What to do when your garbage disposal’s flywheel fails

Got a garbage disposal that’s making noise but not really doing its thing? No biggie—it might be simpler to fix than you’d expect. Let’s get into how you can sort it out yourself.

What we’re about to share might not fit your exact garbage disposal model. We try to dish out useful tips for all DIY repairs, but with so many models out there, things can vary—steps, error codes, parts, you name it. For spot-on advice, it’s best to check your appliance’s manual or hit us up if you’ve got questions.

What’s up with common garbage disposal problems

That trusty garbage disposal under your sink helps you handle food scraps, but when it starts acting up, it could be caused by all sorts of things—clogs, electrical hiccups, or even mechanical breakdowns.

Safety first: cut the power to your garbage disposal

Before getting started, play it safe:

• Switch off the power to the disposal—either unplug it or flip the circuit breaker.
• Make sure it’s totally off before you go poking around.

Give it a reset

Sometimes, the fix is easier than you’d think. If your disposal overloaded, it might’ve tripped its own breaker. Here’s how to reset it:

1. Find the reset button—usually a little red guy underneath the unit.
2. Push the reset button in until it clicks.
3. Plug the disposal back in or flip the breaker to restore power.
4. Turn on the cold water and let it run into the disposal.
5. Switch on the disposal and see if it’s back in action.

If it’s humming along nicely now, problem solved!

Figure out a jammed flywheel

So, you reset it and it’s still just humming but not grinding? Chances are, the flywheel’s stuck. Could be because of:

• Bits of food wedged between the impeller blades and the shredder ring.
• Random stuff that fell in by accident.

Knowing what’s causing the jam helps you pick the right fix.

Unjam the flywheel

Use a hex wrench

Think the flywheel’s stuck? Here’s how to unjam it with a wrench:

1. Find the hex hole in the center underneath your disposal.
2. Stick the wrench in there.
3. Turn the wrench back and forth—clockwise, then counterclockwise—to loosen whatever’s stuck.
4. You should feel it starting to move freely as the jam clears.

This way, you’re moving the flywheel manually from the outside—no hands in the disposal!

Use a broom handle or wooden spoon

No wrench? No worries—a broom handle or wooden spoon can help:

1. Double-check that the disposal is off and unplugged.
2. Stick the end of a broom handle or wooden spoon into the drain opening.
3. Push it down until you feel one of the impeller blades.
4. Gently rock it back and forth to try and budge the impeller.
5. Keep at it until you can move the impeller freely.

Go easy—you don’t want to wreck the impeller or scratch up the inside.

Give it a test run

Now that you’ve hopefully unjammed it, let’s see if it works.

1. Plug it back in or flip the breaker to get power back on.
2. Run cold water into the disposal.
3. Switch on the disposal and see if it does its thing.

If it’s running smoothly, nice job—you fixed it!

Need your model number?

Having your disposal’s model number makes it way easier to find the right parts or instructions. Not sure where to look? Check out our guide on finding your appliance’s model number.

Need more help? We’re here for you. Swing by our repair help section for more tips and guides.

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