Range Hood Repair
Range hood repair for weak suction, noisy blowers, dead lights and stuck fan switches on wall, island, insert and recirculating hoods.
See the repairCooking
Microwave repair in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley
When the microwave runs but leaves food cold, sparks, or the over-the-range fan quits, we test the high-voltage parts safely and repair countertop, built-in and over-the-range units across the Valley.
- Phone answered 24/7
- Office in Sun Valley
- Price before the work
$145 to $265 typical for door switch set and line fuse
Quick answer
Microwave repair means finding which part stopped the heating or control circuit: a door switch, line fuse, high-voltage diode, capacitor, magnetron or control board. Unplug the unit and do not open the cabinet, because the capacitor can hold a dangerous charge. Call us with the model number and what it does, and we give you an arrival window on the call and a price before any work starts.
We repair Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, LG, KitchenAid, Bosch, Sub-Zero, Wolf, Thermador and the other names found in Valley kitchens and laundry rooms.
WhirlpoolGESamsungLGFrigidaireKitchenAidMaytagBoschSub-ZeroWolfThermadorVikingKenmoreMiele
The short version
What fails inside a microwave and why it stops heating
A microwave carries the highest voltage of any appliance in the kitchen. The magnetron runs on thousands of volts supplied by a transformer, a capacitor and a diode. When one of those parts fails, the turntable spins and the light comes on, yet the food stays cold.
Other faults sit on the low-voltage side. Door interlock switches wear out, and one failed switch can blow the line fuse every time the door shuts. Touchpads stop reading keys, and control boards can lose the display after a power surge.
Over-the-range models also vent the cooktop below. Their exhaust fan motor, filters and lights add their own failures. We test each circuit with the cabinet discharged and name the failed part.
Parts and repairs
Microwave parts we test and replace
Every microwave repair starts with discharging the high-voltage capacitor and testing parts with a meter. Most failures trace to a short list of components. When a part is not on the van, we order it by model number.
- Door interlock switchesWe test the primary, secondary and monitor switches together, since replacing only one can leave the door circuit unsafe.
- Line fuse and thermal cutoffA blown fuse is a symptom, so we find the switch or short that blew it before fitting a new one.
- High-voltage diode and capacitorThese fail more often than the magnetron and cost less, so they are tested first on any no-heat call.
- MagnetronWhen the tube has an open filament or a shorted terminal, we replace it and confirm heat output with a timed water test.
- Touchpad and control boardWe check the membrane keys and the board relays separately to tell which one is at fault before ordering anything.
- Turntable motor and stirrerA seized or noisy turntable motor is a quick replacement on most countertop and over-the-range models.
- Waveguide coverA burned mica cover causes arcing. We replace it and clean the cavity wall around it.
- Over-the-range fan and lightsWe replace exhaust fan motors, light sockets, and the grease and charcoal filters on over-the-range units.
Los Angeles price ranges
What microwave repair usually costs in Los Angeles
Microwave prices depend on whether the unit sits on the counter, mounts over the range or is built into cabinetry. Over-the-range and built-in models take longer to pull down and reinstall. That extra handling adds labor.
| Repair | Typical range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Door switch set and line fuse | $145 to $265 | Number of switches and access on the model |
| High-voltage diode or capacitor | $165 to $295 | Countertop versus over-the-range removal |
| Magnetron replacement | $235 to $415 | Part price varies widely by brand |
| Touchpad or control board | $215 to $445 | Whether the touchpad is sold separately from the board |
| Over-the-range vent fan motor | $185 to $335 | Fan style and how the unit mounts |
Treat these as typical Los Angeles figures only. Your final price depends on the part and what the diagnosis finds, and you hear it before any work starts.
Step by step
How a microwave repair visit goes
Every visit follows the same order, so you always know what comes next and what it costs.
Phone call
Call any hour and tell us the brand, model number and what the microwave does. We set an arrival window on the call.
Safe discharge
The technician unplugs the unit, opens the cabinet and discharges the capacitor before touching anything inside.
Meter testing
Switches, fuse, diode, capacitor, transformer and magnetron are tested in order, and we show you the failed part.
Price and repair
You get the price before work starts, then we replace the part or order it by model number.
Test run
We heat a cup of water on a timer, check every key, and run the vent fan and lights on over-the-range models.
Symptoms
Signs your microwave needs a technician
- Runs but stays coldThe plate turns and the light is on, but a cup of water is still cold after a minute. This usually points to the diode, capacitor or magnetron.
- Sparks along the side wallFlashes near the side wall often come from a burned waveguide cover or chipped cavity paint. Stop using it until it is checked.
- Display dies when the door shutsIf the screen goes dark the moment the door closes, a door switch has likely failed and blown the internal line fuse.
- Keys stop respondingButtons that quit one at a time point to a worn membrane touchpad or a loose ribbon cable at the control board.
- Loud buzz while heatingA harsher hum than usual can mean a failing magnetron or a strained transformer. Grinding usually comes from the turntable motor.
- Vent fan or cooktop light outOn over-the-range units the exhaust fan stops pulling steam, or the underside lights stay dark, while the cooking side still works.
Here in the Valley
Over-the-range microwaves in hillside kitchens south of Ventura Blvd
Many hillside homes in Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino and Tarzana have tight kitchens. The microwave mounts over the range to save counter space. There it is also the only cooktop vent, and when its fan dies, steam and grease go straight into the upper cabinets.
Steep driveways and narrow stairs also shape the job. Pulling down an over-the-range unit is a two-person lift. When a swap looks likely, we bring the wall plate and bolts on the first visit.
Worth weighing
When to fix a microwave and when to replace it
A countertop microwave with a failed switch, fuse or diode is usually worth repairing. Once the magnetron or control board fails on a basic countertop unit, the repair can cost close to a new one. We will tell you that on the spot rather than sell the repair.
Over-the-range and built-in models change the math. A new unit has to fit the same cutout, wall plate and vent path, and installation adds cost. A magnetron or board repair often still makes sense.
Before you call
Safe microwave checks before you call
Safe checks only. If anything smells hot, sparks or involves gas, stop and call.
- Check the breaker and try a different outlet for a countertop model, but never open the cabinet.
- Heat one cup of water for one minute to confirm whether the unit heats at all.
- Look for food splatter or a burned spot on the side waveguide cover and wipe the cavity clean.
- Wash or replace the grease filters under an over-the-range unit if the fan feels weak.
- Make sure the door closes fully and nothing is caught in the latch area.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Where we handle microwave repair calls
Our Sun Valley office sends technicians across the Valley and the cities around it. These are the places we visit most for microwave repair.
- Sun Valley 91352
- North Hollywood 91601
- Valley Village 91607
- Studio City 91604
- Sherman Oaks 91403
- Van Nuys 91405
- Lake Balboa 91406
- Encino 91436
- Tarzana 91356
- Woodland Hills 91364
- West Hills 91307
- Northridge 91324
- Granada Hills 91344
- Porter Ranch 91326
- Chatsworth 91311
- Mission Hills 91345
- Sylmar 91342
- Sunland-Tujunga 91040
- Burbank 91505
- Glendale 91205
- Pasadena 91101
- La Cañada Flintridge 91011
- San Fernando 91340
- Santa Clarita 91355
- Calabasas 91302
- Simi Valley 93065
- Thousand Oaks 91360
Questions
Microwave Repair questions we hear in Los Angeles
Is it safe to open my microwave to look for the problem?
No. The high-voltage capacitor inside a microwave can hold a dangerous charge even after the unit is unplugged. Keep the cabinet closed, unplug it, and limit your checks to the breaker, the outlet and the door. Our technician discharges the capacitor with an insulated tool before testing any internal part.
Why does my microwave blow a fuse every time I close the door?
That pattern almost always means a failed door interlock switch. When the switches close out of sequence, the monitor switch shorts the circuit on purpose and blows the line fuse. We test all three switches together, replace the faulty ones, and then fit a new fuse.
Can an over-the-range microwave be repaired without taking it off the wall?
Some repairs can. Vent fan motors, lights, filters and some touchpads are reachable with the microwave in place. Magnetrons, diodes, capacitors and door switches usually mean lowering the unit to the counter, which takes two people.
Is a microwave that sparks still safe to use?
Stop using it until it is checked. Sparks often come from a burned waveguide cover, metal in the cavity, or peeling paint inside the oven. A cover replacement is a small repair, but running the microwave while it arcs can damage the magnetron and turn a small fix into a larger one.
Do you repair built-in and drawer microwaves in remodeled kitchens?
Yes. We repair built-in microwaves with trim kits and microwave drawers from brands such as Wolf, Thermador, Monogram and KitchenAid. Drawer units have their own door motor, gear track and latch, and we order those parts by model number.
How long does a microwave repair usually take?
Most countertop microwave repairs take under an hour once the part is on hand. Over-the-range units take longer because of removal and reinstallation. If a part has to be ordered, we finish the diagnosis, give you the price, and return when it arrives.
Also on our list
Related repairs
Oven Repair
Ovens that will not heat, bake unevenly or run hot. We test igniters, elements, sensors and controls on every oven type.
See the repairRange & Stove Repair
Freestanding and slide-in gas, electric and dual-fuel ranges with dead burners, clicking igniters or tipping risks. Repaired on site.
See the repairAppliance Installation
Kitchen appliance installation for ranges, wall ovens, cooktops, refrigerators, microwaves and dishwashers on your existing hookups.
See the repairSame-Day Appliance Repair
Same-day appliance repair when the schedule allows, with common parts on the van so many fixes finish on the first visit.
See the repairNeed microwave repair today?
Call now. We answer every hour of every day and will tell you what we will check first.