Repairing Jammed Garbage Disposal

Hello All.  This is something cool and easy that I learned this past summer when my garbage disposal jammed up and eventually went from a hummng buzzing kind of sound to no noise at all after I kept trying to flip the switch up and down in hopes that it would fix itself =).  Not likely, but I was hopeful.  I got really alarmed, when I had the switch flipped up as it was still in humming mode and then I heard a click and then smelled smoke.  Being an electrical engineer, we learned real quick that smoke is not good :).  Naturally, I thought that I had really screwed something up.

Bottom Line:  If you flip the switch & the garbage disposal just hums & does not turn , it is jammed.

If the disposal will not turn on and it is NOT making a humming sound, then there is an electrical problem.

• This may seem obvious, but make sure the disposal is plugged in.
• If it is plugged in then reach under the bottom of the Gargage Disposal, and press the Reset button found on the bottom of the unit. If it has reset, the button will be popped out. Pressing the reset button will not fix the blockage or clog, but it will at least turn the Garbage Disposal back to its humming sound, which is not our end goal so let's move on.

Here is a picture of the bottom view of the Garbage Disposal.

 

 

• If that does not work, check to see if the circuit breaker has tripped and turned off in the electrical service panel.

Before we go any further, FIRST: TURN OFF THE POWER
Turn off the power for the garbage disposal at the main circuit breaker. Test to make sure the power is off by turning the switch to the ON position. If it doesn't hum now the power is off.  Turn the switch back to the OFF position.

If it still hums you have not flipped the proper breaker switch , go back & try to figure out witch with breaker is the right one for the disposal.

Some garbage disposals have a plug under the sink , in that case just un-plug it.

Now, take the handle off a plunger & with it at a angle , try to spin the impeller blades inside the disposal. Most of the time you can clear a jammed disposal this way.  I was not successful in getting anywhere at this point.

If this fails to un-stick the disposal , then you need to try an allen wrench (garbage disposal allen wrench - 1/4"). Most disposals come with a allen wrench tool & if you are lucky, whoever installed it has that allen wrench tool stored under the sink some where. If you do not have an allen wrench this size, then Home Depot/Lowes sell them for about $7-$8.  Way forward, keep it safe and handy in case you need it again.  It's a must have within a household.

In the center of the bottom of the disposal there is a hole , stick the allen wrench into this hole. Now turn it back & forth till it turns freely.

Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker or plug the disposal back in. Turn on the cold water & turn on the switch. Your disposal should be turning freely now.

Ta Daaaa....All Done.  Don't forget to keep the Garbage Disposal Allen Wrench somewere safe with the rest of your essential house tools.

If it is not turning freely , you will need to repeat the steps. If this fails the get it working right you may need to replace the disposal. your problem could be more that something jammed in the blades.