Magic Chef Garbage disposal hums but doesn't work: Common Causes & How to Fix

Repair Instructions:

Many disposers have a maintenance access hole on the bottom. Use an Allen wrench in this hole to turn the grinding plate if it jams. For models without bottom access, stick a broom handle down the drain opening instead. Turn the plate to clear clogs. If freeing the plate doesn’t fix a humming motor, a full replacement is needed. Plates that won’t turn at all also require a new disposer. The bottom access hole is designed for clearing jams. But if turning the plate can’t fix the issue, internal damage has likely occurred. A humming motor with a freed plate indicates worn out windings. Seized plates signal extreme internal wear. Either issue requires total disposer replacement. Unsticking a simple clog through the access hole is an easy fix. But major problems like seized plates or dead motors need the entire unit swapped out.

How to Replace Garbage Disposer Shredding Plate

1. Turn off power - Locate the circuit breaker box and switch the garbage disposer circuit breaker to the ""off"" position.

2. Disconnect drain pipe - Unscrew the drain pipe connecting the disposer to the sink drain.
3. Remove disposer - Unscrew the mounting ring that secures the disposer to the sink. Lift the disposer up and out from the sink opening.
4. Remove old shredding plate - Locate and unscrew the bolts holding the old shredding plate in place. Lift off the old plate.
5. Install new shredding plate - Set the new shredding plate in place and insert and tighten the mounting bolts.
6. Reinstall disposer - Lower the disposer back into the sink opening and re-secure with the mounting ring. Reconnect the drain pipe.
7. Restore power - Turn the circuit breaker back on. Turn on the disposer to ensure the new shredding plate is functioning properly.
8. Complete installation - Once operation is confirmed, reassemble any remaining components according to manufacturer instructions.

Repair Instructions:

The garbage disposer motor cannot be repaired if it fails. The motor is sealed inside the disposer unit. This prevents fixing or replacing a worn out or broken motor. The entire disposer must be replaced if the motor quits working. Disposer motors fail from constant grinding wear over time. Warning signs include slow shredding, burning smells, loud noises, tripping reset buttons, or no start. Diagnose motor issues by spinning the bottom plate by hand. If it turns very hard or not at all, the motor is bad. Jammed plates also indicate a worn out motor. Unlike other appliances, the disposer motor is not a replaceable part. The whole disposer must be removed and a new unit installed when the motor fails. Proper disposer replacement restores fast waste grinding and quiet operation.

Repair Instructions:

Many disposers have a bottom access hole to the grinding plate. Insert a disposer wrench or Allen wrench if the plate jams. Turn it back and forth to unstick the clog. If there's no access hole, put a broom handle in the top drain opening. Try to rotate the plate manually to free it up. If the plate turns easily but the motor still hums, the motor itself has failed. Disposer motors are sealed inside and can't be repaired. Humming with a free plate means the motor windings are burned out. Failed motors must be fully replaced. The only fix for a dead motor is a new disposer unit. Motors wear out over time from constant grinding. Loud noises or tripping reset buttons also indicate motor failure. If freeing the plate doesn't get it running smoothly, plan for a full disposer replacement to get back to quiet waste grinding.