How to replace Kitchenaid Microwave Light Bulb

Microwaves have become a staple part in most people’s kitchens these days. For convenience cooking and reheating of food there are few appliances that can measure up to the speed and heat accuracy that can be provided by a Kitchenaid microwave.

Kitchenade microwaves are very reliable and can last for years and years before requiring any form of repair. One of the first things to break on you is often the internal light bulb, but do not worry as this is something that you can fix yourself – no need to take it to an electronics repair store or return it if it’s within its product warranty period.

In this article we will tell you how to replace a Kitchenaid microwave light bulb.  

Unfortunately, the light bulb is a pretty key component in a microwave. You have always got to have the door shut when using a microwave and so the light bulb allows you to keep an eye on how your food is cooking inside.

You don’t want to overheat/overcook your food or by the same token stop the cooking process too soon, leaving you with underdone food. How many times have you had to get up from the dinner table and disturb your meal in order to reheat an item that has not been warmed throughout?

When heating liquids there is always the risk of the liquid boiling over in a microwave, thus causing you to lose most of what you’re reheating as well as making a right mess to clean up after! 

What you need to replace the light bulb in a Kitchenaid microwave. 

If you want to continue to use your Kitchenaid microwave, then you are going to need to get that light bulb replaced quickly. It is a fairly straightforward procedure, but you will need a few things before you begin. 

Firstly, you will need a screwdriver to unscrew the casing and allow access to the light bulb socket. Usually Kitchenaid Microwaves utilize cross head screws so you will need a “Phillips Head” (+ shape) Screwdriver of the correct size, there are some microwaves that use flat screws, but these are rare and tend to be the less up to date models.  

Secondly, and most importantly, you’ll need the correct replacement light bulb. These can be purchased online and in most local hardware stores. There are 3 aspects to a light bulb that need to be correct in order for it to work properly: the wattage, size and the screw fixing.

If you are not sure of which type the light bulb you need is, then you can look in the manufacturer’s guide/instruction book received with the microwave.

If you don’t have this or it isn’t mentioned, another option is to take the old light bulb that you removed from the Kitchenaid Microwave (see below) to the hardware store with you, then you can show it to them and then they can match it up with a new one.

You can also contact Kitchenaid customer service and quote the model no. Of your microwave, they’ll be able to assist you with information about the correct bulb to use. 

Lastly, it is advisable to wear work gloves or some other form of protection for your hands. When screwing/unscrewing light bulbs (especially tight-fitting ones) there is always a risk that the glass can shatter, which can really cut and injure a naked hand. Do not take that risk and wear protection. 

How to remove the old light bulb and replace with the new one. 

 First things first, safety. When working on any repair on electrical items make sure you have unplugged the device from the power socket before attempting any work. In some cases, especially in industrial kitchens, it may be difficult to reach the plug socket for the microwave.

In this case you could also cut the power by switching off the power supply to that area from the main fuse box, simply trip the corresponding breaker. Don’t forget to check that the power is fully cut to the microwave – a good indicator is to check the display to see if it is lit up as usual.  

The next thing to do is to find the location of the light bulb and how to access it. There are 2 possible access points for the light bulb in a Kitchenaid microwave.

It could be reachable in the main chamber of the microwave, this is the interior of the microwave when you open the main door. It could also be located in the back compartment of the microwave and so would be reachable through the back panel. We have split the instructions for each possibility. 

How to replace the light bulb in the main chamber of a Kitchenaid microwave. 

 If the light bulb is found in the chamber of the microwave, then you can complete the following steps: 

1.The first thing that you need to do is to undo the screws that are fastening the casing to the light bulb. Using the screwdriver rotate the screws anti-clockwise until they can be removed. Once the screws have been removed you can then open the cover to get access to the bulb.

Depending on the model there maybe be an additional clip or clasp that you will need to remove/release before removing the protective cover. 

2.Now that you have access to the light bulb, the nest thing you need to do is remove the existing broken light bulb. To do this gently rotate it anti-clockwise being careful not to squeeze too hard and shatter the glass (this is why gloves are a good idea).

Touching the naked bulb with your bare hands can also shorten the lifespan of the bulb as the natural oils from your fingers can stick to it. 

3.With the existing light bulb now removed the next stage is to attach the replacement bulb to the socket. Now, again taking great care to not squeeze too hard and shatter the bulb, insert the new bulb and gently rotate it in a clockwise direction until it stops. Do not continue to screw it in at this point as if you push too hard the bulb can easily shatter. Make sure the light bulb is securely in place before moving on to the next step. 

4.Once the new bulb is in place, but before you replace the cover, it is a good idea to test the bulb to see if it is functioning properly. This can be done by switching on the power to the Kitchenaid microwave, the light should come on when the door is open. 

5.Finally, attach the light cover again, making sure that any clips/clasps are replaced also. Once this is done you can replace the screws and tighten the cover back up again.  

How to replace the light bulb located in the rear compartment of a Kitchenaid microwave. 

Here are the steps to replace a light bulb that is located in the back section of the microwave. 

1.The first thing you need to do is to turn the microwave around so that you can easily work on the rear section. Using your screwdriver remove the screws that are connecting the back panel to the rest of the Kitchenaid microwave. Once the screws have been undone put them somewhere safe and carefully remove the back panel section. 

2.The next thing that you need to do is to undo the screws that are fastening the casing to the light bulb. Using the screwdriver rotate the screws anti-clockwise until they can be removed.

Once the screws have been removed you can then open the cover to get access to the bulb. Depending on the model there maybe be an additional clip or clasp that you will need to remove/release before removing the protective cover. 

3.With the existing light bulb now removed the next stage is to attach the replacement bulb to the socket. Now, again taking great care to not squeeze too hard and shatter the bulb, insert the new bulb and gently rotate it in a clockwise direction until it stops.

Do not continue to screw it in at this point as if you push too hard the bulb can easily shatter. Make sure the light bulb is securely in place before moving on to the next step. 

4. Now you can reattach the light cover, making sure that any clips/clasps are replaced also. Once this is done you can replace the screws and tighten the cover back up again. After this has been done you can now reattach the entire back panel again, making sure to replace and tighten the original screws holding the back panel in place. 

5.Finally you should test the light bulb by switching on the power to the microwave and opening the door, it should come on at this point. 

What if the light bulb still doesn’t work? 

If you have completed all the steps correctly and it still does not work when you test it, then there are 3 common reasons for this:

Firstly, you have used an incorrect bulb with a different wattage to what is required, so please check this again. Secondly, you may not have screw the light bulb in fully, so double check that it has been fully screwed in until it meets resistance, and lastly (and most unfortunately) it could be that the issue is not a busted light bulb, but in fact an electronical issue with the microwave itself.

Contact the Kitchenaid customer service if you cannot get the light bulb to work having completed all of the steps described above. They are always happy to help.