How to Fix a Humming or Jammed Garbage Disposal

The absolute most critical first step is to ensure there is no power going to the garbage disposal. Locate the power cord for the disposal under the sink and unplug it from the wall outlet. If the unit is hardwired and does not have a plug, you must go to your home's main electrical panel (breaker box) and turn off the circuit breaker that controls the garbage disposal. Verify the power is off by attempting to flip the disposal switch on the wall; there should be no sound or movement.

With the power safely disconnected, use a flashlight to peer down into the garbage disposal from the sink drain opening. Look carefully for any foreign objects that may be causing the jam, such as silverware, bottle caps, fruit pits, bones, or other hard debris. If you see an object, use a pair of long-nosed pliers or kitchen tongs to carefully reach in and retrieve it. Never use your fingers.

This is the primary method for unjamming the unit. Position yourself under the sink and locate the very bottom of the disposal unit. In the center, you will find a small hexagonal socket. Insert the garbage disposal wrench (or a 1/4-inch Allen wrench) into this socket. Apply firm pressure and work the wrench back and forth, similar to a ratchet motion. You should feel the internal flywheel (impeller plates) start to move. Continue this rocking motion until the flywheel can spin a full 360 degrees freely. This action manually breaks free whatever is causing the jam.

If the wrench method from below doesn't fully free the jam, or if you can't get the wrench to turn, you can try this method from above. With the power still off, insert the handle of a wooden spoon or a short wooden dowel into the disposal. Do NOT use a metal tool. Place the end of the spoon against one of the impeller blades (the small metal lugs on the spinning plate) and try to push it to leverage it free. Try pushing in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Once it moves, use the wrench from below again to ensure it spins freely.

After the jam is cleared, you need to reset the disposal's internal motor protection. The humming sound from the jammed motor likely caused it to overheat and trip the overload protector. Look on the bottom of the disposal unit for a small, typically red or black, button. If the button is popped out, press it firmly until it clicks and stays recessed. If it's already recessed, the unit may not have tripped, or it may have reset itself as it cooled.

Now it's time to test your work. Ensure all tools have been removed from the sink area and from under the sink. Plug the disposal back into the wall outlet or flip the circuit breaker back on. Go to the sink and turn on a strong flow of cold water. With the water running, flip the garbage disposal switch. The unit should now spin up to speed without humming. Let it run for 15-30 seconds with the cold water to ensure everything is flushed out.

As a final step to ensure the disposal is clean and running well, you can clean and deodorize it. Turn off the disposal but keep the water running for a moment. Then, turn off the water and place a stopper in the sink. Pour about a half cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by one cup of white vinegar. It will fizz and bubble. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Remove the stopper, turn on the cold water, and then turn on the disposal to flush it all out. For extra cleaning and sharpening, you can then grind a few trays of ice cubes. For a fresh scent, grind up a few citrus peels (lemon, lime, or orange).