Garbage Disposal Humming But Not Working: How to Fix It Fast

A humming garbage disposal that won’t spin is almost always fixable in under 10 minutes. That ominous electrical hum means your motor is getting power, but something is blocking the blades from turning. You probably haven’t broken anything expensive.

The most common cause? Something is jamming the flywheel. A piece of bone, fruit pit, or silverware got wedged between the impellers and the grind ring. The motor tries to spin, can’t, and hums in protest.

Turn off the disposal immediately if it’s still humming. Leaving it running can overheat and burn out the motor.

Here’s what you’ll do: First, try the reset button on the bottom of the unit. If that doesn’t work, you’ll use an Allen wrench to manually free the jammed flywheel. These two fixes solve roughly 90% of humming disposal problems.

Can you fix this yourself? Yes. You don’t need special skills or expensive tools. An Allen wrench (usually 1/4 inch) or even a wooden broom handle will work. If you’ve tried both methods and your disposal still just hums, the motor may have failed and you’re looking at replacement rather than repair.

Below, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for the reset fix, the hex wrench method, how to tell if your motor has burned out, and when it makes sense to call a licensed plumber in Plano, TX.

Why Your Disposal Hums But Won’t Spin

The humming sound is diagnostic. It tells you exactly what’s happening: electricity is reaching the motor, the motor is trying to engage, but the flywheel cannot rotate.

When debris jams the flywheel, the motor pulls excessive current trying to overcome the resistance. A built-in thermal overload switch trips to protect the motor from burning up. This is why the reset button exists and why it often solves the problem after you clear the jam.

The 2-Minute Reset Fix

Before grabbing tools, try this first. Locate the reset button on the bottom of your garbage disposal unit. It’s a small red or black button, usually recessed.

Steps:

1. Turn off the wall switch controlling your disposal
2. Wait 5 minutes for the motor to cool
3. Reach under the sink and find the reset button
4. Press it until you feel or hear a click
5. Turn the water on, then flip the switch

If the button had popped out (which you’ll feel when you push it back in), thermal overload was your problem. The disposal should now spin normally.

No luck? The jam itself needs clearing. Move to the hex wrench method.

How to Unjam a Garbage Disposal

You’ll need a 1/4-inch Allen wrench. Most disposals come with one, but any hardware store hex key works. Look for a hexagonal socket on the bottom center of the disposal.

Hex Wrench Method:

1. Confirm the wall switch is OFF
2. Insert the Allen wrench into the bottom socket
3. Work the wrench back and forth (clockwise, then counterclockwise)
4. You’ll feel resistance, then a sudden release when the flywheel breaks free
5. Remove any debris you can reach through the drain opening
6. Press the reset button
7. Run cold water and test the disposal

No Hex Wrench? Use a Broom Handle:

1. Turn off the disposal and unplug it (or flip the circuit breaker)
2. Insert a wooden broom handle down through the drain opening
3. Press the handle against one of the impeller blades
4. Push firmly to rotate the flywheel manually
5. Work it back and forth until it spins freely

Common jam culprits include chicken bones, fruit pits, broken glass, bottle caps, and small utensils. Always check for and remove foreign objects before testing the unit.

Signs Your Disposal Motor Has Failed

If you’ve cleared the jam, reset the unit, and the flywheel spins freely by hand but the disposal still only hums (or does nothing), the motor has likely failed.

Garbage disposals typically last 8-12 years. If yours is approaching that range and the motor has failed, replacement usually makes more sense than repair. Motor replacement costs often approach or exceed the price of a new unit.

When to Call a Plumber

Call Staggs Plumbing if:

• DIY methods didn’t resolve the humming
• You smell burning or see smoke
• The disposal leaks from the bottom (seal failure)
• You’re uncomfortable working near electrical components
• The unit is hardwired and you can’t unplug it safely

For Plano, TX homeowners, a typical garbage disposal replacement runs $150-$400 installed, depending on the unit you choose. Repair costs for motor issues often aren’t economical since labor approaches replacement cost.

Staggs Plumbing provides same-day service for disposal issues when DIY troubleshooting doesn’t solve the problem.

Preventing Future Jams

Keep your disposal running smoothly with these habits:

Never put these items down your disposal: bones larger than chicken wing size, fruit pits, coffee grounds in large quantities, pasta or rice (they expand), grease or cooking oil, or non-food items.

Frequently Asked Questions

When DIY troubleshooting doesn’t get your garbage disposal spinning again, Staggs Plumbing serves Plano, TX homeowners with fast, professional service. Our licensed technicians diagnose disposal problems and provide upfront pricing before any work begins. Call tel:+19728338660 for same-day appointments.