How old is my microwave?
Date your microwave
The label is on the back of the cabinet on a countertop model, which usually means turning it around. On an over-the-range model it is on the underside, visible when you stand under it and look up, or inside the door frame. Built-in models often put it inside the door opening.
Microwaves typically last 7 to 10 years, which is shorter than anything else in the kitchen. The magnetron is the component that defines the life of the appliance, and when it goes the repair cost is usually a large fraction of a replacement — particularly for countertop models, where new units are inexpensive.
This is the one appliance where the safety warning is not boilerplate. A microwave's high-voltage capacitor can hold a lethal charge long after the appliance has been unplugged, sometimes for days. There is no safe amateur repair inside a microwave case. If a microwave is faulty, it is either a job for a technician or a job for the recycling centre.
Over-the-range models are worth treating differently from countertop ones. They cost considerably more, they are integrated into the kitchen, and their non-magnetron failures — door switches, control boards, vent fans — are often worth repairing. A countertop microwave with a dead magnetron almost never is.
Where to find the label on a microwave
Work through these in order — the first two cover the large majority of models.
- 1Countertop: turn the unit around and look at the back panel.
- 2Over-the-range: stand underneath and look up at the base, or open the door and check the frame.
- 3Built-in: open the door and check the frame around the opening.
- 4Do not remove the outer case to look for a label.
Manufacturers we support for microwaves
Only brands with a source-backed rule for this category are listed.
Typical service life
Microwaves commonly remain in service for roughly 7 to 10 years. Maintenance, how hard it is used, water quality and build quality all move that figure considerably in both directions.
This is a typical range, not a prediction. Plenty of appliances run well past it, and a small number fail early. Nothing here says your appliance is about to break.
Date-code limitations for this category
- Many microwaves are built by a different manufacturer from the brand on the front, particularly at the value end.
- Kenmore microwaves need the model prefix — several were built by Panasonic, Sharp or Galanz, none of which we currently decode.
- GE microwaves reuse the year letter every twelve years.
- Over-the-range models installed with a kitchen may be several months older than the installation date.
Common questions
- How long do microwaves last?
- Typically 7 to 10 years, the shortest of any major kitchen appliance. The magnetron is usually what determines the end of its life.
- Can I repair a microwave myself?
- No. The high-voltage capacitor inside can hold a lethal charge long after the appliance is unplugged. Never remove the outer case. A faulty microwave is a job for a qualified technician or for disposal.
- Is it worth repairing a microwave?
- For an over-the-range or built-in model, often yes — door switches, control boards and fans are all serviceable and the replacement cost is high. For a countertop model, rarely: a magnetron replacement usually costs a large share of a new unit.