What to do when your garbage disposal hums but won’t spin

Steven E / Friday December 27, 2024

If your garbage disposal is humming but not spinning, don’t worry, that sound usually means the motor is working, but something is stopping the blades from turning. This is a problem you can often fix yourself with a few simple steps. We’ll walk you through what might be causing the issue and how to get your disposal back in action.

Important note: Keep in mind, the advice here might not apply to every single appliance model out there. We do our best to give helpful tips for all kinds of DIY fixes, but different models can vary, so troubleshooting steps, error codes, and parts might differ. For the most accurate info, it’s best to consult your appliance’s manual or give us a shout if you’ve got any questions.

Contents hide

I What to do when your garbage disposal hums but won’t spin

I.I Safety precautions

I.II Why your garbage disposal is humming but not spinning

I.II.I 1. It’s clogged up

I.II.II 2. The unit overheats

I.II.III 3. The motor might be bad

I.III How to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly

I.III.I Regular maintenance

I.III.II Don’t overload it

I.III.III Watch for worn parts

I.IV We’re here to help

I.IV.I Share this entry

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.

Why your garbage disposal is humming but not spinning

1. It’s clogged up

If your disposal is humming without spinning, odds are it’s jammed. Food bits or random objects may have gotten stuck, keeping the blades from turning like they should.

How to unclog your disposal

Unplug the disposal and flip off the breaker.
Locate the hex socket under your disposal unit and insert an Allen wrench.
Twist the wrench back and forth to manually turn the flywheel. This can free up any blockages and let the blades move again.
Once you’ve cleared the jam, turn the power back on and run the disposal with water to see if it’s working smoothly.

Need more help? Swing by our repair help section for detailed how-tos.

2. The unit overheats

Sometimes the motor gets too hot, causing the disposal to hum without spinning. This can happen if you’ve run it for a long time, the blades are dull, or you’ve overloaded it.

How to cool down an overheated motor

switch off and unplug the disposal to let it cool down.
Wait about 15-20 minutes for the motor to cool off completely.
Look for a red reset button on the bottom of your unit and press it to reset the motor.
Make sure nothing’s blocking the blades before you turn it on again.
Plug it back in and run some water to see if it’s working.

3. The motor might be bad

If you’ve tried everything and the disposal still isn’t spinning, the motor could be the issue.

What to do if the motor is faulty

Garbage disposals usually last around 10-15 years. If yours is aging, it might be time for a new one.
See if your unit is still under warranty for repair or replacement options.
If the motor’s burned out, getting a new disposal could be more cost-effective than fixing the old one.
Look into models with more horsepower or features that can help prevent future problems.

How to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly

Regular maintenance

Running your disposal daily with cold water can prevent rust and corrosion, keeping everything moving nicely.

Don’t overload it

Feed items into the disposal gradually and avoid putting in large amounts all at once. This helps prevent clogs and eases the strain on the motor.

Watch for worn parts

Keep an eye on components like the rubber gasket. Swapping out worn parts can prevent leaks and water damage down the line.

Need replacement parts? Check out our website for a wide range of components that fit various models.