Household Atlas
Household Atlas
Sinks & disposals

Garbage Disposal Not Working? Humming, Silent or Slow, Here Is the Fix

Most dead disposals are not broken. They are jammed, overheated or switched off somewhere you did not think to look, and the fix takes a hex key and five minutes.

By Household Atlas Editors Updated 3-minute read 3 sources

Quick answer

If the disposal hums but does not spin, something is jammed between the turntable and the grinding ring: switch it off, turn the hex socket on the bottom back and forth with the wrench that came with it (or a 1/4-inch Allen key), remove the object with tongs and press the red reset button. If it is completely silent, press the reset button, then check the wall switch, the plug under the sink and the breaker.

Difficulty
Easy DIY
Hums but won’t spin
Jammed. Free it with the hex key
Completely silent
Reset button, plug, switch or breaker
Tool you need
1/4-inch Allen key or the disposal’s own wrench
Never
Put your hand in the chamber
On this page

A garbage disposal is a motor under the sink that spins a turntable. Lugs on the turntable fling food against a stationary grinding ring until the pieces are small enough to wash down the drain. When it fails, the sound it makes, or does not make, tells you almost everything.

Never put your hand into a disposal, even with the switch off. Cut the power at the switch and unplug it or turn off its breaker before working on it, and use tongs or pliers to remove anything from the chamber.

What the sound tells you

What happens when you flip the switch Cause Fix
Low hum, nothing turns Jam: something is wedged between the turntable and the grinding ring Free it with the hex key, remove the object, reset
Nothing at all Overload protector tripped, or no power Press the reset button; check the plug, switch and breaker
Runs a few seconds, then stops Overheating from a partial jam or overload Clear it, let it cool, reset, run with more cold water
Runs, but water drains slowly Clog in the drain line or trap below the disposal Clear the trap; avoid fibrous and starchy food
Runs with a metallic rattle or grinding Utensil, bottle cap or bone in the chamber Power off, remove it with tongs
Water under the sink Loose sink flange, drain or dishwasher connection, or a cracked body Tighten fittings; a leaking body means replacement

If it hums: free the jam

  1. Turn it off and cut the power.

    Switch off the wall switch, then unplug the disposal under the sink or turn off its breaker.

  2. Find the hex socket.

    It is dead center on the bottom of the unit, facing the floor. Most disposals came with a small crank-shaped wrench; a standard 1/4-inch Allen key fits most models.

  3. Work it back and forth.

    Turn the wrench in both directions until the turntable rotates a full turn freely. It is fine to use some force: InSinkErator says its wrench is designed to bend before the disposal is damaged.

  4. Remove what caused the jam.

    Shine a flashlight into the sink opening and pull out the object with tongs or pliers.

  5. Let it cool, then press the reset button.

    The red button on the bottom pops out when the motor’s overload protector trips. Give the motor up to 20 minutes to cool, then press the button until it clicks.

  6. Test with cold water running.

    Restore power, run a strong stream of cold water and switch it on. It should spin up smoothly.

Some models have no hex socket on the bottom. For those, InSinkErator suggests turning the turntable from above with a wooden spoon handle, with the power off.

If it is silent: find the power

  1. Press the reset button. If it was tripped, it will click and stay in.
  2. Check the plug under the sink. Disposals are often plugged into an outlet controlled by the wall switch, and plugs get knocked loose.
  3. Check the breaker in the panel, and any GFCI outlet that might feed the kitchen circuit.
  4. Air-switch models (a button on the countertop instead of a wall switch) use a small air tube to a control box. If the tube is loose or the control has failed, the disposal will not start.
  5. If it still does nothing after a reset, with power confirmed at the outlet, the motor or its switch has likely failed.

Just installed a new dishwasher or disposal? A new disposal has a knockout plug in its dishwasher inlet. If the dishwasher hose was connected without knocking it out, the dishwasher will not drain. See why a dishwasher won’t drain.

Keep it running

  • Run cold water before, during and for several seconds after grinding.
  • Feed food gradually rather than all at once.
  • Keep grease, fibrous peels, large bones, pits and non-food items out.
  • Grind a few ice cubes now and then to knock buildup off the grinding parts.
  • Use it regularly; long idle periods let residue harden and parts corrode.

Repair or replace?

A disposal that hums after the jam is cleared, trips the reset under light loads, or leaks from the housing is usually at the end of its life. With a typical lifespan of about 12 years and a modest price, replacement is often more sensible than a motor repair. The repair or replace calculator puts numbers on it.

Bottom lineHumming means jammed: power off, turn the hex socket on the bottom, pull out the object and press reset. Silence means power: reset button, plug, switch, breaker. Keep your hands out of the chamber, always.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?

On the bottom of the unit under the sink, or low on the side. It is a small red button. When the motor’s overload protector has tripped, the button sticks out a little. Press it until it clicks.

Why does my garbage disposal keep tripping the reset button?

The motor is overheating. Common reasons are a partial jam, feeding too much at once, running it without enough cold water, or a worn motor. Clear any jam, feed food gradually with a strong flow of cold water, and let it cool before resetting. If it trips during light use, the motor may be failing.

Can I use drain cleaner in a garbage disposal?

Avoid it. Chemical drain cleaners can damage the disposal and splash back if you later have to open the drain. For a slow drain, clear the trap under the sink or call a plumber.

What should not go in a garbage disposal?

Grease and oil, fibrous peels and stalks (celery, corn husks, artichokes), large bones, fruit pits, coffee grounds in quantity, and anything that is not food: glass, metal, twist ties and utensils. Fibrous and starchy foods are the usual cause of slow drains.

How long does a garbage disposal last?

InterNACHI’s life expectancy chart lists about 12 years. A unit that leaks from the body, rather than from a fitting, usually needs replacing.

Sources

  1. Fixing a Jammed Garbage Disposal InSinkErator
  2. How to Reset Your Garbage Disposer Whirlpool
  3. Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)

First published October 7, 2026. Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Spot an error? Tell us and we will check it against the source.

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