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Home › Own › Being blocked from repairing what you own
Own: What happens after you buy · Tech & software

Being blocked from repairing what you own: fair or not?

When something you own breaks, you may find the parts are not sold, the manual is secret, or a replacement part will not work unless the maker pairs it. Some warranties claim independent repair voids your coverage. The FTC has found little evidence for many of these limits, and several states now have repair laws. Is it fair to control how people fix what they own?

Is it fair for makers to make it hard to fix things you own, or to use the repair shop of your choice?

Be one of the first to vote.

What happens

Repair limits come in many forms: glued-in batteries, special screws, parts sold only to authorized shops, and diagnostic software kept private. Parts pairing ties a part to one device by serial number, so a swapped part may not work fully or may trigger warnings unless the maker approves it.

Some warranties or stickers say repairs by others void the warranty. In 2024, FTC staff warned several companies about warranty terms requiring their own parts or service, and about warranty void if removed stickers. In 2021, the FTC's Nixing the Fix report to Congress found scant evidence supporting makers' reasons for many repair limits.

Why many people say it’s not fair

  • Owners pay for the item but cannot choose who fixes it or how.
  • Fewer repair choices can mean higher costs, pushing people to replace instead of fix.
  • Parts pairing can block working, genuine parts from used devices.
  • Warranty threats may scare people away from legal repairs.
  • Rural areas may have no authorized shop nearby.

The other side

Makers say repair limits protect safety, security, and privacy. Batteries can be dangerous if handled badly, and parts like fingerprint and face sensors protect your data, so they argue pairing helps stop stolen or fake parts. They also worry about poor-quality repairs that harm their reputation.

Many makers have expanded options in recent years. Apple now sells genuine parts, manuals, and rental tools through Self Service Repair, and Google sells genuine Pixel parts through iFixit.

Options you may not be told about

Using an independent shop or third-party parts generally cannot void your warranty under federal law, unless the maker provides those parts or service free or has an FTC waiver.
Apple's Self Service Repair offers the same manuals, genuine parts, and tools its stores use, with rental toolkits, for many iPhones, Macs, and iPads.
Google sells genuine Pixel parts through iFixit, publishes repair manuals for Pixel 6a and newer, and offers a free repair diagnostics app.
In Oregon, Colorado, and Washington, state law limits parts pairing for covered newer devices.
Several states require makers to sell parts, tools, and manuals to owners and independent shops.

What you can do

  1. Before paying for an expensive repair, get a quote from an independent shop too.
  2. Check the maker's support site for self-repair parts and manuals.
  3. If told independent repair voids your warranty, ask for that claim in writing.
  4. Keep records of who repaired what, and the parts used.
  5. Report warranty threats and repair blocks to the FTC and your state attorney general.

Rules and your rights

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act generally bars warranties that require specific parts or service unless they are free or the FTC grants a waiver; FTC staff sent warning letters in 2024. The FTC's 2021 Nixing the Fix report found scant evidence for many repair limits. New York, Minnesota, California, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington have electronics repair laws; Texas's takes effect September 1, 2026. Oregon, Colorado, and Washington limit parts pairing on covered devices.

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Common questions

Does using an independent repair shop void my warranty?

Generally no. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a maker usually cannot require you to use its own parts or service to keep a warranty unless it provides them for free or has an FTC waiver. Damage caused by a bad repair may still not be covered, so choose a reputable shop.

What is parts pairing?

Parts pairing links a part, like a screen or battery, to one specific device. A replacement part may not work fully or may show warnings until the maker approves it. Oregon, Colorado, and Washington now limit parts pairing for covered devices, though rules apply only to certain newer products.

Which states have right to repair laws for electronics?

New York, Minnesota, California, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington have laws for consumer electronics, and Texas's law takes effect September 1, 2026. Coverage, dates, and exclusions differ. Many states also have repair laws for other items like wheelchairs or farm equipment. Check your state attorney general's website.

Sources: FTC: Report to Congress on repair restrictions ('Nixing the Fix', May 2021) ↗ · FTC: Nixing the Fix report (PDF) ↗ · FTC: Warning letters on warranty practices that harm right to repair (July 2024) ↗ · PIRG: More than one-quarter of Americans covered by Right to Repair (Dec. 2025) ↗ · Engadget: Oregon's Right to Repair bill is now a law (March 2024) ↗ · Colorado General Assembly: HB24-1121 Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronic Equipment ↗ · Washington State Standard: WA consumers will gain right to repair electronics (May 2025) ↗ · Waste Dive: Texas governor signs electronics right-to-repair law (June 2025) ↗ · Apple Newsroom: Self Service Repair for iPad, expanded repair programs (May 2025) ↗ · Google: Repair your own Pixel device ↗

General information, not legal, financial or real estate advice. Whether a practice is fair is a matter of opinion; votes and shared experiences are the views of site visitors, not AblePro, Inc. Rules and company policies change; check current terms and your state’s rules.