When things go wrong

How to fix a garbage disposal that's jammed or humming

Staff

31 May 2025 — 2 min read

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region.

Your garbage disposal isn’t working. It’s either jammed and not turning, or it’s humming but not grinding. Fixing a jammed disposal is something you can do safely. What you should not do is stick your hands in there or force it. Knowing the right approach keeps you from getting hurt and gets the disposal working again.

Disposals jam when foreign objects (bones, glass, utensils) get stuck. Most jams are removable with basic tools. Never reach into a disposal with your hands.

If It’s Humming But Not Grinding

The motor is running but the grinding mechanism is jammed. Turn off the disposal immediately. Turn off the switch and unplug the unit if possible.

Use a flashlight to look into the drain. Can you see what’s jammed? If you can reach it with tongs or pliers, carefully remove it. Never put fingers in.

For items you can’t see or reach, use the hex wrench that comes with many disposals. The wrench fits into a socket at the bottom of the disposal. Turning it manually frees jamming.

If the hex wrench doesn’t work, try filling the sink with hot water. Turn the disposal on. Sometimes the heat and water combine to loosen the jam.

If these don’t work, the disposal might be truly stuck and need professional help or replacement.

If It Won’t Turn On At All

Check if power is on. Is the switch in the on position? Does the outlet have power? Try the switch a few times.

Some disposals have a reset button (usually red, underneath the unit). Press it and try again.

If the disposal still won’t turn on, it’s likely a motor failure or electrical issue. This is professional repair work or replacement.

Objects That Jam Disposals

Avoid putting these down drains: bones, fruit pits, pasta, rice, grease, glass, metal.

These items jam or damage the grinding mechanism. Better to discard them.

Safe items: vegetable scraps, soft food waste, water-based food.

If You Pull Something Out

Once you remove the jammed item, test the disposal. It should grind normally.

If it still doesn’t work after removing the jam, the disposal might be damaged. Grinding mechanism damage requires replacement.

Prevention

Run water before and after using the disposal. Use ice cubes monthly to clean grinding surfaces. Never force items down.

Don’t overload with large amounts. Process gradually.

When to Call a Professional

If the disposal won’t turn on after checking power and reset button, it needs professional assessment.

If manual unjamming doesn’t work, a plumber can disassemble and attempt removal, or recommend replacement.

For grinding mechanism damage, replacement is usually the answer (cost $150-400 installed).

The Bottom Line

Most disposal jams are removable with tongs, pliers, or a hex wrench. Never put fingers in. Never force. If you can’t free the jam, call a plumber. Prevention through careful disposal use prevents most jams. A working disposal is convenient, but when it fails, it’s often cheaper to replace than repair.

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