Garbage Disposal Not Working: Common Fixes Before Calling a Plumber

A garbage disposal that stops working is usually not a serious plumbing problem. Most failures come down to one of a handful of causes, all of which have straightforward fixes. Before calling a plumber, work through these steps - you will resolve the problem most of the time.

Check If It Is Getting Power

This sounds obvious, but it is the first thing to verify. Make sure the disposal is plugged in under the sink. Then check whether the outlet it is connected to is on a GFCI circuit - the electrical outlets with the Test and Reset buttons. These are common under sinks and in kitchens. If the GFCI tripped, press the Reset button. That alone fixes a surprising number of disposal calls.

Also check your circuit breaker panel. A disposal that draws too much current can trip the breaker for that circuit.

Press the Reset Button on the Disposal Itself

Most garbage disposals have a small reset button on the bottom of the unit - look underneath for a red or black button. When the disposal overheats from overloading or jamming, an internal thermal overload trips and the unit shuts off.

Wait about ten minutes for the motor to cool, then press the reset button firmly until you feel a click. Try running the disposal again.

Clear a Jam

If you hear the motor humming but the disposal will not spin, the grinding plate is jammed. Running it in this state will burn out the motor, so turn it off immediately.

Most disposals come with an Allen wrench (hex key) sized to fit a socket in the center of the unit's base. Insert the wrench and manually turn the grinding plate back and forth to free whatever is jamming it. Work it until it rotates freely.

Once cleared, remove the wrench, press the reset button, and try the disposal again.

Remove the Obstruction From the Top

With the disposal turned off and unplugged, use tongs or needle-nose pliers to reach into the disposal from above and remove any visible obstruction. Never put your hand in - even with the power off.

Common culprits: small bones, fruit pits, bottle caps, broken glass, silverware that slipped in. Once the object is removed, plug the unit back in, press reset, and test.

Run Water While Using It

Disposals need water flowing while they run. Dry grinding generates excess heat, jams the plate, and wears the grinding components faster. Always run cold water for a few seconds before turning on the disposal, keep it running while grinding, and let it run for about ten seconds after you turn the disposal off.

What the Disposal Should Not Handle

Some materials cause problems regardless of how you use the disposal: fibrous items like celery and banana peels wrap around the grinding plate. Large amounts of starchy foods - pasta, rice, potato peels - expand and clog the drain. Grease and oil coat the inside of the drain pipe. Very hard bones exceed the grinding capacity of most home units. Coffee grounds in large quantities accumulate in the trap.

When to Call a Plumber

Call a plumber or appliance technician if the motor hums but will not turn even after clearing the jam and pressing reset, water leaks from the body of the disposal itself, the unit makes grinding or metal-on-metal sounds after clearing an obstruction, or the disposal is more than ten to fifteen years old and has stopped working - replacement is often more cost-effective than repair.

Sources and editorial notes

Prices and permit requirements vary by location, property, equipment, and scope. Treat price ranges as planning estimates and confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and contractor.

• US Consumer Product Safety Commission - home safety

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