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Garbage Disposal Not Working? 7 Fixes to Try First

By HomeFixCodes Editorial TeamPublished 9 min read

Illustrated under-sink cabinet with a teal garbage disposal, its reset button on the bottom, a hex wrench on the cabinet floor and an amber warning sign

Quick Answer

When a garbage disposal stops working, the makers' guides point first to a jam, a tripped reset button or a clog. Cut power before you check anything. On many units, turn a 1/4-inch hex wrench in the bottom socket to free a jam, lift debris out with tongs (never your hand), then press the reset button. If the button won't stay in or water comes from the unit itself, call a pro or plan on a replacement.

On this page
  1. Why is my garbage disposal not working?
  2. What should you do before you reach under the sink?
  3. How do you fix a garbage disposal that's not working?
  4. Why does a garbage disposal hum but not spin?
  5. When should you replace a garbage disposal or call a pro?
  6. What should you keep out of a garbage disposal?
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Our Take
  9. Sources

Key Takeaways

  • A disposal that hums but won't grind is often jammed; a silent one may have lost power or tripped its overload protector.
  • Turn the wall switch off and unplug the unit or switch off its breaker before any check. Never put your hand in the grinding chamber.
  • InSinkErator's fix for a jam is a 1/4-inch Allen wrench in the bottom socket, followed by the red reset button.
  • Caustic drain cleaners, grease and hard items such as shells and large bones do not belong in a disposal.
  • A reset button that will not stay in, water coming from the unit itself or a recalled model means calling a pro or replacing the disposal, not another DIY fix.

Why is my garbage disposal not working?

The sound the disposal makes when you flip the switch is the fastest clue. Inside are a motor, a grinding plate (turntable) with impellers, and an overload protector that cuts power when the motor works too hard. Waste King explains that when the grinding plate jams, the motor can overheat and trip that protector, which is a built-in safety feature [5].

What you noticeLikely causeStart with
No sound at allSwitch, plug or breaker off, or the overload protector trippedFix 1 and Fix 2
Hums but does not spinJammed grinding plateFix 3 and Fix 4
Runs, but the sink drains slowlyClog in the disposal or the drain lineFix 5
Bad smell or debris at the splash guardFood buildup on the splash guardFix 6
Water under the sinkLoose mount, discharge or failed sealFix 7

InSinkErator offers a quick way to separate a clog from a jam. With water in the sink, switch the disposal on and look for a whirlpool. If you see one, the drain line may be clogged; if the disposal runs with no whirlpool, the problem may be a jam [3].

Garbage disposal symptom checkerSwitch the disposal on with cold water running and note what happens. Silent: check the switch, plug and breaker, then the reset button. Hums but won't spin: it is likely jammed, so cut power, turn the hex wrench, remove debris with tongs and press reset. Runs but the sink backs up: use a plunger, then clean the splash guard. Water under the sink: find where it drips, at the mount, the discharge or the body. Cut power before any check and never use your hand. Switch it on with cold water running.What happens? Silent Power: switch, plug, breaker,then the reset button Hums butwon't spin Jam: power off, hex wrench,tongs, then reset Runs, but sinkbacks up Clog: plunger, then cleanthe splash guard Water underthe sink Leak: find where it drips:mount, discharge or body Cut power before any check under the sink.Never put your hand in the disposal.
Match what the disposal does when you switch it on to the fix to try first.

What should you do before you reach under the sink?

Cut the power before you touch any part of the disposal, and never put your hand in the grinding chamber. InSinkErator's first step is to make sure the disposal's switch is off, and it repeats that you should not place your hand in the disposal at any time [1]. Waste King goes one step further: unplug the unit or switch off the breaker, depending on how it is wired [5]. We recommend doing both: switch off, then unplug or flip the breaker, so nobody can start the motor while you work.

Gather a flashlight, tongs or pliers, the wrench that came with the disposal (or a 1/4-inch Allen wrench) and a towel. If the sink is full of water, let it drain or bail it out first. A hardwired disposal with no plug is turned off at the breaker or fuse box.

How do you fix a garbage disposal that's not working?

Start with the fix the table above points to; if it does not solve the problem, continue down the list. Each one starts with the power off. Restore power only when a step says to test the unit.

Garbage disposal parts you checkA disposal hangs below the sink on a mounting assembly. The dishwasher inlet is on the upper side and the discharge tube leaves the other side toward the drain trap. On the bottom of an InSinkErator unit are the hex socket for a 1/4-inch wrench and the red reset button. Other brands may place parts differently. Under the sink: the parts you check Mountingassembly Dishwasherinlet Discharge tube Hex socket(1/4-inch wrench) Reset button(red, press in) InSinkErator layout. Other brands differ.
Where to find the parts each fix uses. The hex socket and reset button sit on the bottom of InSinkErator units; check your manual for other brands.

Fix 1: Check the switch, plug and breaker

If the disposal is completely silent, confirm it is getting power. Make sure the plug under the sink is fully seated, then check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker or a blown fuse [1] [5]. Some disposals run from a push-button air switch on the countertop instead of a wall switch. If a tripped breaker trips again as soon as you reset it, stop and call an electrician.

Fix 2: Press the reset button

The overload protector shuts the motor off when it jams or overheats. On InSinkErator models it is a small red square button on the bottom of the unit, facing the floor. When it has tripped, the button sits about a quarter inch (5 mm) lower than normal. Gently press it; if it does not stay up, wait ten minutes and try again [2]. Waste King says to push its reset button until it clicks and stays in [5].

For EZ Connect models, InSinkErator's reset step is to switch off (or unplug an air-switch model) and let the unit cool for up to 20 minutes [2].

Fix 3: Turn the hex wrench to free a jam

InSinkErator's jam guide is the one to follow for a disposal that hums, and the bottom socket lets you free the plate without reaching into the sink. With the power off, insert the self-service wrench (or a 1/4-inch Allen wrench) into the hole in the center of the bottom. Work it back and forth like a crank until it turns full circles in both directions. InSinkErator says some force is fine because the wrench is designed to bend before the disposal is damaged [1].

Not every model has a bottom socket. For InSinkErator Builder Series, Amana and ES units, InSinkErator describes turning the turntable from above with a wooden spoon, with the power off [1]. Waste King's FAQ describes the same move with a wooden spoon or an unjamming wrench pushed against an impeller [5]. Once it moves freely, press the reset button again.

Fix 4: Remove the object with tongs or pliers

Whatever caused the jam is often still inside. Shine a flashlight into the grinding chamber and look around the teeth at the edge of the plate. Lift out bottle caps, bones or other objects with tongs or pliers, never with your fingers. Then turn on the water, restore power and switch on the disposal. If it jams again, repeat Fix 3 [1].

Fix 5: Plunge a clogged disposal

If the motor runs but water stands in the sink, the clog is likely in the drain line or the disposal outlet. Keep the power off while you plunge. Block the second drain of a double sink with a stopper, fill the sink with about four inches of water, and set a plunger over the disposal opening. InSinkErator says to pull the plunger upward quickly and repeat several times, then run water and the disposal for a minute or two once the clog breaks free [3].

Do not pour a caustic drain cleaner into the disposal. Waste King lists it among the things that should never go down a disposal [5]. If your dishwasher drains through the disposal (Waste King notes its disposals accept dishwasher drain hoses), a clogged disposal can also leave water in the dishwasher. Our guide to a dishwasher that won't drain covers that side.

Fix 6: Clean the splash guard and flush with baking soda

Waste King lists three signs of a jammed disposal: an unusual noise, waste building up at the splash guard or sink flange, and a rotten-food smell from the sink opening. It adds that most odors come from food stuck under the splash guard [5]. With the power disconnected, scrub the underside of the splash guard and the upper lip of the chamber with a scouring pad through the sink opening [3].

For loose buildup, InSinkErator suggests filling the sink halfway with warm water, adding a quarter cup of baking soda, then pulling the stopper as you switch the disposal on [3]. If the smell is coming from the dishwasher instead, see our guide to a dishwasher that smells.

Fix 7: Find where a leak starts

Dry the disposal with a towel, run water, and watch where the first drop appears. InSinkErator sorts leaks by location: a leak at the top points to the mounting assembly, and a leak at the discharge points to the discharge connection, each with its own installation fix [4]. A loose dishwasher hose clamp at the inlet is also worth a look. If water seems to come from the body of the unit rather than a connection, there is no fitting for you to tighten, so call a plumber or the manufacturer.

Why does a garbage disposal hum but not spin?

A hum with no grinding usually means the motor has power but the plate cannot turn. An object wedged between the plate and the chamber wall can hold the plate still while the motor strains. Waste King explains that a jammed plate can overheat the motor and trip the overload protector, so a hum can turn into silence once the protector cuts out [5].

Switch it off right away, then work through Fixes 3 and 4 and press reset. If the wrench turns freely, the chamber is empty and it still only hums, the motor or its internal parts may have failed.

When should you replace a garbage disposal or call a pro?

Waste King gives a useful order: if the turntable spins freely and the reset button has not tripped, look for a short or broken wire at the disposal, the switch, the fuse box or the breaker. If the wiring is fine, the unit may have an internal fault and need replacing [5]. Leave wiring checks to a licensed electrician.

Plan on a repair or a new unit when:

  • The reset button will not stay in after the motor has cooled and the jam is cleared.
  • The disposal only hums even though the wrench turns freely and the chamber is empty.
  • Water seems to come from the body of the unit rather than a connection.

Check for a recall too. In April 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of about 146,000 disposals sold under brands such as Waste King, Kenmore, Frigidaire, Moen and others, because a metal component could break off and come out of the unit during use. CPSC told owners to stop using recalled units and contact Anaheim Manufacturing for a free replacement [6]. The brand, model and serial number are on a label on the bottom or side of the disposal.

What should you keep out of a garbage disposal?

Many repeat jams start with what goes down the drain. Waste King says most food waste is fine with a strong flow of water, including vegetable peels, small bones and fruit pits. It lists the items to keep out: large whole bones, clam and oyster shells, whole corn husks, glass, china, plastic, bottle caps, tin, aluminum foil, utensils, caustic drain cleaner, hot grease and other hot liquids [5].

What can go down a disposalFine with a strong flow of cold water: most food scraps, vegetable peels, small bones and fruit pits. Keep out: large whole bones, clam or oyster shells, whole corn husks, glass, china and plastic, bottle caps, foil and utensils, caustic drain cleaner, and grease or hot liquids. Based on Waste King's FAQ and InSinkErator's tips. Fine to grind Keep out Most food scraps Vegetable peels Small bones Fruit pits Large whole bones Clam, oyster shells Whole corn husks Glass, china, plastic Caps, foil, utensils Caustic drain cleaner Grease, hot liquids Run cold water while grinding and for a few seconds after. Lists: Waste King FAQ; water tip: InSinkErator.
What the makers say can and cannot go down a disposal. Check your own model's manual, because lists vary by brand.

Water matters too. InSinkErator recommends a moderate flow of cold water while grinding, keeping it running for a few seconds afterward, avoiding hot water while grinding, and never pouring grease or fat into the disposal or drain [1]. For more guides like this one, browse our Small Appliances & Disposals section or all dishwasher repair guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a chemical drain cleaner in a garbage disposal?

No. Waste King lists caustic drain cleaner among the things that should not go down a disposal. Use a plunger first, and call a plumber if the clog is further down the drain line.

Is it safe to reach into a garbage disposal if it's turned off?

No. Both InSinkErator and Waste King say never to put your hand in the disposal. Cut the power, then use tongs or pliers to lift out objects and the bottom wrench or a wooden spoon to free the plate.

Why does my garbage disposal reset button keep popping out?

The overload protector trips when the motor works too hard, for example when the plate jams. Clear the jam, wait ten minutes and press the button again. If it still will not stay in, the disposal likely needs service or replacement.

Our Take

We think most "dead" disposals are worth ten minutes of checking before anyone buys a new one, because the makers' own guides put a tripped reset button, a jam and a clog at the top of the list, and all three can be cleared with a wrench, tongs and a plunger. The one rule we would not bend is power: switch it off, then unplug it or flip the breaker, and keep your hands out of the chamber. In our view, a reset button that will not hold or water seeping from the body is the point to stop, since no tool in the kitchen drawer fixes a worn motor or a failed seal. It is also worth a minute to check the model label against CPSC recalls.

Sources

  1. Fixing a Jammed Garbage Disposal. InSinkErator.
  2. Resetting a Garbage Disposal. InSinkErator.
  3. Fixing a Clogged Garbage Disposal. InSinkErator.
  4. Garbage Disposal Leaking. InSinkErator.
  5. Frequently Asked Questions. Waste King.
  6. Anaheim and Moen Recall Garbage Disposals. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2017.

Repair information is general guidance. Unplug the appliance and shut off water or gas before working on it, follow your owner's manual, and call a qualified technician for gas, refrigerant or high-voltage work. Spotted an error? Tell us.