | easy5 minutes | $12–$45Either works | Grease: wash monthly. Charcoal: 6–12 months |
| Cavity lamp or socket | Interior light out while everything else works. | easy20–40 minutes | $5–$25Aftermarket is fine | 3–8 years |
| Vent fan motor (over-the-range) | Extractor fan will not run, or runs on one speed only. | moderate1–2 hours | $40–$140Either works | 8–14 years |
| Control board or touchpad | Dead or partial keypad, phantom presses, or a display that scrambles. | moderate1–2 hours | $50–$220Buy OEM | 8–14 years |
| Magnetron | Unit runs, turntable turns, light is on, and nothing gets hot. | advanced2–3 hours | $55–$190Buy OEM | 8–12 years |
| High-voltage diode and capacitor | No heat, sometimes with a loud hum or a blown fuse. | advanced1–2 hours | $10–$60Either works | 8–14 years |
Easy · 4
Moderate · 3
Advanced · 2
4 of these 9 parts need nothing more than a screwdriver. Before you accept a repair quote on a microwave, it is worth knowing which tier the part sits in — the labour is usually the larger half of the bill.
OEM or aftermarket for a microwave
Paying OEM for everything is waste. Saving on the wrong part costs you the repair twice.
Turntable motors, couplers, lamps and grease filters are commodity parts that are fine aftermarket. Door interlock switches are worth OEM: they are a safety chain that stops the magnetron with the door open, and there is no upside to saving four dollars on one. Anyone quoting a magnetron replacement on a countertop microwave is quoting more than the machine is worth.
- Buy OEM on this appliance
- Door interlock switch set, Control board or touchpad, Magnetron
- Aftermarket is fine
- Turntable motor, Turntable coupler and roller ring, Cavity lamp or socket
- Either works — buy on price
- Grease and charcoal filters, Vent fan motor, High-voltage diode and capacitor
- Still under warranty?
- Call the manufacturer before you buy anything. A covered repair costs nothing, and fitting a part yourself first can complicate the claim.
Where to buy microwave parts
Shipping and returns are the terms each supplier publishes; where none is stated, we say so rather than guess. We are not affiliated with any of them and earn nothing from these listings.
| Supplier | Shipping | Returns | Part finder |
|---|---|---|---|
| PartSelectpartselect.com1-888-738-4871 | Free over $49 | 365 days | Model number search |
| RepairClinicrepairclinic.com1-800-269-2609 | Not listed | 365 days | Symptom-based finder |
| Appliance Parts Prosappliancepartspros.com1-877-477-7278 | Same-day dispatch | Not listed | Parts diagrams by model |
| Sears Parts Directsearspartsdirect.com1-800-252-1698 | Not listed | Not listed | Model lookup with exploded diagrams |
| Amazon Appliance Partsamazon.com1-888-280-4331 | Prime next-day | Easy returns, no window stated | Keyword search and reviews |
Guides that use these parts
Tools, safety warnings and the steps in order, before you spend anything.
advanced
Microwave Runs But Doesn't Heat
easy
Microwave Sparking Inside
easy
Microwave Turntable Not Turning
advanced
Microwave Door Won't Close or Latch
advanced
Microwave Keypad Not Responding
moderate
Over-the-Range Microwave Vent Fan Not Working
moderate
Microwave Light Not Working
moderate
Microwave Heating Unevenly
advanced
Microwave Shuts Off Mid-Cycle
moderate
Microwave Making a Loud Noise
Next steps
Not sure the microwave is worth the part?
Check what it is still worth before you spend. The Appliance Blue Book takes its age, brand tier and condition and tells you whether a repair still makes sense — or points you at someone local who can quote the job properly.