Microwave Door Sagging? Here’s How to Fix It

If you’ve noticed your microwave door sagging, you might be thinking it is time to purchase a replacement. Although you must ensure the door closes firmly to keep in microwave radiation, don’t buy a new microwave until you’ve tried some DIY solutions. Fixing a sagging microwave door may be easier than you think, and it’s a simple way to get a few more years out of your appliance. 

What Causes A Sagging Microwave Door?

A few different factors can cause microwave doors to sag, but it is more common in older microwaves that have been subjected to heavy use. Things that can contribute to door sagging include:

• Bumps or knocks on the microwave door.
• Storing items on top of the microwave that put weight on the door. 
• Manufacturing or installation errors. 
• Continuous heavy use.

Why Proper Microwave Door Alignment Is So Important

Microwaves cook using radiation, which vibrates molecules in your food and causes them to heat up. The door and outer shell of a microwave are specially engineered to prevent radiation from escaping, as this can pose health risks. If your microwave door is sagging, it can create a gap for radiation to leak out, which can be dangerous for your health. 

In addition, a sagging door means that heat escapes during the cooking process, making heating less efficient and causing your microwave to work harder to heat your food. In some cases, your microwave may not function at all with a sagging door, as the control board will register that the door is open and prevent the cooking process from starting. 

Identifying The Source Of The Sagging

To help you identify the cause of the sagging door, carefully inspect the entire door and all the components.

• Carefully check the door hinges – open and close the door, and check to see if the door feels loose or wobbly. If it feels loose, the screws may need tightening. 
• Listen for scraping or squeaking noises as you open and close the door – the hinges may be faulty and need replacing. 
• Check the door latch and see if the latch engages properly when you close the door. 
• Check the door itself to see if the entire thing appears warped or damaged. The entire door may need to be replaced if the damage is severe. 

Tightening The Door Screws

If the door seems loose or wobbly, we recommend starting by tightening the door screws. To do this:

• Cut power to your microwave. 
• Open the microwave door and locate the door screws. You may have to remove an internal panel to gain access – check your microwave manual if you are having trouble locating them. 
• Once you have access to the screws and hinges, use a screwdriver to tighten the screws. 
• Check to see if the door now closes properly. You may need to loosen the screws a little to ensure the correct tension. 
• If you aren’t able to get the correct alignment just by tightening the screws, you may have an issue with the hinges or the door latch. 

Replacing The Door Hinges

If the door hinges look to be damaged or bent, or if tightening the screws did not fix the alignment issues, your next step should be to replace the hinges. 

• Disconnect your microwave from the power source. 
• Locate the hinges as above. 
• Source some replacement hinges, ensuring they are compatible with your microwave. 
• Unscrew and remove the faulty hinges. 
• Put the replacement hinges in place, and screw them firmly into position. 
• As above, you may need to adjust the tightness of the screws to ensure your door has the optimal tension. 
• Open and close your microwave to make sure the door is no longer sagging. 

Replacing The Door Latch

A faulty door latch will make your door appear to sag when it is closed, although it may appear fine when the door is open. It can also prevent your microwave from functioning, as it may register the door as being open even when it appears closed. 

• Before replacing your door latch, carefully check to ensure the door latch isn’t simply stuck or obstructed. 
• If you see any debris or grime that is obstructing the latch, thoroughly clean it with a microfiber cloth and a mild detergent, then test to see if the door is shutting properly. 

If cleaning doesn’t fix the issue, the door latch will need to be replaced. 

• Source a replacement door latch, ensuring it is the right part for your particular microwave make and model. 
• Cut power to your microwave. 
• Referring to your microwave manual, remove the faulty latch, ensuring you pay attention to how the latch is connected to the wiring. 
• Put the new latch into place. 
• Put all the components of the microwave back together, then restore power to your microwave. 

Replacing The Entire Door

If your entire microwave door is damaged, you may prefer to replace this instead of just the latch or hinge component. If you’re able to source a high-quality second-hand part, this can be a cheaper option than replacing the latch only. 

• Source a replacement door from a second-hand appliance parts retailer. Make sure it matches the make and model of your microwave. 
• Cut power to your microwave and remove the faulty door. Refer to your manual for information on how to do this if you’re having trouble. You may need to remove a panel to gain access to the hinge screws. 
• Take note of how the wiring connections fit when removing the old door – we recommend taking a picture to help you install the new one. 
• Put the new door in place, and secure the screws and wiring connections. 
• Replace any panels that you removed, then restore power to your microwave. 
• Run a test cycle to ensure that your microwave is functioning as normal.