How to troubleshoot & fix garbage disposal blades that won’t spin

If your garbage disposal hums but the blades aren’t spinning, it’s a sign something’s jammed or off. Don’t worry, it’s a common issue with a simple fix. Let’s walk through how to troubleshoot and get those blades spinning again.

Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance and may not correspond precisely to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer practical tips for a range of DIY appliance repairs, variations in model designs and configurations can result in differing troubleshooting steps, error codes, or replacement parts. For the most accurate information, please refer to the technical sheet or user manual specific to your appliance.

Safety precautions   

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 
• Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.

Read more: Easy Garbage Disposal Repair Guide

Cause 1: The disposal is jammed

A clicking noise often means something is stuck in the garbage disposal’s grinding chamber, preventing the flywheel or impellers from spinning properly. This could be caused by foreign objects like utensils, bones, or tough food scraps.

How to fix it:

1. Unplug the disposal or switch off the circuit breaker to ensure it’s completely powered down.
2. Shine a flashlight into the sink opening to check for visible obstructions.
3. Look for non-food items, hard scraps, or debris that could be jamming the blades.
4. Use tongs or pliers to carefully extract any stuck items. Avoid using your hands, even with the power off, for safety.
5. Locate the hex-shaped hole on the bottom of the disposal unit.
6. Insert an Allen wrench (usually provided with the disposal) into the hole.
7. Rotate the wrench back and forth to free the flywheel and dislodge any remaining debris.
8. Plug the disposal back in or flip the circuit breaker back on.
9. Run cold water and turn on the disposal to check if the noise is gone.

Read more: How To Quickly And Easily Unclog Your Kitchen Double Sink With A Garbage Disposal

Cause 2: Worn or damaged impellers

The impellers in your garbage disposal are responsible for pushing food scraps against the grinding ring to break them down. Over time, these impellers can wear out, loosen, or become misaligned.  

How to fix it:

1. Unplug the garbage disposal from the outlet or switch off the circuit breaker to ensure it cannot accidentally turn on.
2. Shine a flashlight into the grinding chamber to check the condition of the impellers.
3. Look for signs of wear, damage, or misalignment. Impellers should pivot freely on the flywheel; if they’re stuck or loose, they may need to be replaced.
4. Insert an Allen wrench into the hex-shaped hole on the bottom of the disposal.
5. Turn the wrench back and forth to move the flywheel. Watch the impellers as you do this to see if they move smoothly or appear stuck.

Cause 3: The reset button has tripped

When the motor is overloaded or jammed, the garbage disposal’s built-in overload protector activates, shutting off the unit to prevent damage. This can cause a clicking sound as the motor tries to run but fails due to the tripped reset button.

How to fix it:

1. Unplug the disposal or switch off the circuit breaker for safety.
2. Find the small button, usually red, on the bottom or side of the disposal unit.
3. Press the button firmly until it clicks back into place. This resets the overload protector.

Cause 4: Electrical or motor issues

If the motor in your garbage disposal is damaged or there’s an electrical issue, the impellers and flywheel won’t spin. Common electrical problems include damaged wiring, a failed motor, or an internal short circuit. These issues can prevent the disposal from receiving or utilizing power properly.

How to fix it:

1. Unplug the garbage disposal or switch off the circuit breaker to eliminate any risk of electrical shock while troubleshooting.
2. Check the power cord for visible damage, such as frayed or exposed wires.
3. If the disposal is hardwired, examine the electrical connections at the wall or junction box to ensure they’re secure and undamaged.
4. Plug another small appliance, like a lamp or phone charger, into the disposal’s outlet to ensure it’s delivering power.
5. If the outlet isn’t working, check and reset the circuit breaker or GFCI outlet.

Test the motor with a multimeter:

1. Access the motor terminals (refer to your disposal’s manual for guidance).
2. Set a multimeter to test for continuity and place the probes on the motor terminals.
3. If the multimeter shows no continuity, the motor is likely burned out and will need to be replaced.

If the motor has failed, it’s usually more practical to replace the entire disposal since motors are often not repairable.

Read more: How to fix a burning smell in your garbage disposal

Additional information

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