Quick answer
If a disposal hums but will not spin, it is jammed. Turn the switch off, never put your hand inside, and use the hex key to turn the motor under the unit back and forth until it spins freely. Then press the red reset button. If it leaks, the location tells you whether a fix or replacement is needed.
Safety first
Never put your hand into a garbage disposal, even when it is off. InSinkErator's instructions say: do not place your hand in the garbage disposal at any time. Use tongs or pliers to remove anything you can see.
Make sure the switch is off before you begin. For extra safety, turn off the breaker or unplug the unit if it is on a plug-in cord. A disposal that is only switched off could be turned on by someone else while you are working. If the sink has water in it, let it drain or bail it out with a pot first.
What humming, silence and clicking mean
A humming sound with no grinding means the motor is getting power but the grinding plate is stuck, usually because of a food chunk or a hard object lodged against it.
Silence when you flip the switch can mean the overload protector tripped. Many disposals have a small red reset button on the bottom of the unit that pops when the motor overheats or strains. It can also mean a tripped breaker, a loose connection or a dead motor.
If the disposal is humming, do not keep turning the switch on and off. Repeated attempts can overheat the motor.
How to clear a jam
These steps follow InSinkErator's published instructions for most units. Model-specific variations are noted below. If you have a different brand, check the owner's manual.
- Turn the disposal switch off. Do not reach into the chamber.
- Look under the sink. Find the hole at the center of the bottom of the unit. Insert the hex key (the Jam Buster wrench that shipped with the unit, or a standard 1/4-inch Allen wrench) and turn it like a crank.
- Work it back and forth, using some force. The wrench is designed to bend before the disposal is damaged. Keep turning until it spins freely in full circles in both directions.
- Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit. A tripped button sits about a quarter inch lower than normal. If it will not stay in, wait ten minutes and try again.
- Use a flashlight to look in the chamber, especially at the teeth around the edge of the grinding plate. Remove any object you see with tongs or pliers.
- Turn on the cold water, then the disposal. If it jams again, repeat the process, which may take several tries.
Model differences and overload resets
InSinkErator says some models differ. On EZ Connect units, turn off the disposer and water, put the wrench in the center hole on the bottom and turn one full revolution. On Builder Series, Amana and ES units, you can turn the turntable in either direction with a wooden spoon.
EZ Connect units have an automatic overload switch rather than a red button. For a wall switch, turn it off and let the disposer cool for up to 20 minutes. For a push-button air switch, turn the disposer off and unplug it for up to 20 minutes.
If the motor still does not run after a reset, check your service panel for a tripped breaker or blown fuse. We do not do electrical work. If the problem is in the wiring, outlet or panel, you will need an electrician.
What never to put in a disposal
The manufacturer's one firm rule is no fats, oils or grease. InSinkErator says never to put them in a disposal or down any drain, because they cool and build up in the pipes and are a common cause of plumbing problems.
Coffee grounds and eggshells do not damage the unit itself, but they settle like sediment in the pipes. Add them gradually with a strong flow of cold water, or put them in the compost instead.
The City of Bellevue also notes that grease and food scraps in sinks and disposals build up over time and can eventually block the sewer line. Beyond food, keep non-food items out: utensils, bottle caps, glass, plastic and anything that is not food waste.
Good habits help. Run a steady stream of cool water before turning the disposal on, switch it on before adding scraps, and feed food in slowly rather than all at once. Let the water run for a few seconds after the grinding sound stops to carry waste down the pipe. Avoid hot water while grinding.
Where leaks come from and what they mean
Turn the disposal off, dry everything and run a little water to see where the drip starts. The location points to the cause.
- Top, where the unit meets the sink: the sink flange or mounting seal has failed. This often means the unit has to be removed and resealed.
- Side, at the drain pipe: a loose or worn connection or gasket. Tightening the connection or replacing the gasket may fix it.
- Side, at the dishwasher hose: a loose clamp or a damaged hose. Tighten the clamp or replace the hose.
- Bottom, only while running: worn internal seals near the motor are a common cause. If water comes from the bottom or from a crack in the housing, the unit is usually at the end of its life.
- A leak from the sink faucet or supply line may be running down into the cabinet and look like a disposal leak. Check these too.
When to replace instead of repair
Replace the unit if the housing is cracked or leaking from the body, if internal seals have failed, if it jams repeatedly even after clearing, or if the motor does not run after a proper reset. Repair parts like gaskets, hoses and clamps are different: those can be replaced without changing the whole disposal.
Appliance Parts Pros notes that a significantly damaged housing is likely beyond repair. We are not aware of an age cutoff that applies across brands, so base the decision on the symptoms and the cost of repair.
When to call Pyper
Call a plumber if the hex key will not turn the motor, if the disposal keeps jamming, if water is leaking from the body or the sink flange, or if the sink drains slowly even when the disposal is running. A backed-up sink may point to a clog in the drain line, not the disposal.
Pyper Plumbing repairs and replaces garbage disposals and clears drains across Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties. We do not do electrical work, so a unit that has power problems at the outlet or panel will need an electrician. If you are unsure, shut off the switch and call us.
Common questions
Why is my garbage disposal humming but not spinning?
The grinding plate is probably jammed by food or a hard object. Turn the switch off, use the hex key in the center hole on the bottom to turn the motor back and forth until it spins freely, then press the red reset button.
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
On most InSinkErator models it is a small red square button on the bottom of the unit under the sink. If it has tripped it sits about a quarter inch lower than normal. EZ Connect models reset automatically after cooling.
Is it safe to put my hand in a garbage disposal?
No. Never put your hand in a disposal, even when it is off. Turn the switch off, and use tongs or pliers and a flashlight to remove objects.
Why is my garbage disposal leaking from the bottom?
Often because internal seals near the motor have worn or the housing is cracked. Leaks from the bottom or body usually mean the unit should be replaced, while side leaks at pipe or hose connections can often be repaired.
Sources
Facts in this guide come from the following references. Local rules and manufacturer instructions can differ, so follow your utility and your equipment manual.
- InSinkErator: Fixing a Jammed Garbage Disposal
- InSinkErator: Resetting a Garbage Disposal
- InSinkErator: How to Use a Garbage Disposal
- InSinkErator: What Not to Put in a Garbage Disposal
- City of Bellevue: Preventing Sewer Backups
- Appliance Parts Pros: Fixing a Garbage Disposal Leaking from the Bottom
This guide is general information, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. If you smell natural gas, leave the building and call 911 or your gas utility. Pyper does not perform gas line work.
