Quick answer
A garbage disposal that hums but will not spin is jammed: switch it off, cut the power, and turn it back and forth with a 1/4-inch hex wrench in the socket on the bottom until it moves freely, then remove the object with tongs and press the red reset button. A silent disposal has usually tripped its overload: let it cool and press reset, then check the wall switch, the breaker and any GFCI outlet. If it still will not run, or leaks from the body, call a plumber. Call (888) 217-6781 to reach a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed October 27, 2026· Next review Apr 2027
A garbage disposal that hums but will not spin is jammed. One that is completely silent has lost power or tripped its own overload. Both are usually fixable in a few minutes without tools beyond the hex wrench that came with the unit.
If It Hums but Does Not Turn
- 1Switch it off right away so the motor does not overheat, and unplug it or switch off its breaker.
- 2Turn it by hand from below. In the center of the bottom of the unit there is a hex socket. Fit a 1/4-inch hex (Allen) wrench and work it back and forth until it turns freely all the way round.
- 3Remove what jammed it with tongs or pliers, never your hand. Fruit pits, bones, bottle caps and cutlery are the usual culprits.
- 4Press the reset button (red, on the bottom), restore power and run it with cold water.
If It Is Silent
- 1Press the reset button. The overload trips when the motor overheats; give it a few minutes to cool first.
- 2Check the switch and the breaker. Many disposals are on a wall switch, and some plug into an outlet under the sink that is itself switched.
- 3Check the GFCI outlet in the kitchen or under the sink if the disposal shares one.
Talk to a plumber about this
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Who Fixes What
| What you found | Likely cause | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Hums, turns again after the hex wrench | Jam | Nobody |
| Hums, will not turn even by hand | Seized bearings or a foreign object stuck hard | Plumber |
| Silent, reset trips again straight away | Motor failure or a short | Plumber |
| Runs, but the sink drains slowly | Clog below the disposal | See kitchen sink not draining |
| Water under the sink | A leaking seal or housing; see garbage disposal leaking from the bottom | Plumber |
A disposal that leaks from the body of the unit, rather than from a connection, cannot be resealed and needs replacing. The garbage disposal repair page covers repair or replace.
When to Call
Call if the hex wrench will not loosen it, the reset keeps tripping, or there is water under the sink. (888) 217-6781 connects you to a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more, because the companies taking calls change minute to minute.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my garbage disposal humming but not working?
Something is jamming the flywheel, so the motor cannot turn. Loosening it with a hex wrench from below usually fixes it.
Why is my garbage disposal not doing anything?
The overload has tripped, or the switch, breaker or GFCI outlet has cut the power. Let it cool and press the reset button first.
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
On the bottom of the unit, usually red.
When should a garbage disposal be replaced?
When it leaks from the body of the unit, the motor will not turn even after it is loosened, or the reset trips again immediately.
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.
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