Microwave lifespan: how long does it last?
Microwave: 6 to 10 years on average, so around 8 years in normal household use. Regular maintenance routinely pushes past the top of that range.
A microwave oven lasts 6 to 10 years on average. Its key component, the magnetron, wears according to total running hours.
It is an appliance where repair often makes little sense: a new magnetron plus labour frequently approaches the price of an entry-level machine.
Signs it is reaching the end
- Food heats far less well than it used to at the same power
- Sparks appear inside the cavity
- An unusually loud hum accompanies operation
- The turntable no longer rotates
- The door doesn't close properly or its latch is broken (a safety risk)
The maintenance that extends its life
Clean the cavity and the inner roof
How often: every 1 to 2 weeks
Check the mica plate (right-hand wall of the cavity)
How often: every 6 months
Clean the door seal and its surround
How often: monthly
Never run it empty
How often: always
Repair or replace?
If the fault is the turntable or the mica plate, the repair is simple and cheap. A failing magnetron on an appliance over 6 years old generally justifies replacement. A microwave whose door no longer closes properly must be taken out of service immediately: it risks leaking radiation.
Having an out-of-warranty microwave repaired by a QualiRépar-certified repairer in France entitles you to 20€ taken straight off the invoice. No paperwork, nothing to pay up front: the repairer deducts it from the total.
How to claim the repair bonus →Common faults
Frequently asked questions
How long does a microwave last?
Six to ten years in domestic use. The lifespan depends mostly on the cumulative running time of the magnetron, the part that generates the microwaves.
Why is my microwave sparking?
Most often the mica plate on the right-hand wall is dirty or burnt and needs replacing, which is an inexpensive part. Sparks can also come from a metal object or from carbonised food residue inside the cavity.