GE Microwave, Broken Door Handle Repair 

Lmao

What you do is remove the trim piece on the door. Then the door simply lifts off the hinges. Agree that Mr. Unconventional forgot how to show that.

@@qwertypoint3011 I show in separate video on my channel

245 dollars for a replacement GE microwave handle.

Lift the door and pull out

Awesome! That's what's it about.

If you see this…How did you finally get the metal frame out? Getting the door off and the plastic moulding was a breeze, but this is the part I’m stuck on. All the screws are out, but when I try to pop the metal frame out from the plastic tabs it doesn’t budge and the METAL bends.

Did you work around the perimeter?

If you’re referring to the handle peeling that’s the same problem we’re having. Taking the handle off and going to paint it. Hopefully that works. May be preemptive and use the drywall screws while at it….

Great! Glad to know it has helped someone.

Do you have the same microwave? If so what did you search up?

Glad to hear!

Ballin'

Awesome! Love hearing that!

Did you purchase the new one in store or online? My kids just broke mine. Smh

So glad to hear! Love to hear that folks are saving money and products through this channel. Thanks for the comment.

That's what I'm talking about! Glad to hear this has helped others 😃

Did the handle snap in half?

@@UnconventionalThinker No….the plastic inside the handle that the screw bites into broke. The microwave is only 5 years old….certainly unexpected.

@@demondreed4769 yeah, ours broke after the first year, seems to be a consistent issue for most people on the GE microwaves.

Yeah mine broke under warranty, they sent me an entire new door, but I kept the repair in place as it held really well

Booom! That's what I'm talking about. Glad to know it helps.

Yeah the first time that I took the panel apart, it took me a while to figure out what was holding everything in place

Truth!

Great to hear!

Thanks! Haha my jobs are totally random just usually try to grab the phone and run with it. Got some other videos in the queue... Upholstery of some of my kitchen chairs

Good idea. I was considering other handle options beyond OEM parts.

Great to hear! But sad their newer model handles are breaking still

I feel your pain brother, unfortunately I find all the brands tend to be the same... little engineering....

Lol, it's been very disheartening considering how much these things cost. We went through two water valves on our fridge in two years. I called GE expressed my disappointment to the quality folks and they offered to repair the fridge and replace the valve. I told them that it would likely happen again in a year, so they cut me a $100 check and we bought a Berkey Water Filter and cut the water off from the fridge.

I think it is a quality issue with many of the modern appliances. I’ve had issues with LG, Bosch, and GE.

Did you get yours from an actual appliance store or were they from Home Depot or Lowe's?

Were did you find your door handle at?

@@user-wh3wy4su2q Lowe’s

Haha. Sorry to hear. I find more and more I'm losing faith in these folks who are contracted to come out and "fix" it. I find they sometimes cause more damage than legitimately fix the issue. In my case they sent me a brand new door under warranty, I decided to try this fix first and save the door for a rainy day

I had a hard time too, but it actually will drop into the holes if you allign them correctly.

Love to hear it

Unfortunately quick trends and consumerism is king....

I used the broken one. No new handle.

Take a picture of the QR code inside the door of the microwave and it'll take you directly to the site

That I'm not sure of

What blows my mind is I would be willing to pay $5 more for higher quality components that tend to break on these microwaves

Great! That's my goal with my videos. For mine at the top hinge on the door there is a plastic "tab" that I had to push in in order for it to clear the metal portion on the microwave where the door slides into. When I push that tab and push the door up it's able to clear the metallic hinge portion on the microwave itself. I hope that helps if you have any more questions let me know

@@UnconventionalThinker Thanks again! It’s all fixed, and my wife thinks I’m an expert. One hint for the next guy: use a magnetic Phillips screwdriver to replace the screws into the frame. For my hinges, I had to remove the top/front of the vent over the door. It runs the width of the microwave, but only has one screw and came right out. The handle still had the screw firmly in place, but the cheap plastic strip it was mounted through was shattered. I was able to glue a flat piece down as a base, and secure the screw head with a washer.

You can if you're able to remove the trim. On my door it's possible to do that, but it's pretty easy to remove the door

@@UnconventionalThinker thank you

I have another video of that on my channel.

Lol

Unfortunately tried to look up the part number and there doesn't seem to be any handle options. If there's no way to bite into plastic with a screw not sure how to help

Looks like you found the other video 😀. Hope this gets you fixed

If you look at the top hinge you should see on the door itself. There is like a black tab that you want to put in so that it clears the hinge and then you should be able to lift the door up off the hinges once that tab has cleared the hinge itself

Are you referring to metal part as the metal frame within the door? Have you seen the schematics of your door assembly on reliableparts.com that may help? There are these clip features on the door front where the glass resides that hold the metal frame to that door front. I found that I had to see what was holding that metal frame in place because it does appear on your door model there is maybe one or two screws that retain the metal frame to the plastic front once you've removed those I would imagine the clips are holding that metal frame in place so you'll have to locate those and try to move them as to release the frame

@@UnconventionalThinker I will definitely check that out. Thanks so much man!

@@UnconventionalThinker This was a big help. I was able to get it out and fix the handle. Thanks again!

@@benburckhalter8821 Great to hear, glad my videos help!

GE doesn't just sell the handle, you have to buy the entire door. However there are some off branded handles that can be found on Amazon

Haha I wish I knew the answer to that question. I will say there tends to be higher quality appliances when purchased from a local appliance store, as big box stores tend to work special products from all the appliance vendors and they use cheaper parts so that these stores can sell products for cheaper than a local appliance store.

@@UnconventionalThinker thanks man!! So I’m having the same problem. 1) door handle cracked same way yours did. And 2) the bottom face plate cracked and is hanging down… any special fix for this guy?

Sorry to hear, but that's a good idea.

Can you stick needle nose pliers in the front hole to fix the plastic so you can turn the screw?

@@UnconventionalThinker Thats what I thought about doing but I misplaced them. Luckily I was able to get it off with some kitchen shears. Appreciate the video though, it definitely helped!

@@newjts93 Awesome, glad to hear!

The only suggestion would be to look at how the door latch is contacting the microwave or to see if the latch mechanism has been damaged.

I feel your pain. For something that carries load I don't know why they decided to make it from the brittle plastic that they used. The only way I believe you can buy a new door is through GE. This is where I've gone in the past, you may want to check your model number as this is mine that I repair in the video. www.geapplianceparts.com/store/parts/ModelSectionParts/JNM3163RJ3SS/1/0/0/0/DOOR_PARTS

@@UnconventionalThinker Can't thank you enough for your kind and prompt reply; amid the chaotic world we now inhabit; my problem is a small thing . I saw a (stainless steel) handle for $64+ advertised , do you know who has that, please? Then perhaps I could get someone to follow your excellent instructions to just replace the handle instead of a new door. Many, many thanks for your help.

@@barbarabass3298 so I'm not sure if you have the same microwave model number. This can be found on the inside of the microwave. If you follow the link I sent earlier then type that model number into the search it should show you all the parts it can replace. Find the door assembly and look for the handle. For my microwave it was WB15X21101, currently it's sold out. However I found that Parts Dr. is selling the same handle here: partsdr.com/part/wb15x21101-door-handle-stainless-steel?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5-WRBhCKARIsAAId9FkakMgpszRuPsyDyvlNyCjOF8NEoWB1YhZWSghIAHVQrNCYWj4CBh8aAsSKEALw_wcB I have ordered from them in the past and they are a reputable site. If you are having problems finding your handle let me know and I can help if you can give me your microwave model number. Hope this helps

@@UnconventionalThinker Thank you again. My son ordered the black handle and I'll get it installed. Must say I DO like the oven itself, but just read where a guy was on his fourth (4 th!!!!!) handle!!?? What is GE doing over there? All for now, grateful for your video.

It's not necessary but found it easier to fix.

It's much easier to work on with the door off.

It's pretty easy to remove the door.......

I would not pay $129 for a replacement handle. There are cheaper handles on Amazon on have a link to a few in the video description. But check your model number.

@@UnconventionalThinker Got my GE replacement part from Amazon for $67. However, if mine breaks a second time, I will consider using the drywall screw into the broken handle similar to what you did. I am also going to keep my original broken handle as a backup.

Isn't the microwave cheaper than that?

If you go to my channel, under my description I have an email you can send me a picture to

No shame in preventing more from going there.

Truth! Do you know if they were Home Depot or Lowe's version? They tend to use cheaper parts vs. buying from a legitimate appliance store.

Dude I'm sorry about that. I really considered adding that portion in the video... should have. It took me a few originally when I first took the door off to figure out their tab design. Yes, I'm a fellow engineer and there are a few things in this design that are pretty bad but I doubt an engineer designed these things lol.

@@UnconventionalThinker take off the plastic trim first and it makes it easier to take the door on/off.

I have another video on my channel that shows that since folks had asked in the past

Hopefully you were able to fix it?