Does Repairing It Yourself Void Your Warranty? "Warranty Void If Removed" in the US

The short version

• A company generally can't void your warranty just because you used third-party parts or an independent repair shop, or did the work yourself.
• It can deny a claim for damage that the outside part or repair actually caused.
• "Warranty void if removed" stickers are, in the FTC's view, generally deceptive and illegal.

What the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act says

The Act's "tie-in sales" rule says a company can't make your warranty conditional on using its own brand of parts or its own repair service, unless it provides those parts or that service free of charge, or the FTC has given it a waiver.

So a car maker can't refuse warranty repairs because you had the oil changed at an independent garage, and an appliance maker can't void the warranty because you used a generic part, as long as that part didn't cause the problem.

"Warranty void if removed" stickers

The Federal Trade Commission has warned companies that stickers and terms like "warranty void if removed" or "use of third-party parts voids warranty" are generally deceptive and illegal under federal law. It has taken action against companies over terms like these, including Harley-Davidson in 2022. Breaking a sticker or opening a device doesn't, by itself, end your warranty.

When a company can still deny the claim

The protection isn't unlimited. If an outside repair or part caused the damage, for example a shop damaged a cable while replacing a screen, the company can refuse to cover that damage. But the burden should be on it to show the connection, not on you to prove you only used its parts. Ask for any refusal, and the reason, in writing.

Right-to-repair laws

Several states, including New York, California, Minnesota and Colorado, have passed right-to-repair laws that require manufacturers of some products to make parts, tools and repair information available to owners and independent repair shops. Which products they cover varies by state.

Protect yourself when you repair

1. Use a reputable repair shop, and get an itemized receipt naming the parts used.
2. Keep that receipt with the product's original proof of purchase and warranty.
3. Photograph the device before and after the repair.
4. If a warranty claim is refused because of a repair, ask for the reason in writing, and mention the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act's tie-in sales rule.
5. If the company won't budge, report it to the FTC and your state attorney general.

For the basics of full, limited and implied warranties, see US product warranties explained.