How to Repair a Microwave Door that Won’t Open

Microwaves are one of the most used appliances people have in their homes. Sometimes they can malfunction, which requires them to be repaired or in some situations replaced.

One of the main problems people have with their microwaves is when the door won’t open. When this happens, you are unable to use your microwave and might end up with food trapped in it.

Thankfully, fixing a stuck microwave door is usually quite straightforward, and even if it is due to a faulty component, it can be replaced easily if you know how to do it yourself.

In this article, we will discuss the main reasons why your microwave door might not open and how you can fix them.

Stuck Connection

The best place to start is to check that the connection isn’t stuck. Sometimes something can get stuck in the door latch area, which causes the door to not be able to open when you push the button or when you try and pull the door open.

You can check if this is the cause by trying to pull the door open directly at the same time that you push the open button. If this works, then you will have to remove whatever foreign object was causing the problem before shutting the door. If this doesn’t work, move on to checking the next component.

Faulty Door Button

If your microwave has a door button that you press to open the door, it can become faulty and not open the door when you want it to. If you have a microwave with a handle that you pull to open the door, move on to checking the next component.

To check the door button, you need to:

1. Test the resistance of the button. If it doesn’t feel like it normally does, then this is a good sign something is wrong with it. For example, there should be some resistance when you press the button. If there is no resistance, this indicates the button has disconnected from the door mechanism. If the button doesn’t go fully in, the connection may be faulty. If the button makes a clicking noise when you push it in, this could mean the button is not connecting with the door release mechanism.
2. If any of those things happen, you will need to repair or replace the button. To do that, you need to start by turning the power off to the microwave.
3. Remove the control panel (check your manual if necessary).
4. Locate the door button and then inspect it for signs of damage and/or lose components.
5. If you find any damage, the damaged parts will need to be replaced.
6. Once replaced, check to see if the door now opens. If not, check the next component.

Faulty Door Latch Lever

The next component to check is the door latch lever. The purpose of this part is to release the microwave door when you press the door button. It also ensures your microwave door doesn’t open when it is operating. The latch is a small plastic component, so it is quite fragile and thus can sometimes break or become defective.

Here’s how to check the door latch lever:

1. Turn the power off to the microwave if you haven’t already.
2. Remove the control panel if you haven’t already (check your manual if necessary).
3. Locate the door latch lever.
4. Inspect it for signs of damage and if it is stuck.
5. If damaged or stuck, it will need to be replaced.
6. Once replaced, check to see if the door now opens and closes properly. If not, move on to checking the next component.

Faulty Door Spring, Hinges, and Door-Side Latch

The final components to check are in your microwave door. The door hinges, spring (if your microwave has one), and the door-side latch all help to open the door after you press the door button. If any of these components break or become faulty, your door might not be able to open.

Here’s how to check these components:

1. Turn the microwave power off if you haven’t already.
2. Remove the microwave door. This can be done by taking the internal panel of the door off and then releasing the hinges (if you’re unsure, check your user manual).
3. Once the door is removed, carefully inspect each of the components for signs of wear and tear or if they are broken.
4. If you find any of the components are defective, you will need to replace them.
5. Once replaced, reattach your microwave door and check if the problem has been solved.
6. Hopefully, at this point, your microwave door is now opening and closing correctly!