NN-S550BF Panasonic Microwave

Unplug the unit before servicing. Need phillips screwdriver. Open door. Use step ladder to access and remove 2 small screws from top of the room air diffuser at top of unit. Slide diffuser slightly to the left to align the diffuser's plastic tab on the left side to rotate toward you. (The wires for the front control panel are at the far l ... Read more eft side of this difuser, but difuser is slotted for easy removal). Once the difuser is removed you will see 1 screw at the top that secures the pannel cover on the left side of the unit. Remove screw and slide this panel slightly up and out. This exposes the plastic frame that holds the upper and lower door switches. To locate the door switches and observe how they work, close and open the door and watch the door (bayonets) open and close the micro switches. Do the (red) buttons on top of the switches move up and down when the door bayonets push and release? If the buttons do not "pop" up when opened the switch is defective. The switch frame is secured with 2 screws. Remove screws and rotate the unit out for easy access to the micro switch(s). The internal (spring?) on my unit that is suposed to allow the red (visible) button on top of the switch to "pop" up when the door is opened was broken. Carefully pry the switch outward while being careful to lift the plastic holder-piece that holds the switch in place. Be careful, there is a small pin on the frame, so rotate the switch OUT toward you while lifting (carefully) the plastic holder-piece (you will see it on top of the switch). You can use an ohm meter to test the continuity of the switches. But if the buttons don't "pop" they are defective. Replace switch and reassemble.

The light burned out about 6 months ago and I thought it would be just a matter of screwing out a bulb and replacing it with one I bought from one of the local hardware stores. I looked inside and could see no way to remove a bulb. The owner's manual did not have any info on replacing the bulb, so I called Panasonic. After waiting on t ... Read more he phone for 30 minutes the woman said I had to take it to the closest authorized repair facility which happens to be 60 miles away. I called them and they told me that it would cost about $100, twice what I paid for it.
After hearing my wife wine about not having a light, I went to the Panasonic web-site, got the schematic, found the bulb and part number.
The fix was easy. You will need a #15 security Torx driver and a Phillips driver. Remove the Phillips from the side, then the Torx screws from the edges on the back. The case can then be removed much like removing the case on a computer. The case fits into slots which hold it in place.
The bulb is easy to spot and remove. Replace the bulb and reverse the procedure for taking apart the case. Total repair cost me $17. I already had the Torx driver.

$17 for a happy wife... Priceless.

Don't forget to unplug the microwave!!

Watched a couple of repair videos on Youtube by searching for the model number. Found out what to do in order not to get shocked by the powerful capacitor.
Ordered the two switches (To be sure, I could have ordered a third switch as suggested in the videos.)
Bought a tamper-proof star bit to get the cover off. Followed the dir ... Read more ections to replace the switches. - I broke the harness and had to use some super glue, but it's all good. I should have removed the harness instead of trying to get a switch out while it was still in place.
It's all back together, and the wife is happy!!