🌀 Troubleshooting Guide: Garbage Disposal Not Working? Here's What You Can Do
Garbage disposal giving you the silent treatment?
Whether it’s jammed, humming, leaking, or completely dead—don’t panic.
Most disposal issues can be solved with a few safe, simple steps.
Here’s how to troubleshoot your garbage disposal before you call in the pros.
Whether it’s jammed, humming, leaking, or completely dead—don’t panic.
Most disposal issues can be solved with a few safe, simple steps.
Here’s how to troubleshoot your garbage disposal before you call in the pros.
✅ Step 1: Stay Safe—Unplug First!
Before doing anything with your disposal, turn it off and unplug it (or shut off the breaker if it’s hardwired).
🛑 Never put your hand inside the disposal while it's connected to power. Safety first, always!
🛑 Never put your hand inside the disposal while it's connected to power. Safety first, always!
✅ Step 2: Hit the Reset Button
• Most disposals have a reset button on the bottom (usually red).
• Press it in firmly—if it was tripped due to an overload, this will reset it.
🔄 If the button won’t stay in, wait a few minutes and try again. If it stays in, plug it back in and test it.
• Press it in firmly—if it was tripped due to an overload, this will reset it.
🔄 If the button won’t stay in, wait a few minutes and try again. If it stays in, plug it back in and test it.
✅ Step 3: Is It Humming But Not Spinning?
If you hear a humming sound but the blades aren’t turning, the unit is probably jammed.
Here’s what to do:
1. Unplug the unit.
2. Look underneath for a hex hole in the center.
3. Insert a ¼-inch Allen wrench and turn it back and forth to manually free the blades.
🔧 No Allen wrench? You can also use a wooden spoon handle to gently rotate the blades from inside (again—only with the power OFF!).
Here’s what to do:
1. Unplug the unit.
2. Look underneath for a hex hole in the center.
3. Insert a ¼-inch Allen wrench and turn it back and forth to manually free the blades.
🔧 No Allen wrench? You can also use a wooden spoon handle to gently rotate the blades from inside (again—only with the power OFF!).
✅ Step 4: Check for Visible Obstructions
• Shine a flashlight down into the disposal.
• You might spot something stuck like utensils, fruit pits, bones, or fibrous veggie scraps.
• Use tongs or pliers to remove the object. Never use your hands.
🍴 Some of the most common offenders: silverware, bottle caps, corn husks, and coffee grounds.
• You might spot something stuck like utensils, fruit pits, bones, or fibrous veggie scraps.
• Use tongs or pliers to remove the object. Never use your hands.
🍴 Some of the most common offenders: silverware, bottle caps, corn husks, and coffee grounds.
✅ Step 5: Check the Power Supply
If the unit is completely dead:
• Make sure it’s plugged in securely.
• Check your breaker box—a tripped breaker will stop the unit from running.
🧃 Plug in a small appliance (like a hair dryer or lamp) to the same outlet to see if it’s receiving power.
• Make sure it’s plugged in securely.
• Check your breaker box—a tripped breaker will stop the unit from running.
🧃 Plug in a small appliance (like a hair dryer or lamp) to the same outlet to see if it’s receiving power.
✅ Step 6: Check for Leaks
• If the unit works but you see water under the sink, inspect the mounting ring, dishwasher inlet, and drain line connections.
• Leaks may come from:
o A loose connection
o A worn gasket or seal
o Cracks in the disposal housing
💧 A cracked unit usually means it’s time for a replacement.
• Leaks may come from:
o A loose connection
o A worn gasket or seal
o Cracks in the disposal housing
💧 A cracked unit usually means it’s time for a replacement.
🧠 When to Call a Professional
If your disposal is still not working—or you’ve noticed leaks, persistent jams, or electrical issues—it’s time to call in a pro.
A faulty garbage disposal can lead to:
• Sink clogs and backups
• Electrical hazards
• Damaged plumbing connections
• Bad smells and hygiene issues
A faulty garbage disposal can lead to:
• Sink clogs and backups
• Electrical hazards
• Damaged plumbing connections
• Bad smells and hygiene issues
📞 Time to Call HI-FLO WATER AND SEWER?
We repair and replace garbage disposals quickly and safely, so you can get back to using your kitchen with confidence.
💪 Why Choose HI-FLO WATER AND SEWER for Garbage Disposal Issues?
• Fast diagnostics and safe repairs
• Installation of new or replacement units
• Leak detection and drain line checks
• Clean, respectful in-home service
• Honest pricing with zero pressure
• Installation of new or replacement units
• Leak detection and drain line checks
• Clean, respectful in-home service
• Honest pricing with zero pressure
We’ll get your kitchen flowing again—fast, safe, and done right.
From stuck to spinning—we fix it all.
HI-FLO Water & Sewer