How To Remove Broken Microwave Light Bulb From Difficult to Reach Spot

Here's a quick trick to remove that stubborn microwave light bulb base after you've broken the bulb off....like I do almost every time!!
You just need some blue painter's tape, two rubber bands and the original bulb.
Hope this helps you when you're in a jam!

[mikecappannari]

I have never in my life commented on a YouTube post, but this was so very, very helpful. I was actually at the pliers stage, then decided to search and came upon this trick. Worked perfectly. Thank you, so helpful!

[jamesbazemore]

Thanks for the advice. I actually didn’t have any rubber bands in my house so I used a rubber glove and it worked!

[longroadset]

I just did this tonight on the exact same microwave, this video was immensely helpful and the problem was solved! Thanks for taking away my panic this evening 😅

[everviewproperties]

Success!!! I sent this to a friend who was frustrated with the same problem, she’d even called 2 appliance repair services who refused to come out and help. She tried your method and in less than 5 minutes it worked!

[ginabuchanan]

I also have never commented on a YouTube post but your idea with the lightbulb and rubber bands saved the day! Ingenious!

[MMM]

My problem is the way the bulb is inserted goes the opposite of “lefty loosely, righty tighty” because typically you’re in front of the item not “behind” it like you are in this case. Once I tried your trick with the painters tape and rubber bands the old socket came right out! I was without a light for a week! Thank you for making this video!!!

[johnstrycharske]

Dude! You are a genius! I have been pulling my hair out on how to get that broken piece out, and had just about decided I needed to take the microwave down to get good access. Then one last interweb search found your video and I'm now a much happier person. It still wasn't a slam dunk for me as the bulb shattered earlier today on it's way out so I didn't have that to use. So I cut an old Sharpie down to about an inch and a half long piece (the butt end not the business end!), wrapped it with a couple rubber bands as instructed, and voila! Out like a champ! I wish I could buy you a beer. Many, many thanks to you fine sir.

[annas]

Thank you!! You just saved me an embarrassing call to my apartment maintenance because I got ambitious and thought I could change the lightbulb myself and it did the same thing. Super helpful!!

[colinking]

Your truck just saved another household today. Thank you sir!!!!

[DavidBaker-jk]

I was going to take the whole bottom plate of the microwave off then my conscience told me to check youtube for advise and I watched your video. Followed the advice and it worked like a charm. Thank you!

[catmom]

You're a lifesaver...thanks so much for the video. My grandson had all the pliers etc out then my daughter found this. Grandson is so impressed.

[eileengallagher]

This is perfect. I couldn’t think of any tool I had that I could use because you can’t reach the bulb straight on. Thank you so much. I can finally see the stove again.

[PatWilson]

Thank you so much! This works so well and we never ever in a million years would have come up with such an elegantly simple solution. 🎉

[edjaworski]

Great tip! I’ve removed broken bases with needle nose pliers but they always had easy access. But my situation was exactly what you show here with a microwave and it worked great! There’s some wacky tips out there and I’m so glad I found your method before I grabbed a potato or epoxy paddy. Thank you for taking the time to post this.

[karengodbey]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! At 59, I"m not afraid to try these fixes. The folks who would have come to my rescue would certainly done the same thing. It worked exactly as you said. The only twist is that I had to unscrew the metal base(s) out by hand. Your video and method gave me the understanding to get the job done. Thanks for saving me a minimum of $100 service call. GE's website wouldn't even accept my REQUEST for a service call. I have a picture of my results, but couldn't figure out how to upload it. That's another video for you, lol! Thanks!!!

[legendere]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This seems like such a simple trick, but it works marvelously. I just removed the broken socket from my Ikea microwave with your suggested approach. Fortunately, I was also able to slide out the stove which was under the microwave. That allowed me much easier access and I didn't have to contort too much. Kudos. This was a great service! The appliance manufacturers do advise that even with the power shut off or plug pulled, there is still a high-voltage capacitor inside the unit. This approach did not require any need to discharge the capacitor to replace the broken bulb and socket.

[bmsortiz]

My mind is blown how this works. Took me a few attempts to get the rubber bands to stay on and allow the bulb base to unscrew but it did indeed work and the new bulb is installed. Thank you for the helpful video.

[jimbowling]

This morning the bulb blew on my over the stove microwave and yep - when I tried to take out the bulb it broke away from the base in the socket. I tried to figure out a way the remove the base from the socket, and came close to taking the bottom cover of the microwave to access it when I decided to google the problem. The first hit was this video. I tried your method and it worked like a charm. Brilliant! I'm a pretty good dyi guy, but I dont think I would have ever figured this out on my own. Thanks a lot for sharing! Maybe you could do a video about how you figured out this method and maybe make me feel a bit less humbled. Unless, of course, it was sheer genius on your part. In that case, I stand in awe.

[zaraheart]

This just happened to me too!! Previous owners also put a dab of caulk? I think it is on the bulb and the base for whatever reason. So I had that to deal with too. Thank you for posting!! You’re a good human

[amydittmer]

Thank you so much!!! I thought when this happened it was a lost cause and I would just have to live without light on my cooktop. This worked great and I am very thankful!