Garbage Disposal Humming But Not Working? How to Fix It Safely

Safety before you start

• Turn off the disposal's wall switch, then switch off its breaker or unplug the disposal under the sink.
• Never put your hand inside the disposal, even with the power off.
• Use tongs or pliers to remove objects from the chamber.
• Do not pour chemical drain cleaners into a disposal. They can damage the unit and are dangerous if you need to work on it later.

A humming motor that cannot turn heats up quickly. If yours is humming right now, turn it off before doing anything else.

Free a jammed disposal

Most disposals have a hex socket in the center of the bottom of the unit. Many come with a small hex wrench for this purpose, and a standard quarter-inch hex key fits many models.

• With the power off, insert the wrench into the socket under the disposal.
• Work it back and forth until it moves freely through a full rotation.
• Shine a flashlight into the disposal and remove anything loose with tongs, such as a bottle cap, fruit pit or piece of glass.
• Press the reset button, restore the power, run cold water, and turn the disposal on.

If your disposal has no hex socket, a wooden spoon handle can sometimes rock the turntable from above. Make sure the power is off before doing this.

If the disposal makes no sound

• Reset button. Most disposals have a red or black reset button on the bottom. The motor's thermal overload trips it when the unit overheats or jams. Wait a few minutes for it to cool, then press it firmly.
• Breaker and GFCI. Check the breaker panel and any GFCI outlets in the kitchen.
• Plug. Many disposals plug into an outlet under the sink. Make sure it is fully seated.
• Wall switch. A worn switch can fail. If the disposal is silent with power confirmed at the outlet, the switch or wiring may be the cause, and electrical work should be left to a professional.

What jams a disposal

Disposals handle soft food scraps, but some items are hard on them.

• Fruit pits, bones and shells.
• Fibrous foods like celery, corn husks and onion skins, which wrap around the turntable.
• Grease and oil, which harden and coat the chamber and pipes.
• Pasta, rice and potato peels, which swell and form a paste.
• Non-food items: bottle caps, twist ties, silverware and glass.
• Eggshells and coffee grounds in large amounts, which can build up as a sludge in the drain line.

Run cold water before, during and for a few seconds after grinding, and feed scraps in gradually rather than all at once. Cold water keeps fats solid so they can be chopped and flushed instead of coating the pipes. Running the disposal briefly every few days also keeps rust and corrosion from seizing the turntable in a disposal that sits unused.

Other disposal problems

A disposal that runs but drains slowly may have a clog in the trap or pipe below it. A leak from the bottom of the unit often means the internal seals have failed, which usually calls for replacing the disposal. Leaks at the sink flange or the dishwasher connection can sometimes be tightened.

Odors are another common complaint. Grinding a handful of ice cubes followed by a rinse with cold water helps knock buildup off the grinding parts, and a little dish soap with running water cleans the chamber. Citrus peels are often recommended for freshening, but use small pieces so they do not jam the unit.

If your dishwasher drains into the disposal and backs up into the sink, a clogged disposal is often the cause. Our dishwasher repair page covers drain problems on the dishwasher side.

When to call a technician

Call if the disposal still hums after you freed the jam and pressed reset, if the reset button keeps tripping, if the disposal is silent with power at the outlet, if it leaks from the bottom, or if it makes loud grinding noises when empty. A worn motor or a cracked housing usually means replacement rather than repair.

Mr. Fixer provides garbage disposal repair and replacement in homes across Metro Atlanta, including the Atlanta, Roswell and Kennesaw areas. We can also install a new disposal through our appliance installation service. Technicians work Monday through Friday, and scheduling is open around the clock at (678) 866-3669 or through our booking page.

FAQs