Love that more and more people are using this video to fix their microwave. I'm not a pro fix it guy (and yes it is a 9 year old running the camera), but just a person who uses you tube videos ALL THE TIME to fix stuff that my 4 kids seem to break. I had this problem and did not find a video for a fix so I decided to make one. If you come across a problem that you can fix which is not on you tube add the video and pass it on!
Perfect! The hinge part is exactly what I needed... Bottom hinge was bent down, not allowing the top to line up. Figured I was overthinking the repair! You're awesome! Thank you very much!
Thank you, thank you. Thank you! I've never owned or used a rivet gun, but for an $18 item you saved me replacing a couoke hundred dollar microwave! Very much appreciated !
Duuuuuude. You are my hero! My hinges busted like TWO YEARS ago. Called an appliance repairman and he told me it couldn't be fixed and I'd have to buy a new microwave. I actually looked for a new microwave, but I couldn't find anything I liked as well, so I've just been living with this busted door for two years. Finally googled the problem to see if anyone had a solution and found this video right away. Bought the riveter kit at Harbor Freight for just under $5 and it included an assortment of rivets and everything. 5 minutes later (both hinges were busted) and my microwave is good as new! You seriously saved the day. Thank you so much for sharing this super easy fix!
OMG!!! Thanks for posting this video! It saved me $500 for a replacement that would not have matched my oven. I was also about to ompletely uninstall my MW and then open up the case to see how to fix the hinge. Your video was a lifesaver!! Thanks again!!
Thanks for the vid! My micro had this exact problem and was even the same model you worked on... A little fine tune to the hole with a 3/16 drill bit and the rivet went in without a hitch... Wife IS disappointed I didn't buy her a new unit, but heck NOW I have a couple hundred extra dollars to spend on her upcoming birthday!
Love it, that fix was genius!! I was searching how to take the front off, as I was hoping I could use pop rivet in that hole, but could not confirm. That was the greatest 3 minutes spent! Thank you!
I need to put a picture of you on my mantel! That was an awesome fix. I've been pouring over diagrams for the right fastener to use, and not finding any. To further the frustration, many DIY parts re-sellers have many screws that go to my microwave - with no information on what it is that they may fasten! This solved the problem!!!
Thank you! We were convinced we would have to buy a new microwave. I couldn't get 5/32" rivets, so I enlarged the hole just a little and used a 3/16" rivet. Best wishes.
Exactly what we needed! We were trying to figure out how to get a bolt inside there so we could screw it tight, didn't even think about a rivet! Thanks so much!
Glad this was helpful to so many. And thanks to those giving out rivet size info, I failed to do that in the video. As my kids got older and started using the microwave they would pull down a little on the door when they open and closed, which I am sure why mine broke. The rivets have held up perfectly so far.
I had the same dilemma and was dreading calling a repair guy. Picked up a riveter and rivets at harbor freight for $5, took 2 min to pop off the door and get it fixed. Thank you!
Tom Henry. I have gone over a year and a half with that problem! Had a service company come by and they told me it was unfixable!! Wanted to sell me a new one for $600.00. Tld them no thank you. Your suggestion work like a charm!! KOODOO's
I had this problem, too. The online parts diagrams were not clear at all on the hinge area. I was about to dismantle the bottom and see what could be done to replace or repair it. You saved me the time & effort. THANKS!!!
I would like to thank you for posting this very helpful video. Our Frigidaire Professional Series microwave door hinge weld broke. We were going to purchase a new microwave until we saw your video. Instead of using a rivet, I used a short sheet metal screw that worked perfectly. Thanks to you, we saved nearly $500. I now subscribe to your channel. Gratefully, Ed and Deb
Thank you for this video. My wife and I thought we were going to have to buy and install a new Microwave. When we saw your video we decided to purchase a rivet tool and a pack of rivets. Your technique worked very well. We used a 1/8 inch rivet in the top hole and a 5/32 in the bottom.
Nice Solution! My lower hinge has a broken spot weld so the door drops after being opened 1/2 way. I ordered a rivet gun with a rivet size assortment. Thank you for the video and also to those that pointed out the lower hinge needs a 5/32 'nd sized rivet. Perhaps this information can be added to the description? I will update with how the repair goes after I receive the rivet gun and rivets.
Thank you this was just what I was looking for. In my case the upper hole was slightly smaller than the lower one. I used 1/8" rivets which secured the top very well though not as tight on the lower. 3/16" was a little too big so maybe I'll try a 5/32" if it gets loose again. But for now the door works well, thanks much!
OMG - you are a genius! Our microwave broke while cooking Christmas dinner, and I was worried when I saw the spot welds had broke just like in the video. Thankfully - I picked up a pop rivet gun at Harbor Freight a few years ago on the chance I *Might* need one at some point! Whew! Thanks again, dude!
Thank you for the video. We had exactly this problem. The pop rivet gun idea was awesome solution. I always wanted one but had no need. Now I get to go buy one. ETA: We just finished fixing it. 1. 3/16 x 1/4 inch aluminum rivet worked fine 2. Lowes was out of the 3/16 x 1/4 inch, I bought 3/16 x 1/8 but stopped at an Autozone and got an assortment that included 3/16 x 1/4 inch on way home 3. We bought an Arrow pop rivet tool. It seemed to slip a bit, The rivet pull shaft eventually broke but at about 3/4 inch behind the rivet. I hack sawed it off 4. Many things I didn't know about pop rivet lore before i started this but the biggest was the first dimension is the diameter of rivet and the second dimension is the maximum thickness of the materials to be joined. I measured the thickness to be joined as a bit more that 1/8 inch but the 1/8 inch rivets would probably have worked. 5. Getting the door off was simple but I"m not sure without this video I would have figured it out. 6. I did have to drill the hole out to slightly more the 3/16 (I wiggled the 3/16 bit) Opinion1: welding these hinges to the thin sheet metal was guaranteed to fail. A bit surprising that something that seems as well built as this microwave would include something so poorly done. Opinion 2: It would be nice if Lowes got there stuff together and stopped being out of so many items. But that has been a Lowes problem for a really long time and the pandemic doesn't seem to be helping.
I was looking for a video on how to pull the lower cover and door off. I'm so happy for your video. Was planning on using a machine screw and nut. Thanks to you, it was just a run to the garage for the rivet gun and a two minute fix!! THANK YOU :)
I didn't realize both the bottom and top were broken and accidentally pushed in the top still holding on to the bottom piece- so I secured a nail in the bottom to hold it and removed the bottom panel under microwave to see the area to the left to see if I could realign. Unbeknownst the top and bottom is one piece and I was able to realign the top back out the slit 👌.. Lowes only had 2 fastener sizes and Home Depot had an inbetween ----Google the difference sizes to see what you may need - hardware stores are another resource ---THANKS FOR THE POSTING
Where is the donate button? This is brilliant, this video literally made the development of the Internet itself worth it. Followed the steps, saved $, very grateful - thank you!!!
This is a great video. I got a $4.99 riveter from Harbor Freight. I had the exact same microwave in the video. The 5/32" rivet worked perfectly. Thank you again!
This was so perfect. Thank you for posting! I have the same model with the same issue. It is good as new now. Also, I loved hearing the kids in the background.
Ty it’s been broke for years. It took a while to get used to the rivet gun. It also took two different sizes on the top and bottom but it works now thank you so much
This is the reply I just gave to Karen P's comment below from about 2 months ago regarding POSSIBLE DANGEROUS RADIATION LEAK being caused by the rivet fix unless the rivets are ground down flush against the frame wall to which they are attached: "Thank you so much for the radiation leak info. Only the bottom hinge spot weld broke on our same type of microwave yesterday. After watching three separate videos with this same rivet fix, I noticed this comment & opted not to use rivets or screws. Ended up firmly wedging a shim under the bottom hinge between it & the frame of the microwave, none of which touches the door whether it's opened or closed, i.e., no chance to cause a radiation leak. Seems to work quite well. If it ends up not working, I will use a screw with a flat head that ends up flush against the metal to which the hinge is attached so it will not damage the door or cause any rad. leak. I think everyone should be made aware or the radiation leak possibility. Wireless radiation is already causing myriad health issues (along with radiation already coming out of microwaves) so we don't need any more of it."
Yes this worked! Both the top and bottom were broken on my door! On the bottom, I had to use a larger rivet as the hole was stretched out I think because it had been sagging for so long.
FYI, I went to four hardware stores yesterday (4/16/2020) and NONE had 5/32 rivets. In fact, Lowe's and Home Depot had, by FAR, worse selections of sizes and varieties of rivets than my local Aubuchon! Kudos Aubuchon Hardware, but they still didn't have 5/32 size rivets! So, before you go driving around looking, just order them from Amazon.
Help! This is an awesome fix, that my microwave needs asap, but I'm confused. What does the rivit attach to? My microwave hinge is solid, there's no hole to put rivit through.
What if you don’t have a pop rivet gun? I’ll figure it out or may need to buy one if it fixes the problem on my Frigidaire. Thank you for posting this, really helpful.
Something within my GE microwave door is broken/ loose, not the metal brackets like yours. Any suggestions? Mine also does not have the little pop-off plastic piece on the door…
Oh no. I don’t have a tested way.... but just looking at it if it is on the bottom plate in the front it looks like there are 3 screws in the front. I would start there and see if it folds down to access. If not keep feeling around for the next screw to take it off. Good luck. It’s a great microwave other than this door problem. We haven’t had any problem since this fix so yes I would hate to throw it out also.
If you don’t have a rivet gun go buy one... I took mine off... took it apart to put screws in... and would go buy 2 rivet guns to not have to do it again!
I did this fix and had to grind down the rivet heads because it created a radiation "leak", because the rivethead it NOT flat..The door is supposed to lay flat..Look at the door edge, hinge side, when you are running the micro. if you see light it is leaking radiation.
Thank you so much for the radiation leak info. Only the bottom hinge spot weld broke on our same type of microwave yesterday. After watching three separate videos with this same rivet fix, I noticed this comment & opted not to use rivets or screws. Ended up firmly wedging a shim under the bottom hinge between it & the frame of the microwave, none of which touches the door whether it's opened or closed, i.e., no chance to cause a radiation leak. Seems to work quite well. If it ends up not working, I will use a screw with a flat head that ends up flush against the metal to which the hinge is attached so it will not damage the door or cause any rad. leak. I think everyone should be made aware or the radiation leak possibility. Wireless radiation is already causing myriad health issues (along with radiation already coming out of microwaves) so we don't need any more of it.
Pop Rivit heads are flat. They are flatter than how it comes from the factory. And how the door pivots they do not effect the seal at all. If you see light from side of door then you have bigger problems than just a broken hinge. Warped door? The door will close and seal nicely with this fix.
