Why Isn't My Garbage Disposal Working and How Do I Fix It?

Root cause

Food scraps, bones, fruit pits, or a stray utensil can wedge the spinning flywheel mechanism inside the disposal, causing the motor to hum (it has power) without the blades actually turning.

30-second check

Flip the switch. If you hear a hum but no grinding or spinning sound, and nothing drains, this is almost certainly your cause.

Tools & materials

The offset hex wrench that came with your disposal (a standard 1/4-inch hex key works if lost), a flashlight, long tongs or pliers.

Step-by-step

1. 1 Cut power completely: switch off the wall control, then also the breaker or unplug the unit under the sink.
2. 2 Look inside with a flashlight for obvious debris.
3. 3 Remove any visible object with tongs or pliers. Never your hand.
4. 4 Insert the hex wrench into the hex-shaped hole on the underside of the unit and turn back and forth until it moves freely (or use a broom handle from the top opening to rotate the flywheel).
5. 5 Restore power and run cold water while switching the disposal on to test.

Root cause

Grinding too much material at once can trip the disposal's internal thermal overload protector, which shuts the motor down automatically to prevent it from burning out.

30-second check

Look at the bottom of the unit for a small red reset button. If it's popped out, this is your cause.

Tools & materials

None required.

Step-by-step

1. 1 Cut power to the unit at the wall switch and breaker.
2. 2 Locate the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal housing.
3. 3 Press it firmly until it clicks back in.
4. 4 Wait 10–15 minutes if the motor feels warm, to let it cool fully before testing.
5. 5 Restore power and test with water running.

Root cause

Disposals are often plugged into a GFCI-protected outlet under the sink, or wired to a dedicated breaker. Either can trip and cut power to the unit even when the disposal itself is completely fine.

30-second check

No sound at all when you flip the switch, not even a hum, points here before anything else.

Tools & materials

None required.

Step-by-step

1. 1 Check the outlet under the sink for a GFCI with Test/Reset buttons; press Reset.
2. 2 Check your home's breaker panel for a tripped breaker and reset it.
3. 3 Confirm the disposal is fully plugged in.
4. 4 Test the switch again.

Root cause

Disposals typically last 8–12 years. A unit that still hums after a jam has been cleared, the reset button pressed, and power confirmed is often signaling a failing motor. Leaking from underneath the unit usually means the internal seals have worn out, a failure mode that isn't repairable at the component level.

30-second check

You've cleared any jam, pressed the reset button, and confirmed power, but the unit still hums or leaks from underneath.

What a professional actually does

Confirms the motor or seal failure with a multimeter and visual inspection; removes the old unit; installs a new disposal matched to your sink's plumbing and your kitchen's electrical setup, and tests for leaks and proper operation.