Garbage Disposal Humming But Not Working? Here’s What’s Really Going On
You flip the switch, ready to grind up those leftovers—and instead, all you hear is that low, stubborn hummmm. No spinning. No draining. Just noise. And now you’re standing there thinking, “Great… what now?”
Sound familiar?
Don’t stress. This is super common—and the good news is, it doesn’t always mean your garbage disposal is broken for good. That humming sound? It’s your disposal’s way of saying, “Hey! Something’s stuck down here!” So let’s figure it out together.
Because yes—you can fix this. And we’ll walk you through it.
Why Is Your Garbage Disposal Humming?
Here’s the deal: if it’s humming, that means it’s still getting power. So it’s probably not an electrical issue. That’s one thing off the list.
Usually, it means either the blades are jammed or the motor has kicked the bucket. Let’s start with the easy fix first.
First: Check for a Jam
Something might be stuck in there—a spoon, a chunk of potato, or who knows what. It happens all the time (don’t worry, we’ve seen it all).
Here’s what to do:
1. Turn off the power.
Flip the wall switch off and unplug the disposal. Safety first.
2. Look inside.
Shine a flashlight down there. Do you see any foreign objects—like silverware or bottle caps? Use tongs or pliers to fish them out. Never your hands.
3. Try the wooden spoon trick.
Stick a wooden spoon inside and gently push the blades. A few nudges might free them up. Still stuck? Keep going.
4. Use an Allen wrench.
Find that little hole at the bottom of the disposal? Insert a ¼ inch Allen wrench and wiggle it back and forth. This manually rotates the flywheel and can break up jams. Then, plug it back in, run some cold water, and flip the switch.
Did it work? Fingers crossed. If it didn’t, the jam might be deeper—like in the P-trap under your sink.
Quick tip: Never run your disposal for more than a minute at a time. And always run cold water when you test it.
If It’s Still Humming, It Might Be the Motor
You’ve tried everything. No blockages, no movement, just the hum of defeat.
Yeah… sounds like your motor might be shot.
When the motor goes bad, it’s usually more cost-effective to replace the entire garbage disposal than to repair it—especially if it’s an older unit. But don’t guess. A professional plumber can give you a straight answer (and save you from spending money on the wrong fix).
Call Protek Plumbing and Drain Specialists—We’re Here 24/7
Still stuck? You’re not alone. Some problems are deeper—like clogs in the drain line or a burned-out motor. That’s where we come in.
Protek Plumbing and Drain Specialists has your back, day or night. We’re proud to offer 24/7 emergency garbage disposal repairs in Charlotte County Florida.
- Fast response
- Honest advice
- Friendly, licensed pros who actually fix the problem
Give us a call anytime at 941-575-7324 and we’ll get your kitchen back to normal—without the hum of doom.