How to Hang Microwaves

Installing your microwave is easier with two people helping.

Installing your microwave is easier with two people helping.

In most modern kitchens, the microwave sits above the stove and acts as a range hood as well as a cooking appliance. The microwave relies on a mounting bracket installed on the wall and on a few screws in the cabinet above for security. You only need a few simple tools for this project, but it's helpful to have a friend help you lift the microwave into place.


As with any appliance installation, take the proper safety precautions before beginning your job. Turn off the microwave's electrical outlet at the breaker box, and turn off the gas to the stove beneath the microwave, if applicable. Always use safety goggles, a dust mask and gloves when drilling into studs or the cabinet above the microwave. Cover the stove with a drop cloth, taping it to the wall to keep sawdust from falling behind the stove as sawdust is flammable, which could be a fire hazard in the future.

Wall Bracket

The wall bracket is the main support for the microwave. You don't want it to be visible from the front once the microwave is hung, so use a level to make sure the mounting bracket is straight. Use a stud finder to locate the studs over the stove, then drill holes in the studs using the mounting bracket as a template. When you've finished drilling, screw the mounting bracket into place. If you're installing a used microwave that didn't come with a bracket, order a new bracket from the manufacturer to make sure you have the correct size.

Top Attachments

Most new microwaves come with a top cabinet template that shows where to drill a hole for your electrical cord and the top screws. If you don't have a template, create one by tracing the top of the microwave on a piece of poster board and cutting out the locations of the screws and electrical cord hole. Transfer the template to the bottom of the cabinet. Use your drill to create holes for the screws and place a hole-cutting attachment onto the drill to make a larger hole for the microwave's electrical cord.


Although microwaves aren't too heavy, they are awkward to hold over the stove, especially while you try to fish for the electrical cord and feed it into the cabinet. It's best to have a friend help you with the installation of the microwave. Lift it up to the mounting plate, then tilt the top about 45 degrees forward. When you set the bottom in the wall bracket, you can tilt the microwave back to the wall, creating a tight lock with the bracket. Before you tilt it back, grab the electrical cord and feed it through the hole in the cabinet. While your friend holds the microwave in place, drive the screws through the holes you made in the top of the cabinet into the top of the microwave for a secure hold.

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