Sharp Microwave Drawer, Microwave and Refrigerator Repair

Sharp dates back to 1912 in Japan and has been a major electronics maker for most of the past century, now under the majority ownership of Taiwan's Foxconn group. In the United States, it is closely associated with microwave ovens. Its countertop and over-the-range models have been common for decades, and its microwave drawer, which installs below a counter and opens with a touch, became a favorite in kitchen remodels and islands.

Sharp has also added full-size refrigerators to its North American lineup in recent years, including French-door and bottom-freezer designs. Those are newer to the market than its microwaves, which affects parts support and service history. In Charlotte-area homes we see Sharp drawers most often in remodeled kitchens and islands, where the microwave was moved off the counter to free up space.

A microwave drawer still uses a magnetron, high-voltage transformer, capacitor and diode to make heat, and a control board with a touch panel. What sets it apart is the motorized drawer. A small motor and gear train open and close the drawer on slides, and switches tell the control where the drawer is and whether it is safely shut. If any of those parts fails, the unit may refuse to heat or may stop the drawer partway.

That design means a drawer that will not open is not necessarily a broken microwave. It may be a gear, a motor, a slide or a position switch. We test the drive and switch circuit before looking at the high-voltage side, so we do not replace expensive parts that are not at fault.

On microwaves of all types, the common faults are door or drawer interlock switches, internal fuses that blow when a switch fails, magnetrons that wear out, and touch panels that stop responding. Over-the-range models add vent fan motors and lights. Microwave drawers add drive motors, gears and slides, which often wear from people pushing or pulling the drawer by hand instead of using the controls.

On refrigerators, we look at the usual French-door issues: defrost problems that frost over the evaporator, ice maker and water valve faults, fan motors and door gaskets. Humid summers make gasket problems more visible, because a weak seal pulls moist air into the cabinet and causes sweating and frost.

Every Sharp microwave contains a high-voltage capacitor that can store a dangerous charge long after the unit is unplugged. This is not a do-it-yourself repair. Owners can check the breaker and outlet, confirm the door or drawer is clear of obstructions, and stop using a unit that sparks, but the cabinet should stay closed.

Sharp microwave parts are generally available, although some drawer components are more specialized and may need to be ordered. Refrigerator parts can be harder to find for certain models, and we tell you that before you commit. If the appliance is still under Sharp's warranty, we let you know first. Our own repairs carry a 90-day parts and 30-day labor warranty.

Microwave drawers and over-the-range microwaves are built into cabinetry, so replacing one involves more than buying a new unit. Repairs to drives, switches, fuses and many boards are often the better value. A basic countertop Sharp is different; most repairs beyond a fuse or switch cost close to a new microwave.

Power surges from summer thunderstorms are a frequent cause of control failures on all electronic appliances, including Sharp microwaves and refrigerators. If a board has failed after a storm, consider a surge protector or whole-home protection when it is replaced. For refrigerators, we weigh the age, the part cost and the parts availability before recommending a repair.