Garbage disposal hums but won't spin, or won't turn on

A disposal that hums but will not spin is usually jammed: the motor has power and is trying to turn. One that makes no sound at all has usually tripped its own reset button or lost power. Let's figure out which one you have and what to do next.

Also searched as: garbage disposal humming but not spinning, garbage disposal humming but not working, garbage disposal not working no sound, garbage disposal won't turn on.

Before you start. Never put your hand in a garbage disposal, even with the power off. InSinkErator, Moen and GE all say to keep your hand out and reach in with a tool such as tongs. Before a wrench, tongs or pliers go near it, turn the switch off, then unplug the disposal or turn its breaker off. If you smell burning or see smoke, switch it off and do not run it again: KitchenAid says to stop and call a professional. If you see flames, or the smoke keeps coming once it is off, get out, stay out and call 911.

A hand reaching for the wall switch beside a stainless steel kitchen sink

Under the sink: the reset button and the wrench hole, as InSinkErator places them on most of its models. Other models and makes differ.

Every question and answer on this page, in order

Question 1: What does the disposal do when you flip its switch? If you smell burning or have seen smoke, do not run it again. Pick the first answer. If there is water under the sink, pick the leaking answer, even if the disposal also hums or does nothing.

Not sure what it does? Clear the sink, keep hands and tools away from the drain opening, then flip the switch on for a second or two and off again. Do not leave a humming disposal switched on. Family Handyman says to turn it off right away so you do not damage the unit.

I smell burning or see smoke: Call a plumber: it still hums, keeps tripping or smells hot
Water is leaking under the sink: go to question 2
It hums, but nothing spins: go to question 3
Nothing at all. No hum, no sound: go to question 4
It runs, but it is very loud or it rattles: Likely cause: something loose in the chamber

Question 2: Switch the disposal off and unplug it, or turn its breaker off. Keep your hands dry, and if the outlet, the plug or the cord is wet, leave them alone and use the breaker. Dry everything with a towel, then run water into the sink. Where does the water show up first?

Moen's test: put the stopper in, fill the sink, and wrap paper towels around the top of the disposal, the drain elbow on the side and the dishwasher hose connection. Then let the water out. The wet towel shows you the spot. Water from higher up runs down, so check the top first.

At the top, or at a hose or pipe connection on the side: Likely cause: a loose connection
From the bottom or through the body, and everything above it is dry: Call a plumber: the unit itself is leaking

Question 3: Have you already freed the jam and pressed the reset button?

Freeing the jam means turning the disposal by hand with a wrench, with the power off, until it spins freely.

Not yet: Likely cause: a jam
Yes, and it still only hums, or the wrench will not turn it at all: Call a plumber: it still hums, keeps tripping or smells hot

Question 4: With the switch off, find the red reset button on the disposal under the sink. What is it doing?

InSinkErator puts it on the bottom of the unit, facing the floor. Moen puts it low on the side, opposite the power cord. GE says the bottom or the lower back. A tripped button sticks out; InSinkErator says by about a quarter of an inch. Cannot find a button? InSinkErator says its EZ Connect models have an automatic overload switch: turn the wall switch off, let the disposal cool for up to 20 minutes, then try it again before you go further.

It is sticking out: Likely cause: the overload protector tripped
It is already in, and pressing it changes nothing: Likely cause: no power to the disposal
It will not stay in, or it pops out again soon after: Call a plumber: it still hums, keeps tripping or smells hot

Possible results

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