Purpose This paper aims to propose an improved reinforcement learning-based fuzzy-PID controller for load frequency control (LFC) of an island microgrid. Design/methodology/approach To evaluate the performance of the proposed controller, three different types of controllers including optimal proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, optimal fuzzy PID controller and the proposed reinforcement learning-based fuzzy-PID controller are compared. Optimal PID controller and classic fuzzy-PID controller parameters are tuned using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II algorithm to minimize overshoot, settling time and integral square error over a wide range of load variations. The simulations are carried out using MATLAB/SIMULINK package. Findings Simulation results indicated the superiority of the proposed reinforcement learning-based controller over fuzzy-PID and optimal-PID controllers in the same operational conditions. Originality/value In this paper, an improved reinforcement learning-based fuzzy-PID controller is proposed for LFC of an island microgrid. The main advantage of the reinforcement learning-based controllers is their hardiness behavior along with uncertainties and parameters variations. Also, they do not need any knowledge about the system under control; thus, they can control any large system with high nonlinearities.