10 Reasons Your Kitchen Garbage Disposal Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)

You are standing in your kitchen in Clarksville, TN and the sink is full of water. You flip the switch for the garbage disposal and nothing happens. No hum. No grind. Just silence. It always seems to happen right when you have a house full of people or you are trying to clean up after a big dinner.

Last Thanksgiving I got a call from a homeowner in Sango who was in a total panic. They had shoved two pounds of potato peels down the drain and the disposal just quit. The sink was backing up and dinner was supposed to be on the table in twenty minutes. I walked them through a few quick steps over the phone and we got it spinning again just in time.

Here is the deal. Most disposal problems are pretty simple to fix if you know where to look. You don't always need to buy a brand new unit. Often it is just a small obstruction or a tripped safety switch that is standing between you and a working kitchen.

1. The internal reset button tripped

Your disposal has its own little circuit breaker built right into the bottom. If the motor gets too hot or the blades hit something hard it will pop. This protects the motor from burning out. You can find this on the very bottom of the unit under your sink. It is usually a small red or black button.

If your disposal is silent when you flip the switch this is the first thing I would check. Give it a firm press. If you hear a click then you probably solved it.

2. You have a tripped breaker in the panel

If the reset button didn't do the trick you should check your main electrical panel. Sometimes the disposal and the dishwasher are on the same circuit. If they both ran at the same time it might have been too much for the breaker.

I see this a lot in older homes around Montgomery County where the wiring wasn't originally designed for high powered modern appliances. Go to your breaker box and look for any switches that aren't fully in the "on" position. Flip it all the way off and then back on again.

3. A foreign object is jamming the impellers

This is the most common reason for a humming sound. If you flip the switch and hear a low buzz but the blades won't turn something is stuck. I have pulled out everything from bottle caps to a stray cherry pit that wedged itself perfectly between the blade and the wall.

Never put your hand down there. Even if the power is off it is just not worth the risk. I use a flashlight to look down the drain and see if I can spot the culprit. If you see a piece of bone or a metal pull tab you can usually fish it out with a pair of long needle nose pliers.

4. The flywheel is stuck

If you can't see anything from the top the jam might be deeper down. Most disposals have a hole in the bottom center that fits a large hex wrench. This allows you to manually turn the motor and break a jam loose.

What I'd do first is make sure the power is totally off. Then insert the wrench and move it back and forth. You should feel it resist and then eventually spin freely. Once it moves easily you can try the power again.

5. The unit has overheated

If you have been running the disposal for a long time it can get hot. These motors aren't meant to run for ten minutes straight. If it shuts off in the middle of a job it might just need a break.

Give it about fifteen minutes to cool down. Sometimes the reset button won't stay pushed in until the internal components have cooled off. Grab a cup of coffee and come back to it.

6. There is a clog in the drain pipe

Sometimes the disposal is working fine but the water just won't go down. This usually means the clog is actually in the P-trap or the vertical pipe behind the wall.

Starchy foods like pasta or potato peels are famous for this. They turn into a thick paste that blocks the pipe. If you have a double sink and both sides are backing up the clog is definitely further down the line. You might need to pull the trap under the sink and clean it out manually.

7. The plumber's putty has failed

If you see water dripping from the very top where the disposal meets the sink you likely have a leak at the flange. Over time the putty can dry out and shrink. You might notice a split caulk line or a gap where the metal meets the sink basin.

This is a common repair in Clarksville homes that are more than a few years old. To fix this you have to disconnect the disposal and reseal the flange. It is a bit of a messy job but it stops the water from ruining your cabinets.

8. There is a hairline crack in the housing

If you see water dripping from the bottom of the black plastic shell that covers the motor you might have a bigger problem. Plastic can get brittle over time. A hairline crack in the housing usually means the unit is done.

Water and electricity don't mix. If the internal seals have failed and water is getting into the motor area you shouldn't try to patch it. It is safer and cheaper in the long run to just replace the whole unit.

9. The dishwasher knockout plug was left in

If you just moved into a brand new house or had a new disposal installed and your dishwasher won't drain this is almost certainly the cause. Disposals come with a plastic plug in the nipple where the dishwasher hose connects.

An installer has to knock that plug out before connecting the hose. If they forget the dishwasher has nowhere to send its water. It is an easy fix but it happens more often than you would think.

10. The motor has simply reached its end

Most garbage disposals are built to last about eight to twelve years. If yours is older than that and it keeps jamming or humming it might just be worn out. The bearings can get shot or the motor can lose its torque.

They may not say it out loud but appliances eventually give up. If you find yourself resetting it every single day it is probably time to look for a replacement.

What you can safely try yourself

I always tell people to start with the basics. Check the power and the reset button first. If it is humming you can try the hex wrench trick on the bottom. These are safe and easy steps that don't require taking anything apart.

Keep the chemicals out of there. Don't pour harsh drain cleaners down a disposal. They can eat away at the seals and if they don't clear the clog you end up with a sink full of caustic water that is dangerous for anyone who has to work on it later.

When to call a professional

If you have tried the reset button and the hex wrench and it still won't budge you might need some help. Anything involving electrical wiring or major leaks should be handled by someone with the right experience.

If you see water spraying from the side or if the unit is making a loud metallic screeching sound shut it off immediately. You don't want to risk a fire or a major flood in your kitchen.

How Fix It Quick can help

I handle these kinds of kitchen repairs all the time for homeowners and property managers in Clarksville and Montgomery County. Whether it is a simple jam or a full replacement I make sure the job is done right.

I show up on time and I don't leave a mess under your sink. I'll give you a clear estimate before I start so there are no surprises when the bill comes. My goal is to get your kitchen back to normal as fast as possible so you can get back to your life.

If you are tired of looking at a sink full of dirty water give me a call at (615) 716-3318. I can usually get out to see you pretty quickly.

Common Questions About Garbage Disposals

Why does my disposal smell bad?

Food particles can get trapped under the splash guard or on the grinding ring. I recommend grinding up some ice cubes and lemon peels while running cold water. The ice helps scrub the blades and the lemon leaves a fresh scent.

Can I put eggshells or coffee grounds down the drain?

It is better if you don't. Eggshells have a thin membrane that can wrap around the blades and coffee grounds are notorious for creating thick clogs in the pipes further down. Stick to soft food scraps and always run plenty of cold water.

Why is my disposal leaking from the bottom?

This usually indicates that the internal seals have failed. If water is coming through the motor housing it is a sign that the unit needs to be replaced. It is not a repair that typically lasts very long if you try to patch it.

Does it matter if I use hot or cold water?

Always use cold water when running the disposal. Cold water keeps any grease or fat in a solid state so it can be chopped up and flushed through. Hot water melts the grease which then coats the pipes and causes clogs later on.

If you need help with your kitchen repairs or any other home maintenance in the Clarksville area reach out to Fix It Quick Handyman Service LLC. You can schedule a free estimate by calling (615) 716-3318 or visiting our contact page.

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