Garbage Disposal Not Working? Discover The DIY Fixes

A garbage disposal is a must-have appliance in a modern kitchen that helps keep the kitchen clean by grinding food waste and flushing it down the drain. 

But misuse or improper garbage disposal maintenance can lead to a problem like garbage disposal not working.  

Here are some common symptoms that indicate that your garbage disposal is not working: 

• Garbage disposal won’t turn on 
• The garbage disposal is humming but not working 
• The garbage disposal is not working, and the sink is not draining

Non-functional garbage disposal is a pain of the neck for most homeowners like you as it interrupts the kitchen cleanup task. 

So, bringing the garbage disposal back into working condition is a must. And this guideline will walk you through 7 troubleshooting steps to fix the disposal that’s not working. 

Without further ado, let’s dive in.

What Are The Tools and Supplies You Need To Fix A Garbage Disposal?

List of tools you need to troubleshoot a garbage disposal that’s not working: 

• Allen wrench (garbage disposal wrench)
• Flashlight
• Long-handled pliers or tongs 
• Bucket or container

How To Fix A Garbage Disposal That’s Not Working?

A garbage disposal doesn’t work due to improper electric supply, tripped circuit breaker, clog in the disposal, restricted impellers, and a problem with the disposal itself.

To fix the garbage disposal issue: 

• Check the power supply first and ensure it’s receiving power to turn on the unit. 
• Reset the garbage disposal
• Check the grinding chamber and release the blockage 
• Fix the leaking issue
• If those steps don’t work, replace the garbage disposal.

90% of the time, resetting the garbage disposal and clearing a jam will fix the issue. So, let’s dive deeper and learn how to troubleshoot your garbage disposal. 

Ensure The Disposal Is Getting Electric Supply

Homeowners often overlook whether their garbage disposal is receiving power.

Imagine it! Most homeowners often store cleaning supplies or a trash can in the under-sink area, where they install the outlet to plug in the garbage disposal. 

If the plug of the disposal comes loose due to the knock of the trash can, no electric supply will flow through the disposal unit. 

As a result, the garbage disposal won’t turn on and grind the food waste. 

So, ensure that the power cord is properly and securely plugged into the electrical outlet.

Verify That the Circuit Breaker for the Garbage Disposal Doesn’t Get Tripped

Go to your circuit breaker panel box and check the breaker for the garbage disposal. 

If the circuit breaker for the garbage disposal gets tripped, flip it to the On position. 

That’s it! 

Generally, a circuit breaker gets tripped when you overload it or there are multiple outlets on the same circuit. 

If you operate a garbage disposal and a toaster at a time, it overloads the circuit, which causes it to trip. 

The permanent solution to fix this issue is to run a single circuit for your garbage disposal and the dishwasher. 

I highly suggest you call a certified electrician to check how many outlets you run on the circuit breaker for the garbage disposal. If required, install a separate circuit for the disposal unit. 

Reset Your Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal has a reset button that functions similarly to a circuit breaker in your home.

When a circuit becomes overloaded, the circuit breaker automatically cuts off the electric supply to prevent fire hazards.

Similarly, the garbage disposal reset button cuts off the electric supply when you overload the disposal with food waste. 

In short, it’s a safety feature that shuts off the electric supply to prevent motor burnout. 

A garbage disposal that doesn’t work due to a tripped reset button is relatively easy to fix. 

Resetting the disposal is the trick that brings the unit into play!

To reset your garbage disposal, go along with these steps: 

• Locate the reset button at the bottom of the unit.
• Press the reset button firmly and release it.
• If the unit doesn’t come on, wait ten minutes. Then, press the reset button again. 

Remove the Jam

A common garbage disposal problem that can throw a wrench into work is jam. 

When your disposal unit gets jammed, it doesn’t work or grind food waste. 

Generally, garbage disposal has impellers mounted on the flywheel or shredder plate surrounded by a grinding ring. 

When you hit the switch, the electric supply goes through the motor, which causes the flywheel to turn. 

Impellers mounted on the flywheel and the grinding ring work together and grind food waste into pieces.

That’s how garbage disposal works. 

However, if you put hard items like fruit pits or non-food items like spoons, the impellers fail to cut them and get restricted. 

Explore: What Not To Put In A Garbage Disposal

Consequently, the garbage disposal doesn’t work or grind food waste. 

Now, the question is- how can I understand if the garbage disposal gets jammed? 

Simple. 

The garbage disposal only hums. 

Read: Garbage Disposal Humming

Here’s how to fix garbage disposal hum: 

• Ensure you turn off the garbage disposal. Then, detach the garbage disposal from the electric connection.
• Light the flashlight to see inside the grinding chamber and detect what obstructs the disposal blades. 
• Insert the end of the Allen wrench into the central hole at the bottom of your garbage disposal unit. Then, turn the wrench back and forth until the blockage comes loose. 
• Use long-handled pliers or a pair of tongs to remove the restriction from the grinding chamber. 
• Restore power to the garbage disposal.
• Run cold water and turn on the garbage disposal to test the unit. 

Resolve The Clog Issue

In the previous section, I provided instructions on how to fix a jammed garbage disposal. 

You can follow the same steps to unclog a garbage disposal.

One additional step I recommend is to check the sink drain for blockage. This will be helpful if you encounter this problem: The garbage disposal is not working, and the sink isn’t draining. 

Regarding this, crawl down and disconnect the P-trap. Make sure you put a container under it to collect the water. Release blockage from the P-trap.

Also, don’t forget to clean the section of the drain pipe connected to the garbage disposal. 

You can check out the following video to learn further. 

Check for Leaks

Garbage disposal won’t work if it leaks from top or bottom. 

Worn-out gaskets, loose connections, and leakage from the unit are some reasons responsible for leaking garbage disposal. 

To fix the leaking issue, go along with the following steps: 

• Disconnect the garbage disposal from the electric power supply.
• Keep aside everything from the under-sink area. 
• Put a container under the drain pipes to catch the drippings. 
• Inspect the plumbing around the garbage disposal. Check every line that runs to and from the disposal unit. 
• Check the discharge tube of the garbage disposal and ensure the connection is tight and secure.
• Inspect the dishwasher line and verify that the connection is also secure. 
• If tightening those connection lines brings no luck, replace the lines.

Read: Insinkerator Garbage Disposal Leaking

Replace the Garbage Disposal If No Troubleshooting Steps Work

You can troubleshoot most garbage disposals by following this guideline, except for those with a leaking body or a faulty motor.

If your garbage disposal is new, the warranty may cover the replacement.

Otherwise, you should replace the garbage disposal if you have used the unit for several years. 

The average cost for garbage disposal replacement is between $225-$$250, including labor and parts. 

Discover: How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Garbage Disposal?

How To Maintain Garbage Disposal To Avoid Operational Problems?

Performing routine maintenance according to the manufacturer’s guidelines will help avoid problems like frequent clogs and jams. Follow these garbage disposal maintenance tips to keep the unit operational for years:

• Operate garbage disposal two to three times a week even if there is no food waste to grind.
• Run cold water before, during, and after using the garbage disposal.
• Turn on the cold water supply for 30 seconds after grinding is complete to flush the residue smoothly. 
• Never overload the garbage disposal with so much stuff. Instead, feed the food waste gradually. 
• Don’t put fibrous, hard, and non-food items in the garbage disposal. Putting unprohibited foods in the disposal is mostly responsible for a clogged or jammed garbage disposal. Read this article to discover the complete list of what not to put in a garbage disposal. 
• Clean garbage disposal once a week. 

Need Help In Repairing Your Garbage Disposal? Chat With FixTheDisposal.Com

A garbage disposal doesn’t work due to electric issues, a clog in the disposal, and restricted impellers. 

Following the mentioned troubleshooting steps will help you revive your garbage disposal. 

If you’re still having trouble, feel free to chat with us. Visit our Contact Us page and explain your problems. Once we get your email, we will reply with expert solutions. It’s free!

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