Drains
Garbage Disposal Not Working? Try This First
Updated · Written by the SteadWell team
Short answerIf the disposal hums, the flywheel is jammed: turn the power off and free it with a hex key in the bottom socket. If it's silent, press the red reset button and check the breaker. If it leaks from the unit's body, it needs replacing.
Safety first
Switch the disposal off at the wall switch and, if you're reaching in with tools, at the breaker too. Never put your hand in the grinding chamber — use tongs or pliers to remove objects.
Match the symptom
- Hums but doesn't grind: jammed flywheel — turn it with a 1/4-inch hex key from underneath, remove the obstruction, press reset
- Completely silent: press the reset button, check the switch and breaker
- Drains slowly: a clog in the drain line after the disposal, not the unit itself
- Leaks from the top: the sink flange seal
- Leaks from the side: the dishwasher hose or discharge connection
- Leaks from the bottom of the unit: internal seal failure — replace the disposal
When to call a plumber
Call if the unit trips the breaker repeatedly, leaks from its body, or the sink stays clogged after the disposal runs freely. A slow sink on both sides usually means the branch drain line needs cleaning.
This guide is general information, not a substitute for an on-site assessment. Read our editorial standards.