Appliance Repair in 08097 · Woodbury, Deptford & West Deptford

An over-the-range microwave does two jobs. It heats food and it acts as the range hood, with a fan and light underneath and grease filters that catch cooking vapor. Because it hangs over a hot cooktop, it takes more abuse than a countertop model, and its problems tend to cluster in a few places.

Grease filters that are never cleaned choke the vent fan and let grease reach the motor. The door switches that tell the microwave the door is shut wear out and cause the unit to stop mid-cycle or refuse to start. A turntable that stalls or a light that will not come on are minor fixes; a microwave that runs but does not heat usually means the magnetron, diode or high-voltage capacitor is involved.

That last group is not a do-it-yourself job. A microwave's high-voltage capacitor can hold a dangerous charge even after the unit is unplugged, and repairs inside the cabinet should be left to a technician. Over-the-range models are also heavy and bolted to a wall bracket and the cabinet above, so removing one takes two people. We will tell you honestly whether the repair is worth it compared with the cost of a replacement, and nothing is replaced without your approval.

Clear the cooktop under the microwave and the cabinet above it, since the mounting bolts are reached from inside that cabinet. Wash or remove the grease filters, and write down the model number from the label inside the door frame. If the microwave trips a breaker, note which one.