A garbage disposal that hums but won’t spin, or won’t turn on at all, is almost always fixable without calling a plumber.
What Causes a Garbage Disposal to Stop Working? Either a jammed impeller, a tripped reset button, or a blown circuit.
What You’ll Need A garbage disposal wrench or a standard Allen wrench, and a flashlight.
Step 1: Press the Reset Button Look for a small red button on the bottom of the disposal unit. Press it firmly. This solves the problem more often than you’d think.
Step 2: Check the Circuit Breaker If pressing reset doesn’t work, check your home’s circuit breaker panel for a tripped switch.
Step 3: Unjam the Disposal Insert an Allen wrench into the hole at the bottom center of the unit. Turn it back and forth to free the jam. Then press reset and try again.
Step 4: Clear the Drain Use tongs — never your hand — to remove any debris from inside the disposal.
Step 5: Replace if Necessary If none of these steps work, the motor may be burned out. A new garbage disposal costs $80–150 and installs in under an hour.