Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting

Most garbage disposal problems take under 5 minutes to fix. Find your symptom below and jump straight to the solution.

What's Your Disposal Doing?

Humming but not spinning?

The flywheel is jammed — easy fix with an Allen wrench

Completely silent when you flip the switch?

Power or reset issue — check these 3 things

Running but water drains slowly?

Clog in the drain line — not the disposal itself

Leaking water under the sink?

Connection or seal problem — location tells the fix

Just need to reset it?

30-second fix — find the red button

Not sure? Start with the reset button. It fixes more problems than any other single step.

The #1 Fix: Reset Your Disposal

  1. 1 Turn off the wall switch
  2. 2 Find the red button on the bottom of the disposal
  3. 3 Press firmly until it clicks
  4. 4 Turn on water, then flip the switch

Done? If that fixed it, you're all set. If not, keep reading for the full guide.

If that fixed it, you're done. If not, use the diagnosis list above to find your specific issue. For the full walkthrough, see our complete reset guide.

Common Disposal Problems

Jammed Flywheel (Humming Sound)

When you hear a hum but the blades don't spin, something is stuck. A 1/4" Allen wrench in the bottom of the disposal usually frees it in under a minute.

Power Issues (Completely Silent)

No sound at all usually means a power problem — not a dead disposal. Check the reset button, GFCI outlet, and circuit breaker before assuming the worst.

Drain Clogs (Water Backing Up)

If the disposal runs but water drains slowly, the clog is in the drain line, not the disposal itself. A plunger or P-trap cleaning usually does the trick.

Leaks (Water Under Sink)

Where the leak comes from determines the fix. Top and side leaks are usually fixable. Bottom leaks often mean replacement.

When to Call a Pro

Some problems need professional help:

  • Electrical wiring issues — If the outlet has power but the disposal is completely unresponsive after resetting
  • Persistent leaks from the bottom — Internal seals have failed
  • Burning smell from the motor — Motor damage requires replacement
  • Unit over 10 years old with multiple problems — Replacement makes more sense than repair

For everything else, start with our complete fix guide and work through the solutions. Most disposal problems have a simple DIY fix.