Garbage Disposal Problems and Solutions

You know how much you rely on a garbage disposal to eliminate food waste without worrying about clogging the sink.

In short, the garbage disposal unit is your kitchen’s best friend- until it stops working and turns mealtime cleanup into a pain in the neck.

From unexpected leaks to stubborn jams, garbage disposals can encounter various problems that disrupt your routine. Fortunately, many of these issues are easy to identify and resolve, saving you from costly repairs.

Imagine you have the confidence to fix those garbage disposal problems and restore your kitchen to full working order!

Peace of mind!

Our expert guide will help you handle everything- from minor hiccups to more complex repairs- bringing back the A ha moment in your kitchen.

Ready to tackle your garbage disposal problems once and for all? Discover even more solutions in our comprehensive Garbage Disposal Manual, and take control of your kitchen with expert advice at your fingertips.

Get The Manual Here

Without further ado, let’s dive in.

10 Common Garbage Disposal Problems And Solutions
Preventative Maintenance Tips
Upgrading or Replacing Your Garbage Disposal
FAQs
Conclusion

10 Common Garbage Disposal Problems And Solutions

Let’s jump into the common problems you may experience with your garbage disposal and discover how to troubleshoot them.

1. Garbage Disposal Won’t Turn On

You flip the switch to On, but the garbage disposal won’t turn on!

Most often, your garbage disposal (also known as a food waste disposer) doesn’t work due to electrical problems.

If your garbage disposal is silent, like a grave, when you flip the switch, understand that the problem lies with the electrical.

Electric issues stand for:

Unplugged power cord or the power cord comes loose accidentally
The internal circuit of the disposal unit gets tripped.
Electrical connections between the disposal wiring and the power cord wiring come loose

Solution:

To resolve garbage disposal electrical problems, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Verify that the power cord of the disposal unit is plugged in snugly into the electric outlet.

Locate the reset button at the bottom or side of the unit based on the disposal brand & model. Then, press the reset button to restore power to your food waste disposer.

If pressing the reset button doesn’t revive the disposal unit, it’s time to check the wire connection. Regarding this, turn off the power first. Then, unscrew the terminal plate and inspect the wiring for loose connections.

You can check our garbage disposal manual for more detailed and visual guidelines to fix the electrical issues.

If the electrical system related to your garbage disposal unit is fine, seek other issues like clogs and jams, which I will explain below. So, keep reading.

Read: Garbage Disposal Not Working

2. Garbage Disposal Humming But Not Working

A jam in the grinding chamber is the culprit behind a humming garbage disposal.

When something becomes trapped between the impellers and the shredding plate, the disposal spins its wheels, humming but not grinding.

In this situation, the disposal unit gets electric power and tries to spin the impellers but fails due to the jam.

Thankfully, the built-in overload protector trips and cuts off the electric supply to protect the motor from burning out.

After a period,

You switch on the disposal unit, and it hums without grinding food waste.

The cycle ‘the disposal unit keeps humming’ will repeat until you release the restriction from the grinding chamber.

Solution:

To stop your garburator from singing the blues, follow these steps to release the jam from the grinding chamber:

Verify that you unplug the garbage disposal from the electric power source.

Light the flashlight and check the inside of the grinding chamber to detect obstructions.

Grab an Allen wrench or hex key, slide it into the hole at the bottom of the unit, and turn it back & forth until the blockage breaks free.

Remove the restriction from the grinding chamber using long-handled tongs.

Restore power to your disposal unit, run the cold water supply, and turn on the food waste disposer to test the operation.

What if your garbage disposal doesn’t have the hex-hole at the bottom? How can you remove the jam from the grinding chamber?

Don’t worry.

Our comprehensive garbage disposal manual covers the alternative methods to release the obstructions to let the impellers spin freely.

3. Garbage Disposal Is Leaking

A garbage disposal can leak due to one of the following reasons:

Loose mounting bolts or fragile plumber’s putty: Either loose mounting bolts or cracked plumber’s putty is responsible for the water on the loose from the top of the disposal unit.

Loose connections: If the plumbing connections, such as the dishwasher hose, drain line, and sink, aren’t tight, water can drip from the disposal unit.

Damaged Seals: Garbage disposal has internal seals that can deteriorate over time. Due to the damaged seals, your garbage disposal leaks from the bottom, turning your kitchen into a water park.

Loose Dishwasher Connection: The dishwasher hose connected to the disposal’s inlet can come loose or wear out over time, causing the water to drip.

Discharge Tube: The discharge tube connected to the disposal outlet has a gasket. If the gasket becomes worn out, water can seep through it.

Solution:

To fix a leaky garbage disposal, identify the source of leaks first. I already mentioned all the possible leaking points.

The troubleshooting step to fix the leaky garbage disposal differs based on the leaking source.

For example, if your garbage disposal leaks from the top, understand it happens due to a damaged plumber’s putty or loose mounting bolts.

To resolve this issue, disconnect the garbage disposal and dismount the mounting assembly. Then, remove the sink flange, scrape the old plumber’s putty, and apply the plumber’s putty around the sink flange.

Or tighten the mounting bolts.

I highly suggest you check our garbage disposal manual. It will walk you through step-by-step instructions to fix a leaking garbage disposal.

4. Garbage Disposal Is Clogged

Clogs in garbage disposal units are a dime a dozen, especially if you put inappropriate things down there.

Apart from putting the wrong things at the disposal, several factors can cause clogs, including:

Improper use: Common mistakes include not running enough water before and after using the disposal unit (it’s like playing with fire), overloading the system, and grinding wrong items like celery, bones, and coffee grounds, which are the culprits behind clogged garbage disposal.

Grease and Oil: Throwing grease and oil in the garbage disposal is like throwing caution to the wind- it will clog up in no time as these substances congeal and stick to pipes.

Foreign objects: Garbage disposal can only grind food items. If you put non-food items (plastic, glass, fork, and metal) in the grinding chamber, expect a clog as those items obstruct the impellers.

Starches: Foods that expand when they absorb water, such as pasta and rice, can cause blockages as they swell in the pipes.

Well, you learned what causes the garbage disposal unit to get clogged. But how can you tell if the food waste disposer is clogged?

Here are some signs of clogged garbage disposal:

Slow drainage: Water may drain slowly or not at all.

Foul odor: The foul smell coming from the sink is an odor that speaks volumes – it’s time to check for a clog.

Unusual Noises: The clanking trouble you hear is another sign that indicates something gets stuck in the disposal unit.

Solution (How To Fix A Clogged Garbage Disposal):

To fix a clogged garbage disposal, follow these steps:

Turn off the disposal unit and unplug it from the power source.

Check obstructions inside the garburator using a flashlight. Remove any visible debris using tongs or pliers instead of hands.

Use a plunger over the sink drain (if there is standing water) to create pressure and dislodge the clog.

After plunging, you can put a garbage disposal cleaner tablet to clean and remove odor.

If the problem persists, check the P-trap for clogs. Detach the P-trap and remove the restrictions if necessary.

Press the reset button if the disposal unit trips the circuit breaker.

5. Garbage Disposal Smells Bad

Does your garbage disposal stink to high heaven? You can smell it from across the room?

Here are some reasons that cause your garbage disposal to smell bad:

Food waste remained in the disposal unit: Food particles left in the garbage disposal can rot and produce a fishy smell. Improper use (such as not running enough water before and after operating the disposal unit) is the root of the problem, causing a bad smell.

Grease and Oil Buildup: Pouring grease or oily foods down the disposal can lead to congealed buildup over time, which not only creates odors but can also cause clogs.

Broken down splash guard: The splash guard inside the disposal unit can break down and retain foul odors.

Solution (How To Get Rid of A Smelly Garbage Disposal):

To eliminate fishy odor from your garbage disposal, follow this cleaning method:

First, turn off the disposal unit and unplug its power cord.

Make a cleaning solution of baking soda and vinegar. Pour 1/2 of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into the disposal unit.

Leave the disposal unit for an hour to let the mixture sit.

Flush the garbage disposal with cold water.

Grind citrus peels to freshen the odors.

Besides this cleaning method, several methods, including Ice and Salt, Cleaning Pods, and Soapy Water, are applicable to refresh the disposal unit.

You can read this guide via the following link to access those methods:

Garbage Disposal Smells Bad: Causes, Solution, and Prevention

6. Garbage Disposal Making Loud Noises

A garbage disposal can make different noises, including humming, grinding, clicking, rattling, and gurgling.

Each noise type you hear from the disposal unit can result from different reasons.

For example, the hum of malfunction is all you hear when the disposal’s motor is running, but it’s not grinding.

The humming noise indicates something is stuck between the impellers, preventing them from spinning.

On the other hand, you will hear a grinding noise from your garbage disposal due to wrapped or loose impellers.

And a gurgling sound coming from the garbage disposal indicates clogged drains.

Solution:

First, check the inside of the garbage disposal unit. Regarding this, turn off the unit and detach its power cord.

After that, use a flashlight to locate the blockage in the grinding chamber. Remove the obstructions from the disposal using tongs or pliers.

Next, check the mounting screws. If they come loose, they cause a vibrating noise. Tighten those mounting screws if needed.

Finally, clean the garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar.

7. Garbage Disposal Won’t Drain

The garbage disposal won’t drain due to improper use, clog, jam, and restricted P-trap.

For example, if you run insufficient water before and after using the disposal unit, food particles can stick to the pipes or in the disposal.

Solution:

To resolve this issue, check the grinding chamber for any obstructions, remove them, and then flush your garbage disposal unit.

If the draining problem persists, disconnect the P-trap and clean it.

8. Garbage Disposal Reset Button Keeps Tripping

The reset button on the garbage disposal unit keeps tripping due to one of the following reasons:

Jammed: A jam in the grinding chamber because of foreign objects or excessive food waste restricts the impellers. Consequently, the motor can struggle to spin, leading to overheating. This triggers the reset button to pop out as a safety measure.

Overloading: If you are biting off more than the disposal can chew by putting too much food waste in at once, it can overload the motor, causing the reset button to trip.

Overheating: Operating the garbage disposal for an extended period can cause the motor to overheat, causing the reset button to pop out.

Solution:

Start by checking the inside of the disposal unit for a jam. If you identify restrictions, remove them by using tongs.

Turn the flywheel manually by sliding the Allen wrench into the hole at the bottom of the unit. Then, flush the disposal unit with cold water.

Next, press the reset button.

Second, if you suspect overloading, remove excess food from the disposal. Feed the food waste in smaller batches.

Remember, never use the garbage disposal for a long period. Take a break between usage.

9. Garbage Disposal Is Rusted

A food waste disposer can hardly rust due to its built-in materials. However, some garbage disposal units use galvanized steel for impellers or flywheels. And galvanized steel is prone to rust over time.

Besides, if your garbage disposal reaches its end-life cycle, you will observe signs of rusting due to age. Older units are prone to rust as the protective coatings may wear off.

Solution:

Always get high-quality garbage disposals that use stainless steel as the built-in quality.

Operate the garbage disposal unit regularly to keep the internal components from rusting.

Don’t hesitate to replace the old garbage disposal unit if it reaches the end cycle.

10. Garbage Disposal Smoking

A fried circuit breaker or burnt-out motor is responsible for a smoking garbage disposal.

You can fix a fried circuit breaker. But you can’t fix a burnt-out motor. It means you should replace the garbage disposal unit.

If the disposal unit starts smoking when turned on, immediately unplug the power cord.

For detailed guidelines on Garbage Disposal Smoking, you can read this article.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

It is essential to perform regular maintenance on your garbage disposal to ensure long-term, smooth operation. Here are a few simple steps:

Run the disposal regularly to keep the internal components rust-free.
Run plenty of cold water before and after using the garbage disposal.
Clean the garbage disposal unit once a month with baking soda, vinegar, and ice.
Don’t put inappropriate stuff in the garbage disposal.

Consult our Garbage Disposal Manual for detailed maintenance schedules and tips.

Upgrading or Replacing Your Garbage Disposal

If your garbage disposal is beyond repair or too old, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Here’s what to consider:

When to replace: Rust, constant leaks, or frequent resets may indicate it’s time for a new unit.

Choosing the right disposal: Learn about different models and horsepower ratings to find the best fit for your home.

Our manual offers a complete guide on garbage disposal installation and what to look for in a replacement.

Read Further:

Garbage Disposal Replacement Cost

FAQs

What is the main problem of garbage disposal?

The primary issue with a garbage disposal unit is clogging or jamming. The garbage disposal gets clogged if you put unprohibited food items like celery, corn husks, pasta, and rice. On the other hand, a jam occurs if something gets stuck between the impellers. The unit will make a humming noise if it gets jammed.

Why is my garbage disposal humming but not turning?

A garbage disposal makes a humming noise but doesn’t grind if something restricts the impellers. When the garbage disposal gets jammed, the motor attempts to spin the impellers but fails, resulting in a humming sound.

How do you unclog a garbage disposal without taking it apart?

You can unclog a garbage disposal by cleaning it with baking soda and vinegar without taking it apart. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar into the disposal. Rinse the disposal with cold water.

Conclusion

A malfunctioning garbage disposal doesn’t necessarily require expensive repairs or replacement. With the right tools and guidance, you can troubleshoot common garbage disposal issues.

Fortunately, we covered every common problem and solution of garbage disposal. Just follow the troubleshooting step and fix a specific sink garbage disposal issue.

For detailed troubleshooting and expert advice, grab our Garbage Disposal Manual—your ultimate guide to fixing and maintaining your disposal with ease.

Get The Garbage Disposal Manual Here

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Sohel

Sohel Rana is the founder of FixTheDisposal.Com. He is a plumbing expert with 7+ years of hands-on repairing garbage disposals, water heaters, space heaters, and other appliances used in a home. Before the launch of Fix The Disposal, he wrote and provided advice on water heaters, sump pumps, and space heater repairing & troubleshooting tips for LilDutchUncle.Com.

Garbage Disposal Problems and Solutions

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