If you rely on your microwave daily, discovering that your microwave turntable not spinning is incredibly frustrating—it leads to uneven heating, cold spots, and generally unusable food! I recently ran into this exact issue with my reliable Breville BM0870 BSS, and instead of taking it to a repair shop or buying a whole new unit, I decided to tackle the fix myself. I’m happy to report that this is one of the easiest and most cost-effective appliance repairs you can do. The culprit was a simple, inexpensive motor, and the whole fix took me less than 20 minutes and cost under $15! The hardest part was just knowing how to safely open the microwave cabinet, which required one specific, but common, tool: a security Torx bit. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to swap out the motor and solve the Breville microwave not spinning issue.
Diagnosis: Confirming the Motor is the Issue
Before you start unscrewing anything, it’s smart to take a minute and confirm that the turntable motor is actually the problem. Appliance issues can sometimes hide behind simple fixes!
Quick Check 1: The Easy Fixes
First, rule out the absolute simplest problems:
- Is the Glass Plate Centered? Make sure the glass turntable is sitting correctly on the plastic or metal coupler (the piece that connects to the motor spindle).
- Is the Roller Ring Clean and Seated? The plastic ring with small wheels needs to be sitting correctly in the groove on the microwave floor. Sometimes, crumbs or liquid can gum up the wheels, preventing them from turning.
- Is the Coupler Damaged? Take the glass plate off and inspect the plastic or metal coupler piece. If the little teeth are stripped or cracked, that piece is the problem, not the motor. These are usually very cheap to replace.
Quick Check 2: Power and Heating
If the quick checks above didn’t solve the issue, run the microwave for 30 seconds (maybe with a cup of water inside).
- Does the Microwave Heat? If the cup of water is warm, the main magnetron and power supply are working fine.
- Do the Fan and Light Work? If the interior light comes on and the cooling fan is running, the microwave is getting adequate power to run auxiliary functions.
Diagnosis Conclusion
If your Breville BM0870 BSS heats food and all the lights/fans work, but the spindle in the middle of the floor isn’t turning (and the coupler isn’t stripped), then the problem is almost certainly the turntable motor itself. Now you can move on to the actual repair, confident that you have the correct diagnosis!
This is the part where we get ready for the hands-on work! Getting the right tools before you start is the key to a quick and frustration-free repair.
Tools & Supplies Needed
You won’t need a huge array of tools for this fix, but the one you absolutely must have is a specific screwdriver bit. Since appliance manufacturers often use tamper-resistant screws, we need a special driver to get the job done.
Essential Tools
- Screwdriver Handle: Any standard handle that accepts interchangeable bits.
- The Critical Bit: Security Torx: This is the most important tool for this specific Breville model (BM0870 BSS). Security Torx screws look like a star with a small pin in the center, and you need a corresponding bit with a hole in the tip to remove them. While the size can vary, you’ll most likely need a T15 or T20 size. If you don’t already own one, you can often buy a small set of security bits for under $10.
- Small Container: Crucial for holding the cabinet screws—you don’t want to lose these!
Supplies
- Replacement Turntable Motor: This is the heart of your repair. Make sure you order a motor compatible with the Breville BM0870 BSS (or the general type used in many Breville models). They are rated by Voltage (V), RPM (revolutions per minute), and Wattage (W), but as long as you search specifically for the Breville part, you should get the correct one. These typically cost around $10–$15 online.
- Safety Gloves (Recommended): The edges of the metal microwave casing can sometimes be sharp. Wear thin work gloves to protect your hands while handling the cabinet.
Once you have your motor and that security Torx bit in hand, you’re ready to proceed to the repair!
This is the main event! Follow these steps carefully. The most important thing here is safety, as microwaves contain electrical components that can hold a high-voltage charge even when unplugged.
Step-by-Step Repair Guide
Step 1: Safety First! UNPLUG THE MICROWAVE.
This is the most critical step. Locate the power cord and unplug the microwave from the wall outlet. Microwave components, specifically the large capacitor, can store a lethal electrical charge for a long time, even after the unit is off. Keep your hands away from any large cylindrical components inside the microwave.
DIY Pro Tip: When working with microwaves be very careful. My unit had a warning to not remove the cover. Proceed at your own risk.
Step 2: Remove Glass Plate and Roller Ring
When moving the microwave, it is recommended to remove the glass plate and roller ring from inside. You most likely will need to turn the microwave upside down to perform this repair and you do not want to damage the glass plate.
Step 3: Accessing the Motor
- Remove the Outer Cover: Turn the microwave onto its side or back to expose the screws securing the metal cabinet cover. These are typically located along the back and maybe a few on the bottom lip.
- Use the Security Torx Bit: This is where that special tool comes in! Use your Security Torx bit (likely a T15 or T20) to remove all the screws holding the cover in place.
- Lift the Cover: Carefully slide the outer metal cover backward and lift it off. Set it aside where it won’t scratch any surfaces.
Step 4: Locating and Accessing the Motor
- Locate the Motor: Once the cover is off, look at the bottom of the microwave cabinet (the floor of the internal cavity). The turntable motor is usually located in the front or center, bolted to the floor plate.
- Flip the Microwave: To access the motor screws, you may need to carefully turn the microwave upside down. Place a towel or blanket down first to protect the unit’s plastic face. The motor will now be clearly visible from the bottom. Make sure you removed the glass tray and roller ring first.
Step 5: Removing the Old Motor
- Disconnect the Wires: The motor will have two wires connected to it. Note which terminal each wire goes to (though these motors are usually non-polarized, meaning the wire color generally doesn’t matter). Gently pull the wires off the motor terminals.
- Remove Mounting Screws: Use your regular screwdriver to remove the two or three small screws holding the motor in place against the bottom metal plate.
- Swap the Motor: Once the screws are out, the old motor should drop down and be free.
In order to determine what motor I needed, I first opened the unit and looked at the original motor. I was able to find the replacement motor on Amazon by searching for “TYJ50-8A19“.
Step 6: Installing the New Motor
- Align and Mount: Take your new replacement motor and carefully align the mounting holes with the screw holes in the bottom plate.
- Secure the Motor: Re-insert the mounting screws and tighten them securely.
- Reconnect the Wires: Reconnect the two wires to the motor terminals. Double-check that they are firmly seated.
Step 7: Reassembly & Testing
- Replace the Cover: Turn the microwave right-side up. Slide the outer metal cover back onto the frame, making sure it seats properly around all edges.
- Secure the Cover: Reinsert and tighten all the Security Torx screws you removed in Step 2.
- Test: Plug the microwave back into the wall outlet. Place the turntable plate and roller ring back inside, put a glass of water on the plate, and run the microwave for 30 seconds.
If everything went well, your turntable should now be spinning smoothly, and you’ve successfully fixed your Breville BM0870 BSS for under $15!
Conclusion: Final Thoughts & Cost Breakdown
Congratulations! If you followed the steps above, your Breville BM0870 BSS microwave should be spinning like new again. You successfully diagnosed and fixed the core issue—the microwave turntable not spinning—and didn’t have to hire an expensive repair technician or replace the entire appliance.
A Satisfying Cost Breakdown
The best part of this repair is the price tag. While a new Breville microwave might cost you a few hundred dollars, and a technician visit could easily exceed $100, your final cost likely looks something like this:
| Item | Estimated Cost |
| Replacement Turntable Motor | $10.00 – $14.00 |
| Security Torx Bit (If purchased) | $5.00 – $8.00 |
| TOTAL DIY COST | Under $15.00 |
That’s a huge win for your wallet and a great piece of proof that simple appliance repairs are often well within the reach of any DIYer, even when they involve special tools like the security Torx bit.
It’s truly satisfying to keep a perfectly good appliance out of the landfill just by replacing one small, inexpensive part. I hope this guide helps you keep your Breville microwave heating evenly for years to come!
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