Garbage disposals are a boon for any kitchen. They cut down on landfill waste, make cleaning up and washing dishes a breeze, and are a fairly simple way to boost your home’s value. At some point, though, you’re bound to ask, “Why is my garbage disposal not working?” Before you call a plumber or electrician, there are a few common causes behind a malfunctioning garbage disposal, as well as some easy fixes to try. (Just remember always to keep safety top of mind.)
I’ve had my fair share of kitchen mishaps, and a broken garbage disposal is one of those things that can throw off your whole day. The good news? Most issues can be fixed with a little know-how. For instance, a study from the Environmental Protection Agency shows that food waste makes up about 22% of landfill material in the U.S., so keeping your disposal in top shape helps reduce that number. Plus, a working disposal can save you from dealing with smelly trash bins—trust me, I learned that the hard way!
The Best Way to Avoid Garbage Disposal Issues
While we like to think of of our garbage disposals as trash cans, it’s important to avoid putting certain items down the disposal to keep the appliance running smoothly. Foods like rice, leftover pasta, and beans can damage your disposal, and fruit and vegetable peels (such as those from bananas, carrots, and potatoes) are discouraged. Grease, butter, and creamy pasta sauces can also harm your disposal, along with hard substances like seafood shells, nuts, and fruit pits.
Let me tell you, I once thought I could toss a handful of potato peels down the disposal—big mistake! They turned into a starchy mess that took forever to clean out. To keep things running smoothly, stick to soft food scraps and always run cold water while the disposal is on. Cold water helps solidify grease, making it easier to chop up and flush away. Also, grinding a few citrus peels every now and then can keep things smelling fresh without clogging the system. A quick tip I picked up from a plumber friend: cut large food scraps into smaller pieces before tossing them in to avoid overloading the motor.
Issue: Your Garbage Disposal Is Silent
If your unit isn’t running or making any noise, this usually indicates a problem with its electrical supply, according to Justin Cornforth, owner of Ace Home Company. Cornforth explains this is likely due to the appliance previously becoming overloaded with too much waste.
The Solution: First, make sure the unit is plugged in. “This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how easily a garbage disposal can be unplugged from its outlet under the sink,” says Joseph Wade, vice president of operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. “Next, check your reset button on the plug. Push it in and try running the unit again. If it pops out again, you probably need to call a professional for your garbage disposal repair.” You might also check the circuit breaker which supplies the unit. Reset the breaker if it has tripped. “If the breaker continues to trip, this is a sign of a more serious issue, and you should call a pro,” advises Wade.
I’ve had this exact issue before, and it was just a loose plug—felt silly after stressing about it! But seriously, electrical issues can be tricky. Overloading happens when you stuff too much waste in at once, which can trip the internal breaker. To prevent this, feed waste gradually and avoid cramming the disposal. If you’re resetting the breaker and it keeps tripping, it might be a wiring issue, which could cost anywhere from $100 to $300 to fix professionally, depending on your area. A neat trick I’ve used is to double-check the outlet with another appliance to make sure it’s not the socket itself causing the problem.
Issue: Garbage Disposal Is Making a Clanking or Grinding Sound
In the case of weird sounds—such as grinding, metal-on-metal, or clicking—a foreign object has likely found its way into the disposal.
The Solution: Whether it be a stray utensil, measuring spoon, or piece of jewelry, it’s important to be careful. “Don’t try to retrieve it with your hands,” warns Cornforth. “Use pliers or tongs instead so as not to cut yourself.”
I once dropped a spoon in my disposal and heard that awful clanking—it’s not a sound you forget! Foreign objects are a common issue because disposals aren’t designed to handle metal or hard plastics. A quick safety tip: always turn off the power at the breaker before poking around in there. If you’re not sure what’s stuck, shining a flashlight down the drain can help you spot the culprit. For small items, a shop vac can sometimes suck them out without any dismantling. This kind of issue is super common—plumbers say they see it in about 30% of disposal calls—so don’t feel bad if it happens to you.
Issue: Garbage Disposal Is Making a Humming Noise
If your disposal is making an unusual humming noise, turn it off immediately. “More than likely, you have a jammed flywheel,” Wade shares. “Although the reset button should trip before any damage can occur to the motor, you don’t want to take any chances.”
The Solution: Turn off the power, both at the unit and at the electrical panel. Then, use an Allen wrench (or the tool that came with the unit) to manually free the flywheel. “Put the wrench in the proper hole and turn it clockwise until the flywheel freely moves,” instructs Wade. “Push down until you feel the flywheel break loose, then turn the power back on and see if that solves the problem.” “You can also try turning the impellers with a strong magnet from the outside—some models respond to this,” Cornforth adds. “If you see that some fibrous foods are stuck, then pour boiling water down first. It will soften the fibers and be easier to remove.” After a thorough cleaning, your garbage disposal should again work fine. However, “if the disposal starts spinning but stops quickly, the motor capacitor might be the real problem,” Cornforth warns.
That humming noise is such a giveaway—I’ve heard it a couple of times when celery strings got tangled in my disposal. The flywheel is basically the spinning part that powers the blades, and when it’s stuck, the motor hums but can’t move. Boiling water works wonders for fibrous stuff like celery or corn husks because it softens them up, making them easier to dislodge. If you’re dealing with a motor capacitor issue, though, that’s a bit more serious—think $150-$200 for a repair if you call someone in. A little maintenance tip: running a handful of ice cubes through the disposal every month can help keep the flywheel and impellers clear of gunk.
Issue: Garbage Disposal Isn’t Breaking Down Waste
If your disposal is running but not breaking down the waste, the issue might be stuck impellers—which is what grinds up the food.
The Solution: “Drop ice cubes mixed with salt inside and run it to free them up,” Cornforth advises. “If it still won’t grind well, the blades are dull, and you probably will need to replace the disposal.”
I tried the ice-and-salt trick after my disposal started struggling with apple cores, and it worked like a charm! The salt acts like an abrasive to scrub the impellers clean, while the ice helps knock off stuck debris. If the blades are dull, though, you’re looking at a replacement, which can run $100-$400 depending on the model. To avoid this, I’ve learned to avoid tough stuff like avocado pits or chicken bones—those are better off in the compost. Regular maintenance, like grinding a few lemon wedges, can also keep the impellers sharp and odor-free.
Issue: Garbage Disposal Is Running, But Not Draining
If the disposal is running but your sink is backing up, David Lewis, owner at Mission AC and Plumbing, says that’s more of a drain issue than a disposal issue. “Disposals can only do so much if the pipes are clogged further down,” he explains.
The Solution: “Plunging the sink can help, but if it’s really packed, you might need to take apart the P-trap and clean it out.”
I’ve had to deal with a backed-up sink a few times, and let me tell you, plunging is no fun but it’s effective! The P-trap, that U-shaped pipe under the sink, is a magnet for grease and food scraps. A plumber once told me that about 40% of kitchen clogs start in the P-trap because it’s the first spot where debris collects. If you’re cleaning it out, have a bucket ready for the mess—it’s not pretty. For a quick fix, I’ve found that a mix of baking soda and vinegar poured down the drain can help loosen minor clogs before plunging. Just let it fizz for 10 minutes first.
