Here’s How Long Microwaves Last (4 Aging Microwave Signs)

Appliance Analysts ^ | 9/4/25 | Craig Anderson, James Blackford

[DallasBiff]

I know an inane thread, but the microwave died after 4 years and had to get a new one.

I used the heck out of it, surprised it lasted that long.

[stanne]

35 yrs I use it once a month maybe

[crusty old prospector]

We use ours daily, if not hourly. 23 years.

[avital2]

i had one for 17 years! but still cursed when it gave up the ghost.

[marktwain]

I had one which lasted over 30 years.

[Jim W N]

Except for my cast iron skillets and toaster oven, the microwave is all I use for cooking.

[Inyo-Mono]

Bookmark.

[Carry_Okie]

A well-maintained microwave can last up to 10 years.

Our first Amana lasted 25 years. After that it was a series of Chines magnetrons until I gave up on it. It was a 30" built-in over a matching oven. Big mistake. I should have gone 36". But now we have a 30" over-the-range model. More easily replaced but I hate the programming and the push-to-close latch. The latter is noisy when the wife is asleep upstairs.

[Seruzawa]

Microwaves speed on into eternity.

[FLNittany]

[SpaceBar]

I have done several post-mortem investigations on dead microwave ovens, and they really started to crap out when manufacturers started using aluminum wiring instead of copper in the power supply to save money.

[Larry Lucido]

Had a microwave “die” and then figured out it was a blown internal fuse. After I had bought a replacement. Then I had two microwaves.

The one I have now is over 15 years old.

[Openurmind]

The generator not the output... lol

[Jamestown1630]

When I retired, there was an ancient microwave in one of the buildings that had been there over 30 years. It hadn’t even been very well cared for.

[READINABLUESTATE]

My Father had one that lasted only 3 months.
That’s what happens when you cook a bowl of oatmeal for 6 hours.
Melted it.

[Red Badger]

They last until the warranty runs out..............

[Paladin2]

I still have my first microwave, a Litton, from ~1977.

It worked for a long time.

I afraid to take it apart, but it still looks good.

Its replacement is still working.

Four years sounds short....

[Larry Lucido]

Hard to believe that that's Mike "Pimento Cheese" Ehrmantraut.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Uncle Mike has lasted 10 years and counting.

[Albion Wilde]

My last three lasted 7 years apiece. Usually used them less than 2 mins once a day, occasionally twice.