Almost every modern home has a microwave at home. While microwaves are convenient and easy to use, their light bulbs can burn out either due to high use or being replaced with poor-quality ones.
This problem can occur anytime, so it's important to learn how to replace microwave light bulbs.
Step by Step process of Changing the Light Bulb in your Microwave
A microwave light bulb comes as a part of a microwave when you buy it. The main job of the bulb is to provide you with a working environment that will make cooking easy for you.
After some time, these bulbs can start to give problems; you may experience dim light or flickering. In short, the life of these bulbs can come to an end. If the light bulb gets damaged, then you need to replace it.
Step 1: Prepare The Tools You Will Need
First, you need to gather the tools that you will need to change the microwave light bulb. They are;
- You need a screwdriver
- A new light bulb
- Work gloves
- A dry towel/optional
There may be other tools required; however, these are the major ones needed for putting a new incandescent bulb.
Step 2; Unplug the Microwave
Unplug the microwave oven from its outlet or turn off its breaker switch. Make sure there is no power going to the unit during this procedure. You don't want to be electrocuted by sticking your hand inside and touching something when there's electricity flowing through it.
Do not forget to remove any accessories from your microwave, including racks, trays, grills, or pans, and place them in a safe location nearby where they will not be damaged during repair work. Lift the microwave and place it in a safe place.
Step 3; Remove the Microwave Oven Cover
Familiarize yourself with your range microwave and locate the mounting screws holding its cover. They can be located along its edges, outer corners, or anywhere else that could conceal screws.
Once you have removed all of these mounting screws, you should be able to lift off the cover. Carefully pull the cover and take note of how it was attached to the unit. Be careful not to break anything as you go.
Pulling too hard might damage the wire connections.
Step 4; Replacing the Incandescent Light Bulb
By now, you have a new microwave bulb that you bought in your local hardware store.
The manufacturer should be able to tell you what wattage matches what size so that you can make sure that it fits properly once installed into your unit.
Next, locate where the old light bulb is and remove it in order to replace it with a new one. This can be done by unscrewing a plate or removing screws that hold it in place.
Check your owner's manual for specific directions on how to do this, as each model of microwave has its own way of accessing light bulbs in different spots of the appliance.
Installing a New Microwave Light Bulb
After you've removed the old light bulb, screw in the new one according to the instructions on the package or in your owner's manual.
After you replace a bulb, carefully reattach the vent cover and restore power to your microwave before testing out whether or not it works properly as usual.
Calling a Technician
Thankfully microwave light bulbs can be replaced in most microwave ovens. However, call a technician if you don't feel comfortable replacing the bulb yourself. Many manufacturers recommend replacing light bulbs in microwaves only by a certified technician.
If a microwave has a power surge, the lighting capacitor inside the lamp housing may burst, sending shards of metal flying into other parts of the appliance. Replacing microwave light bulbs is not that complicated, but it's a good idea to have an experienced person on hand just in case.
Benefits of Replacing Burn Out Light Bulb
Every microwave comes with a light bulb. It's usually located at the top of the door, and it shines onto your microwave plate so you can see what is cooking; hence it is not there for decorative purposes.
The light is your only way of tracking how well your food is cooking. Your model might have come with a manual telling you how long to cook certain foods, but once you've tried a few different meals, you'll quickly realize that you need something more reliable. The LED light bulb shines down onto your food and helps you to know if it’s ready or not.
But what happens when the incandescent bulb burns out? Suddenly, you're left in the dark and unable to judge when your food is ready. A burnt meal isn't just unpalatable; it can also make you ill, which is why you need to replace the burned-out light bulbs.
The microwave light bulb also provides visibility hence preventing people from accidentally touching the hot interior walls of the oven.
Where to Buy Microwave Light Bulbs
The incandescent lamps of microwaves are cheap to buy. You can get them at any place that sells appliances, including appliance stores, department stores, and home improvement centers.
They come in different wattages. Make sure you get one that matches the wattage of your original bulb.
Is It Safe to Change a Microwave Bulb?
Yes, it is safe to change a microwave light bulb. However, you should only do so if you are comfortable changing light bulbs and have the necessary safety equipment.
Find the right replacement bulb first if you're replacing your microwave oven bulb yourself. You can either order one online or pick one up at your local hardware or home improvement store.
Keep children away from this project just in case something unexpected happens, such as shattering glass or an electrical shock from touching bare wires.
Wear Rubber Gloves to Protect Your Hands
Since you are going to be working with an open microwave, you will want to take precautions.
Wearing insulated gloves and using a face mask that covers both your mouth and nose are recommended. You will also want to unplug the microwave before replacing the bulb.
Read your Owner’s Manual
Read your owner's manual to see if there are any special instructions you need to know before changing the light bulb. Most microwaves will have a section in their owner's manual that tells you how to change the bulbs.
Place The Microwave On a Sturdy Surface
In order to change the incandescent bulb, unplug your microwave and place it on a sturdy surface, such as a countertop.
What Kind of Bulb Goes Under Microwave?
When you are putting a new light bulb for your range microwave, you will need to make sure it is compatible with it.
While there are many different types of bulbs, many microwaves ovens have the A15 glass shape and a screw base E26 bulb. It is important to remember that high heat bulbs are recommended for these types of appliances, such as halogen or incandescent bulbs.
For example, to help you get started on replacing the light bulb in your range microwave, find if the old bulb has a medium screw base with 5 watts. By knowing what kind of bulb is needed for a microwave, you'll be able to save time and money during the replacement process.
What Happens When the Microwave Light Goes Out?
When the microwave light goes out, you are completely in the dark. This is a common problem for microwaves. The light bulb can burn out or break, making it impossible to see inside the microwave while cooking.
You Cannot Cook in the Dark
The truth is; the microwave light isn't just decorative. It serves an important function; it lets you see inside the appliance as you're cooking. When that light goes out, you lose your ability to monitor what's happening inside your microwave oven.
If you try to use your microwave when the light is out, there are several things that could happen:
You cannot tell when your food has finished cooking. If you were able to see your food through a glass window in your microwave door, this wouldn't be a problem. But without a lightbulb or window, there's no way to know when it is ready or not.
You could burn yourself on the food when taking it out of the microwave.
You can solve this easily by simply keeping an extra light bulb on hand. They're inexpensive and very easy to replace. When it burns out, replace it immediately, so you don't have to go without your microwave for long.
Nonetheless, in case you actually need a new microwave oven, check out some of the different types of modern microwaves we reviewed earlier.
Best Convection Microwave
Convection ovens have great cooking power, a child safety lock to prevent accidental usage of the microwave, and different cooking levels. Like we mentioned before, choosing a convection microwave for your needs will be influenced by these 3 main factors - capacity, features for your budget, and your counter space.
Best Microwaves For Home Use
The more features you choose to have, the more expensive the microwave oven for home use would be. The good news is that you can choose to keep things very economical by simply going for a microwave oven with minimal features that meets the size and power requirements as stated earlier.
Best Simple And Basic Microwave Ovens
To reiterate this, a basic microwave oven, in our opinion is a small to midsize, non-inverter solo countertop microwave oven. Why? because a microwave such as this is easy to operate, is affordable, does not occupy much counterspace and is easy to install.
Best 1200 Watt Microwave Ovens
Most of the ovens in this category are quite expensive. This is generally due to two reasons: high powered microwave ovens are heavy duty and thus feature expensive components, secondly, they are very large. Some of the premium ovens in this power category though offer cutting edge technology, albeit at a higher cost.
Best Midsize Countertop Microwave
A midsize model is excellent for a regular family. The smaller models are generally reserved for offices, dorm rooms or garage like spaces. Larger microwave ovens are reserved for commercial spaces, so if you are have regular sized family or 4-5 members, then a midsize microwave oven would work perfectly for you.