A garbage disposal that hums, buzzes or won’t make a sound is one of the most common kitchen plumbing problems in Wadsworth and Northeast Ohio homes. The sound it makes (or doesn’t make) tells you a lot about what’s wrong. Here’s how to read it, what you can safely try yourself, and when it’s time to call a plumber.
Safety First: Cut the Power
Before you look inside or work on a disposal, turn off the wall switch and either unplug the unit under the sink or switch off its breaker. Never put your hand down the drain opening. Use tongs or pliers to pull out anything stuck inside.
If It Hums but Doesn’t Spin
A humming disposal is getting power, but the motor can’t turn. Usually something is jammed between the spinning plate and the grinding ring, such as a fruit pit, a bone or a bottle cap.
- Turn off the power.
- Find the hex-shaped socket on the bottom center of the unit. Most disposals take a 1/4-inch Allen wrench, and many come with one.
- Work the wrench back and forth until it turns freely all the way around.
- Remove the loosened object with tongs.
- Press the red reset button on the bottom, restore power, and run cold water before switching it on.
Don’t leave a humming disposal switched on. The motor can overheat and burn out.
If It’s Completely Silent
No sound at all means the motor isn’t getting power. Check these in order:
- The reset button. Disposals have a built-in overload switch that trips when the motor overheats. Press the small red button on the bottom of the unit.
- The outlet. If the disposal plugs in under the sink, check whether that outlet or a nearby GFCI outlet has tripped.
- The breaker. Look for a tripped breaker in your electrical panel.
- The wall switch. A worn switch can fail on its own.
If the reset keeps tripping or nothing brings it back, the motor or wiring may be failing, and that’s a job for a pro.
If It’s Buzzing, Grinding or Rattling Loudly
Loud grinding or a metal-on-metal rattle usually means something hard is inside, like a spoon or a coin. Turn off the power and remove it with tongs. If the noise continues with nothing inside, internal parts may be worn or broken.
If It’s Leaking
Where the water comes from points to the fix:
- Top (where the disposal meets the sink): the sink flange seal may need resealing.
- Side: a loose drain connection or dishwasher hose.
- Bottom: usually an internal seal failure. A leak from the bottom of the housing generally means the unit needs to be replaced.
If the Sink Drains Slowly
A disposal can run fine while the drain below it clogs. Grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, potato peels, pasta and rice are common culprits. Skip chemical drain cleaners: they can damage the disposal and pipes, and they make the job hazardous for anyone who opens the drain afterward. If a plunger doesn’t clear it, the clog is likely in the trap or the line beyond it, and our drain cleaning service can take care of it.
Repair or Replace?
Disposals typically last around 10 years, depending on the model and how hard they’re used. Replacement usually makes more sense than repair if the unit leaks from the bottom, keeps tripping its reset, jams constantly, or is near the end of that range.
When to Call a Plumber
- The reset button keeps tripping
- Water is leaking from the bottom of the unit
- You smell burning or see smoke
- Nothing works after the checks above
- The sink drains slowly even when the disposal runs
Dee’s Heating & Cooling handles plumbing repairs and garbage disposal replacement across Wadsworth, Medina, Cuyahoga Falls, Canton and nearby communities. Call (330) 554-7015.
Garbage Disposal FAQs
Why is my garbage disposal humming but not working?
The motor has power but the plate can’t spin, almost always because something is jammed. Turn off the power, free it with an Allen wrench from the bottom, press reset and try again.
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
On the bottom of the unit, under the sink. It’s usually a small red button.
Can I use drain cleaner in a garbage disposal?
It’s best not to. Chemical drain cleaners can damage the disposal and your pipes. Try a plunger, or call a plumber.
How long does a garbage disposal last?
Typically around 10 years, depending on the model and how it’s used.