Broken Plastic Door Handle GE Spacemaker?

You can buy a new handle. I did a search with the part number which is WB15X335. I think it was Google. I saw quite a few , all the same handle. Shown with different prices, from $12.00 up. It cost me less than $15.00 total. Received it in 3 days.

Linda
July 2017

The bonding solution described by Daniel L using JB WaterWeld and sheet metal screws to add support seems to have made my 20 year old GE like new. I will use matte black enamel paint to touch up any scratches or remaining white bond after it completely cures.

This has resulted in a much more secure handle than when I tried Crazy Glue which only lasted a few days.

Robert
November 2015

Made a new handle out of 2x2 wood, cut at top and bottom 45 degrees on the ends. Stained to match cabinets. Looks great, and it will never break.

Randy
November 2015

I used a shoelace. Ran the aglets of each end of shoelace through existing screw holes in microwave. Tie each end in a knot push trim back together inside door. Got a handle. Black shoelace doesn't look dirty. Will probably replace with white cabinet knob when I go to store. New handle overpriced.

Jason
November 2014

https://www.geapplianceparts.com/store/parts/assembly/JVM1330BW01

Here is the Assembly Diagram

Leia
July 2014

Black GE profile SpacemakerSL Sensor - same issue, broken handle no replacement parts. I took the plastic gasket off the inside of the door (butter knife to pop out) unscrewed bottom screw replaced with stainless knob and 1in screw that came with it added 3 small washers job done! To clean up the top hole I went to the old standby tin full of odd screws and found a plastic/rubber (white) insert for covering holes on shelf units and used a sharpie on it, perfect wouldn't even notice if you were looking for it!

Bob G
December 2013

I have a JVM1630BK01. Same problem, the microwave is 6 yrs old and the handle is broken and useless. GE no longer sells the handle and they tell me they can't even cross reference the part so that I can order another handle that fits. Not only that, they can't even give me the dimensions of the handle so I can order a 3rd party replacement. Last GE product I will ever buy.

pw
January 2013

EASY FIX: Buy a cheap hand trowel at your favorite hardware store with a plastic handle. Buy a couple of #8 x 1-1/2" metal screws (or what fits your trowel). Remove the 3/4" trim that runs around the glass on the back of the door (pry and pop it out). Measure the screw hole centers on your new handle. Use the existing bottom hole and drill a new hole from the back at the correct distance. Mount your new handle and wait for something else to fail.

Scott in New Mexico
November 2012

Broken handle at bottom. On this site I found the simple idea of removing the handle altogether and replacing it with a cabinet knob. That's what I did and it was cheap, easy, and looks and works great. I only had to remove the top and bottom screws (2 total) to remove the handle and I used a bit longer (countersunk) screw so head was flush. I bought the white ceramic knob at Ace for $2.09 and the extra screw for 11 cents. The screw hole where the top of the handle was is still visible but doesn't look bad and could be covered up with anything you like, including another knob if desired. So TAKE THAT, GE!! :)))))

halkon
March 2012

I'm re-posting the solution I implemented months ago. It's cheap, easy to do, and has stood the test of time (almost a year now). I, too, tried other glue-based repairs, but they were only temporarily effective. This one works.

"What follows hasn't yet stood the full test of time (it's been only two weeks), but it will. I used this method to repair mine after my first glue job failed after a couple of weeks. This one won't.

Cost of materials is less than $10.00, and there's no need to remove anything but the handle via the screw at its top.

Materials needed are a small amount of masking or electrical tape, a reasonably thick rubber band that will fit around the door and the handle, a couple of 1/2" long pan head sheet metal screws, and a tube of one of the J B Weld ribbon-like epoxies that come with one of the two materials wrapped around the other. Home Depot carries about four or five different types. Their Plastic Weld should work fine, but I chose Water Weld, because it's shown to bond both plastic and metal.

Tools needed are a drill with a very small bit (to start the holes for the screws), the screwdriver you're going to use to remove and reattach the handle and to run the screws in, a razor blade scraper and a box cutter (both are recommended), and whatever else you might want to use to roughen and/or score plastic.

Loosen the handle and swing its bottom to the side. If there's not a reasonably clear outline on the door showing the position of the lower portion of the handle against the door when the handle's in position, make a rough one with tape.

Remove the handle. Thoroughly score and roughed everything you can see in and around the bottom cavity, then do the same thing to the flat plastic surface of the door inside the outline discussed above.

Drill two small holes in the door about one and one-sixteenth of an inch below the top of the outline, reasonably far away from the outsides of the outline, and far enough apart to accommodate the heads of the pan head screws.

Screw in the pan head screws almost, but not quite, all the way. Reinstall the handle to make sure that its sides clear the screw heads so that the bottom of the handle will flush-up against the door. If it doesn't and won't without there being no gap between the screw's heads and the door surface, you might need to take out one or both of the screws and reposition it/them (don't worry: astronaut's lives won't be affected). After you get a "good fit" on the handle and the screws, remove the handle, again.

Now, cut off significantly more of the epoxy stick than you're going to need to fill the cavity at the handle's bottom, follow the directions on kneading it to a uniform color, then apply a generous portion of it to the area around and under the screw heads. If you're lucky, there will still be a "stalk" from the old handle-to-door connection sticking out of the door. If there is, smear the epoxy all over that booger, too, and if there's not, sort of create a "plug" with the epoxy and put it in the hole that's there.

Now, slightly over-fill with the epoxy every cavity you can see in the bottom of the handle, then reattach the handle and push its bottom flush against the door, which should make epoxy ooze out everywhere around the handle's bottom. Remove the worst of the "ooze" with the blades of the razor blade scraper and the box cutter.

Next, put the rubber band around the door and the handle and tension it to help hold the bottom of the handle against the door, then remove the balance of the excess "ooze."

If there are small gaps between the bottom portion of the handle and the door (and, like me, you happen to suffer from OCD), you can use small pieces of the excess epoxy and your saliva-moistened finger to fill them in, the remove the excess again.

Do your final clean-up with a little moisture and a paper towel or rags.

The epoxy's very easy to work with. The one I chose sets in 15 to 25 minutes, which gives plenty of working time, "dries" white, and cures in 60 minutes.

If my repair fails, I'll re-post, but I suspect that it would require a hammer and a chisel (okay, maybe only a hacksaw and/or a Dremel tool) to detach the bottom of the handle from the door...though your mileage may vary.

Dan

Dan L
August 2010"

Dan L
July 2011

Add me to the list of unhappy GE microwave owners-my handle broke twice. I refused to pay $67 for a replacement part. Ebay wanted half that. For a handle that will break again, that was still too much to pay. So I ordered a 10 1/16" satin nickel cabinet pull from HardwareHut.com. (EPCO EPC-AS55-256-SN) for $10.50 plus shipping. We had to drill a new hole on the bottom of the door since GE also designed the holes off center. You will also need two 1.5" flathead screws. My husband used a Dremel to cut off the old protruding plastic and screw from the bottom hole so we would not have to take the door apart. I filled in the old holes with white caulk- doesn't look bad at all. I'm looking for something to use as a back plate to cover the holes, but in the mean time, I'v got something that looks nice, works, and will last. Take that GE!

On a budget
June 2011

I found an extremely easy and cheap solution to this. I've implemented the following solution just today, and it's expected to work better than most epoxy approaches.

Step 1: Unscrew the top screw, from the inside.
Step 2: Purchase a handle/knob, and make sure the screw for it is approx. 8/32 of an inch wide. This is probably standard, so don't worry too much about it.

Step 3: Screw the handle/knob in. See note below.

NOTE: If the handle/knob you purchased came with a screw, that screw is likely too small. Purchase a spare screw, and ensure that it is approximately 1.5 inches in length. A screw any longer will dangle inside the heating area, while a screw much shorter will not reach from the inside of the door to the inside of the knob's screw area. 1 inch was certainly too short, and that was the length of the screw that came with the knob I purchased.

Remove the old default handle at your discretion. Rip it off, or whatever.

The total hardware cost is just a simple knob and screw, and I paid $1.30 total.

Derrick
April 2011

My SpacemakerXL broke as well. WAY TO GO, General Electric! You failed to engineer a door handle!

Derrick
April 2011

Order GE part WB15X10022 handle asm. from McCombs Supply Co., INc. 346 N. Marshall St., POB 4577, Lancaster, PA 17604 717-299-3866, $21.75. Remove soft plastic cover with a butter knife or putty knife.(I started from top left corner. After you remove the soft plastic frame a metal frame will be exposed. Stick the knife behind the metal frame and carefully pry it loose. Top left corner first then bottom left. The metal frame will remain attached to the door near the hinges, but you will have plenty of room to remove the four screws holding the old handle in place. Once you have attached the new handle pop the metal frame back into place and do the same with the soft plastic frame....about a ten minute job at the most!

tw8driver
April 2011

ATTENTION FEMALE TAKE ON THIS PLASTIC HANDLE ORDEAL
Add me to the pool, OK i refuse to spend $60 on a plastic handle, watched a video on youtube on how to remove the handle because the broken bits that remained behind were starting to annoy me, so reading all your posts about the same complaints led me to thinking (carefully so i don't hurt myself being a girl and all lol) why not go to the hardware store and buy a Stainless Steel handle make that two seeing i doubt i will find the right size and have two knobbies/handles probably going to cost less than $5 (I saved the screws so don't need to replace those) Logically speaking the handles do not make or break the microwave they just assist to open and shut the door so go buy two Stainless steel knobs/handles and update your LEMON - Hopes this helps someone else cuz i sure as dammit will not spend $60 on a PLASTIC handle that will break again.

I say two handles because you only really need one but the two will cover up the holes so one will just be cosmetic.

~~Lisa~~

Lisa Pinnock
March 2011

Our handle on our GE Spacemaker broke off at the bottom too. I glued it with Super Glue and it lasted a few days, then the entire handle came off!! We called our Home Protection Plan, which we paid for when we purchased this house 4 months ago. The cost to come out was $65.oo (Sears). They said they would have the part in one week. I wonder what part it is, I figured we'd get a new microwave, so I'm anxious to see what kind of part we're paying for, and how long that will last. No more GE products for us either, as we're also having problems with the GE oven right below it.

Ughhhh!!!
January 2011

Instead if taking apart the outside plastic & inside metal frame/glass you can use a drill. Start with a very small bit and drill a pilot hole exactly where the top and bottom screw behind the metal is. Work your way up with a few bigger bits until you expose the screw head. Unscrew and you can install your new handle in a min. And if the handle breaks again (which it will) the fix will only take min. Worse than the fix is the $37.00 for a cheap plastic part!!! Thanks a lot GE for all your problems. You would think a billion dallor company could spend a dollar more and go with a stronger handle that would last. But then again thats why they are a billion dallor company.

J. K.
January 2011

I have a JVM1631WB
The bottm of the old handle broke.

The new handle was $17 at Sears parts.

The inside trim came off and I was able to get 2 out 4 of the handle screws off. The remaining two heads are covered by a metal shield.

Anyhow I tried getting the glass free and getting the screw heads exposed for a good 30 min. Finally, I decided to just pull the old handle off.

This pulled the top screw through. I was able to pry back the bottom corner of the microwave to expose the 4th screw head.

I was able to put the new handle on with 2 bottom screws and 1 top screw. It is stable.

To be safe,

I am going to epoxy the heck out of attaching the handle from the inside before replacing the trim.

I got 11 years out of the first handle, hopefully, I can get 3 or 4 out of this one.

JoeNC
January 2011

We too had the broken handle problem. We were only able to remove the plastic trim with the putty knife to reveal the two simple screws. We disengaged the other two screws with a needle nose plier and jiggling it. Our new handle uses only the two screws and is a little wobbly. We will try to open with care

lrw
December 2010

I bought the handle for $37 today, free shipping, taxes only for Texas at Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-GE-Hotpoint-White-Microwave-Door-Handle-WB15X335-/120645484978?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c170801b2

I will use epoxy glue to attach it this time, hopefully it last longer than previous handles, this is the 3rd replacement in 8 years.

Sandra
December 2010

We've had ours for about 12 years, door handle broke at the top 2 or 3 years ago and we fixed it with super glue. It just broke again, super glue isn't working this time though. Thanks for all the ideas on how to fix it. I'll try the epoxy glue first, if that doesn't work guess we'll try looking into getting a new door handle, which doesn't sound like much fun to put in or the price either.

Karon
November 2010

The is a follow-up to my August 2010 post on the $10.00 "second repair" I made.

It's still holding, with no signs of weakness, and I suspect that it will continue to hold, because it addresses the problem that causes the handle to break in the first place.

That problem is that the door tends to be opened by pulling on the bottom of the handle, and the only attachment at the handle's bottom is a weak one, while the epoxy and pan head screws I used in my repair make the bottom of the handle a solid chuck, instead of the hollow punk it used to be, and sort of "welds" that solid chunk to the bottom of the door.

Dan L
October 2010

I have an AMANA microwave, the handle broke at the bottom. To replace just this handle is $67.50 for the part! outrageous. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Pat
August 2010

What follows hasn't yet stood the full test of time (it's been only two weeks), but it will. I used this method to repair mine after my first glue job failed after a couple of weeks. This one won't.

Cost of materials is less than $10.00, and there's no need to remove anything but the handle via the screw at its top.

Materials needed are a small amount of masking or electrical tape, a reasonably thick rubber band that will fit around the door and the handle, a couple of 1/2" long pan head sheet metal screws, and a tube of one of the J B Weld ribbon-like epoxies that come with one of the two materials wrapped around the other. Home Depot carries about four or five different types. Their Plastic Weld should work fine, but I chose Water Weld, because it's shown to bond both plastic and metal.

Tools needed are a drill with a very small bit (to start the holes for the screws), the screwdriver you're going to use to remove and reattach the handle and to run the screws in, a razor blade scraper and a box cutter (both are recommended), and whatever else you might want to use to roughen and/or score plastic.

Loosen the handle and swing its bottom to the side. If there's not a reasonably clear outline on the door showing the position of the lower portion of the handle against the door when the handle's in position, make a rough one with tape.

Remove the handle. Thoroughly score and roughed everything you can see in and around the bottom cavity, then do the same thing to the flat plastic surface of the door inside the outline discussed above.

Drill two small holes in the door about one and one-sixteenth of an inch below the top of the outline, reasonably far away from the outsides of the outline, and far enough apart to accommodate the heads of the pan head screws.

Screw in the pan head screws almost, but not quite, all the way. Reinstall the handle to make sure that its sides clear the screw heads so that the bottom of the handle will flush-up against the door. If it doesn't and won't without there being no gap between the screw's heads and the door surface, you might need to take out one or both of the screws and reposition it/them (don't worry: astronaut's lives won't be affected). After you get a "good fit" on the handle and the screws, remove the handle, again.

Now, cut off significantly more of the epoxy stick than you're going to need to fill the cavity at the handle's bottom, follow the directions on kneading it to a uniform color, then apply a generous portion of it to the area around and under the screw heads. If you're lucky, there will still be a "stalk" from the old handle-to-door connection sticking out of the door. If there is, smear the epoxy all over that booger, too, and if there's not, sort of create a "plug" with the epoxy and put it in the hole that's there.

Now, slightly over-fill with the epoxy every cavity you can see in the bottom of the handle, then reattach the handle and push its bottom flush against the door, which should make epoxy ooze out everywhere around the handle's bottom. Remove the worst of the "ooze" with the blades of the razor blade scraper and the box cutter.

Next, put the rubber band around the door and the handle and tension it to help hold the bottom of the handle against the door, then remove the balance of the excess "ooze."

If there are small gaps between the bottom portion of the handle and the door (and, like me, you happen to suffer from OCD), you can use small pieces of the excess epoxy and your saliva-moistened finger to fill them in, the remove the excess again.

Do your final clean-up with a little moisture and a paper towel or rags.

The epoxy's very easy to work with. The one I chose sets in 15 to 25 minutes, which gives plenty of working time, "dries" white, and cures in 60 minutes.

If my repair fails, I'll re-post, but I suspect that it would require a hammer and a chisel (okay, maybe only a hacksaw and/or a Dremel tool) to detach the bottom of the handle from the door...though your mileage may vary.

Dan

Dan L
August 2010

My GE Microwave handle broke a few ago...try to glue it ..but didn't work..I was attend to buy a new one (new microwave to replace it) because I never know I can buy the part and replace the handle only...so I go online and order the handle and received yeterday...I saw a video on youtube how to open the door inside and get to the screws (4 screws... 2 stews inside the screen door and the other is outside part on the inside screen door) finially I use $35 to fix it ...not spend $350 thanks

goowoo
July 2010

Today I will be installing replacement handle # 3. Previous $50 handle lasted about 4 months. Microwave is in the 8 to 10 years old range. It would seem that GE's staff could develop an improved replacement handle, as this handle design has been around awhile, and continues to give their customers fits. However if you can get $50 for "many" handle replacements, maybe you do not want to come up with a new design.
By the way I did have a "temporary" fix while waiting for the new handle to be delivered. I used a small 2 inch automotive dent puller. Installed in 10 seconds, and works great. Tool is a bright orange, so has made quite the conversation piece.

Bill
April 2010

how do you take the skin of the built in GE MICROWAVE to fix the handles?

Mike
April 2010

My door handle on my GE Spacesaver broke after 10 years. I found guidance on this site and bought a new door handle on Ebay at http://stores.ebay.com/HVAC-Appliance-Parts-Supplies. This guy sells at 1/3 the regular GE price. I also got the info, how to remove the trim and access the screws in this thread..Thanks to all the posters.

Jim B
March 2010

I too have a broken micro wave door handle problem. I was not aware that this was such a problem. I bought a new handle but I am not able to remove the entire old handle. Screws are out, but a "clip" remains. Can anyone assist?

Marie
March 2010

My GE Spacemaker handle just broke again... 3rd time in about 6 years. 1st time I tried a couple different glues -- what seemed to work best (fix lasted 2 years) was an epoxy type glue made specifically for plastic.

JoeG
March 2010

Thanks so much for the info on how to get the old handle off. I've had my microwave since 1996 and this is my first broken handle. I'll be thrilled if the new one lasts even half as long. But I had no idea how to get to the bottom screw. I appreciate the info.

Stuart in Connecticut
February 2010

I want to add my Broken Handle to the list. Bought a replacement and am waiting for the kids to rip it off!

The Problem is that the lower screw weakens the sleeve and that is where it breaks

Leroy
February 2010

I sawed a stainless steel knife in half for the handle (ruining about 4 hacksaw blades), cut a small square of wood (about 1.5 X 1.5 X .5 inches), fashioned an indentation in the block to fit the stainless steel knife handle, drilled a hole through the handle and block, found a screw with the right threads, and waa-lah! Problem solved.

Another Chris
February 2010

Bondo! The great solve all. Take the handle off microwave, lay it on old newspaper. Get a can of Bondo at your local hardware store. Mix up enough to fill in the bottom hole of the handle. The Bondo will go through a harding period, usually about 5 minutes. Once it cures, put the handle back on the microwave and align the handle where it is supposed to be. Tighten the top screw. On the bottom hole, (where the screw goes through door) you can carefully drill a small hole partially into the Bondo, then, using a self tapping screw, screw it into the Bondo. The bondo will continue to harden over the next hour or so will make a stronger hold than the original design, which is a very poor design. Also, put tape around the outside of the handle before using Bondo to keep it off the outside of the handle.

Robert
January 2010

Ours broke for the 3rd time in 5 years Yes, sad but true..Always the bottom... Google XL spacesaver GE MWave.. 19.99 + SH

Pete NY
January 2010

Sam Potts - Do you have a link to the instruction on ohw to replace the door handle?

ABQ
January 2010

I just followed the above instructions to replace the broken door handle. It required removing the middle trim as everyone says (carefully mind you!), and then the bottom screw will be revealed. The new handle will not be a new handle long though, as I noticed when the screw started it already had started to crack the tip. I think it was previously described as a sheet metal screw working on plastic, what am I missing here, GE?

Sam Potts
January 2010

I have the same problem. The part should be under warranty, if it's less than 1 year old. My regular oven had a beeping sound and the whole panel had to be replaced with GE personnel. I don't use my dish washer a lot, otherwise I would expect it to break down. I can tell you that I will never buy another GE product again.

Sean Wy
January 2010

If it is the black plastic handle for the GE spacesaver microwave oven, I am going on my second handle in ten years Part number WB15X321 on ebay for $29 shipped

rslsuwanee
December 2009

Wow.... I can't believe all the people who have the same problem. Mine has been broken for a couple of years now and I am tired of having to remember to open my microwave very carefully. Now, it's gotten so bad that I want to get a new handle; at $50.00 you've got to be kidding!! I think I'm going to try the epoxy putty.

Tammy
December 2009

Mine broke this Thanksgiving. Never knew this was such an epidemic. I'm thinking I will just take it off and either put a cabinet pull in or just pull on it from the bottom. I have no intentions of buying the part if its over $15 and I'm not junking an otherwise perfectly serviceable microwave.

Joe in Texas
December 2009

You can add me to this ever growing list. Tried gluing the bottom part of the handle back on where it snapped off. What lousy design engineering! Will see how long it last. And why am I not surprised the replacement part is over $50 bucks?

Brian in Houston
November 2009

I fixed this problem using epoxy putty which cost about 5$ at Home Depo or Lowes. I comes in a plastic cylinder and looks like gray and white dough. You cut off a piece, place in your and then make a ball which blends the two epoxy parts together. Force this blended expoxy into the crevice where the two pieces broke and hold until it bonds or tape it. Do not just apply to the edges of the break but wedge into the plastic. It worked for me. Good luck.

Jerry Grayson
November 2009

I had the same problem. Tried gluing but it didn't last. Then I noticed that there was nice solid plastic that the original screw wasn't long enough to go into. I glued the pieces together again and this time drilled a pilot hole for a longer screw through the original hole. The door is more solid now than it was when new.

Brad
October 2009

Mine broke recently, probably for the 4th or 5th time. I'm living in my parent's house (they are deceased) and I know that they replaced the handle at least once. I've glued it together several times, but this last time, it just snapped off. Will probably have to just buy a new handle, but $40 for a piece of plastic is ridiculous. However, I can't afford to buy a new microwave right now.

SEB
October 2009

Same Problem. Had it for 9 years and was fine, then broke off while opening it in Oct 2008, then again in Oct 2009. Very unhappy!

Dave from Boston
October 2009

Mine broke for the 2nd time in 3 months (at the bottom).
First I used Gorilla glue but now it broke again.
How about a class action suit?

Cap'n John
October 2009

I am simply amazed that this has happened to so many folks. Would this make this handle a lemon???

CB
August 2009

I found one on this eBay store for $21.25 plus about $6 to ship. Ordering one now. Here is a link to the store, but do a search on eBay to make sure you get the best price. Link:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/HVAC-Appliance-Parts-Supplies__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Chuck Gautier, Ridgeland, MS
June 2009

Throw me into the broken handle pool. Thanks for posting the info on removing the trim with a thin blade. My top part of the handle broke. (GE wanted $54 plus shipping). Thanks GE! My first attempt to use superglue failed, but I didn't let it dry. Trying again but am going to go ahead and order one off Ebay I found for around $30 shipping included.

Chuck Gautier, Ridgeland, MS
June 2009

after reading all the posts above and several others on the web I decided to pull off my broken handle and glue it. My handle had been glued before by the previous owner. build date 2001, we've had it since 2005, so that old glue job held up pretty well.

no screws were visible on the inside of my door, so I took a butter knife and carefully pried the interior door trim off. This was tricky since some of the tabs needed to be pried towards the center of the door and some away from the door. This took about five minutes.

I then pulled out the screws that were holding the handle on, or so I thought. the handle still didn't move with these screws out.

I looked at it harder and realized that it had been glued in by the previous owner. I decided to try glue again and see how it works. I got the best solid silicone caulk that I could and used that. I lightly sanded all the glue surfaces and then cleaned them with acetone using a q-tip. I also wanted to beef up the lower part of the handle by filling the lower two inches with caulk. I did this and also had some window screen mesh that I cut a small piece of and shoved it up from the base to give the caulk in the handle even more strength. After caulking the handle inside and where it attaches to the door, I taped it with duct tape and let it dry for 24 hours.

After reading several posts about these microwaves, I wanted to try and adjust the latch, so that it was easier to open and close. There is no adjustment on mine, just a spring. I thought about bending the spring, but this would be difficult to do property. I took a ball point pen and wrapped some twist tie around it and then twisted the ends together. I then slid off the loop I made. I then bent this into more of an oval. I detached the spring on the inside of my micro door and added my twist tie oval to it, to make the spring longer. It worked great. I was a little worried about the door not sealing tight enough, so I did more reading online. I found that most microwave doors need to close to the point of about four sheets of standard printer paper thickness. I folded some paper, so that it was four pieces thick and closed it in my door, with my new spring in place. I was tight, but I could pull it out. This was successful in my eyes. I put the trim piece back on the inside of the door and we've been enjoying our new, easier to open micro ever since.

AlexInSeattle
April 2009

I fixed the door handle and after 3 days It was broken again....Now I am lokking for the handle and I can not find it....Someone can tell where can I order the part....Thank You

dalfin16
February 2009

I plastic-glued mine one time and it worked for a few months. Now I'll try either re-glueing it or maybe the soldering iron melt trick. Next--rather than pay $35+ I might fashion a new handle out of old wooden thread spools and a dowell! GE sure screwed up on this one...and then added insult to injury by overcharging for the repair part.

fixrupper
February 2009

Dan,

I did what you said and replacing the handle was supper easy.

Brian
February 2009

My bottom handle post snappedon Christmas. Earlier posts were right, very poor construction and support for the piece withthe most stress. Buying cabinet door handle is good idea. I went with liquid nails and bonded the whole bottom together. Will go with cabinet hanlde if this does not work untill replacement of appliance.

Jim - Not surprized at crap workmanship
January 2009

Take off the trim and get out the part of the handle that broke off. Use a electric sodering iron and melt the two parts back together. Reinstall the handle. The plastic pieces can easily be bonded back together. Try this on any plastic that has cracked apart or broken.

Scott
December 2008

We just lost our third handle in 8 years, this one was on for less then 7 months. There are obvious design flaws with all there micro handles, but they continue to rip people off and make them purchase new ones. We will just go without, never to buy another GE.

Chris
July 2008

Our handle just broke on ours this past week what a POS.

Trey
June 2008

My wife just ripped the handle off our 10 yr old SpacemakerXL. The unit still works fine. I called GE, they want $65 + S&H for replacement part. After hunting around online, I found multiple sites and EBay charging around $35-40 + shipping.

Roland
November 2007

The handle ony my GE Spacemaker XL Microwave just broke today at the bottom. The top is still intact, judging from the posts here I might just go buy a new microwave.

Mark
May 2007

Mine Broke too about six months ago went to open it & all I got was a hand full of handle. Cheapest one I've found is @ www.appliancecarestore.com $40.09 shipped

Mike
December 2006

My door handle just broke. I wasn't about to pay $30 or $40 dollars to replace this handle on a microwave this old. I simply used one Kitchen cabinet door knob and screwed it to the top part of the door using the screw hole visible on the back of door. I had to use a slightly longer screw then the one used on the existing handle. This will do the job until I decide to replace the whole microwave.

Brendan
August 2006

I have a Kenmore that is three years old with very light use. The bottom handle post broke, requiring a new handle. I was shocked to see how little support exists for the handle connections. The manufacturer should be embarassed to sell such poor quality merchandise. It would be great to have some more detailed instructions or pictures on how to pry off the trim.

Matthew
July 2006

Guys, I bought a handle on www.sears.com. I went to replace the handle and got to the screws by removing the molding on the inside of the door. I screwed the new handle in and put the molding back on. I closed the door and the microwave came on and the light stayed on. I opened the door and the light stayed on. The micowave won't heat now. I can program it but when I hit start the microwave runs but doesn't heat. any suggestions?

If not, I'm off to Lowe's to buy a new Whirlpool unit!

Karl
Charlotte,NC

Karl
April 2006

Go to Ebay---------they have white, black, almond, etc.
colored handles for the GE Lemon
that they call a microwave. It is
called the Spacemaker because after
they have been pitched in the trash
there truly is a space made there.
Part #WB15X335, 336, or whatever
number matches your color.

The Post Man
March 2006

The number of posts should embarrass GE. Perhaps that's why they got out of the business.

1. Order the part from http://www.myapstore.com/Omega/Dispatcher?REQUEST=STARTSHOPPING&zipcode=40225&couponCode=Promo+Code (That's not my zipcode. Not sure why it's there.) Be aware that it's $50 or so... and not all colors are available. I have a white one, but could only get a black handle.

2. Open the door to the microwave. The top screw is obvious. Take it out.

3) Use a flathead screwdriver or putty knife to remove the inner moulding. THis is the central thing you'll see -- the outside is the frame of the door and the inside is the frame of the screen/window. The MIDDLE thing is the one you want. It's is clipped onto the screen/window frame, so put the screwdriver in on the edge closer to the door frame and gently lever it out. There are a lot of clips. BE CAREFUL -- if you are unsure, take to an appliance repair shop that can properly test for leakage!!!

4. The lower screw will then be evident. Take it out and the handle... or shards of it in my case... comes off.

Dan who will no longer buy GE
January 2006

Mine broke at bottom. Used super glue placed on index card to apply, drilled pilot hole and used sheetmetal screw.

Art
December 2005

Thanks for the information about http://www.applianceaid.com. One thing that I found was the picture of removing the trim to reveal the bottom screw does not match my microwave, circa 1998. After unsuccessfully trying to remove the outer trim as pictured in the image, which includes the door latches, I realized that the "middle" trim between the outer trim and the glass was the trim that should be removed. It came out very easily, actually just popped the corner of the trim out to reveal the screw.

Frank
November 2005

Call Sears parts center, $33.00 with shipping.
(866) 746-3543

lalbers60
September 2005

Mine is broken too. $50 is too much for the handle. Can we order a one from a third party? Maybe we should order from China together?

zookeeper
August 2005

Wow...mine also broke(bottom) a few months ago but the top part is still intact. I noticed last night that the top was developing hairline fractures so it was time to research for the fix. Thank you one & all for all your assistance...I also couldn't figure out how to get to what was holding the handle in place. The Internet is a wonderful tool!

Robert
August 2005

Thank you Rob for the link for applianceaid.com.....I couldn't figure out how to remove the old, broken door frame. Control panel frame was easy after removing the top plastic vent section. But the door was a stumper, until I saw how to get to the handle screws!!! Eureka! Success.....was paralyzed in the kitchen until I read your post. My husband is in total disbelief that I've taken care of it!!

Chris
August 2005

My GE Spacemaker XL handle broke too today, at lower end of handle. Have no solution to offer, just empathy! :(

Christina
July 2005

Call General Electric at 800-432-2737 and you will be able to place an order for one there. Beware, the part is $47.50 for the handle alone.

Chris
April 2005

guys

mine also broke this wknd, the model is Spacemaker XL, it broke at the bottom of the handle and still hanging on the top...its really creepy to see this many door handles getting broken in 1 month...

Sri
January 2005

Mine has been broken for about 4 months now - superglue was NOT the answer ;-)

Searching the web today I found 'how to' instructions on replacing it: http://www.applianceaid.com/otr-door.html

The part (WB15X336 -Almond) can be ordered there (and several other websites) for $36.46. I'm hesitant to do so - $40 for a handle seems excessive.

Rob
January 2005

Mine broke also. Door handle no longer available...if someone finds one please post.

Will
January 2005

remove the inside trim and the screw is revealed...do a search in google for "fix broken GE microwave handle"

mac
January 2005

I guess this makes three broken handles in one month - mine broke today! I can remove the top screw but can't figure out how to remove the plastic post at the bottom (where it broke). It appears to be screwed on from the other side, but covered in such a way I can't get to. You can get a diagram and parts list from www3.sears.com. The handle is $49.99 and the bottom screw-thingy is $2.16. I won't buy the parts until I know how to put them on. Let me know if you figure it out.

Andy
January 2005

I guess this isn't an uncommon problem. My GE Spacemaker (also 10 years old) door handle broke a few months ago at the top. I was just about to super glue it and thought I'd check online ... so far I've only found others with the same problem but no answers. :o( It looked to me also like there is no way to replace the handle, but rather the entire door.

Mark
January 2005

Hi-
Mine just brought, too... Have you heard anything from anyone? Please let me know. Thanks!

Michael
January 2005