PurposeThis study aims to examine the plane wave reflection problem in micropolar orthotropic magneto-thermoelastic half space, considering the influence of impedance as a boundary in a nonlocal elasticity.Design/methodology/approachThis study presents the novel formulation of governing partial differential equations for micropolar orthotropic medium with impact of nonlocal thermo-elasticity under magnetic field.FindingsThis study provides the numerical results validation for a particular numerical data and expression for the amplitude ratios of reflected waves and identifies the existence of four different waves, namely, quasi longitudinal displacement qCLD-wave, quasi thermal wave qCT-wave, quasi transverse displacement qCTD-wave and quasi-transverse micro-rotational qCTM-wave. The study derives the velocity equation giving the speed and phase velocity of these waves. The study also shows that the small-scale size effect gives significant impact on phase velocity.Research limitations/implicationsThe graphical analysis examines the variation of speeds and coefficients of attenuation of these waves due to frequency, magnetic field and nonlocal parameters. Also, significant conclusions on the variation of reflection coefficient against nonlocal parameter, frequency, impedance parameter and angle of incidence are provided graphically.Practical implicationsThe creation of more effective micropolar orthotropic anisotropic materials which are very useful in the daily life and their applications in earth science are greatly impacted by the findings of this study.Originality/valueThe authors of the submitted document initiated and produced it collectively, with equal contributions from all members.