At a Glance:
- 3 Common Garbage Disposal Problems
- How to Reset Your Garbage Disposal
- Not All Garbage Disposals Are Repairable
- Make Sure Your Next Garbage Disposal Will Last
- FAQs
- Why Trust Us?
Every day your garbage disposal whisks away food scraps and purees them into small bits. Until one day, your disposal refuses to work. Like any home appliance, your garbage disposal can break on occasion. You may notice that your disposal is still humming, but nothing is getting processed, or your appliance isn’t turning on at all.
Why is my garbage disposal not working? Fortunately, there are multiple easy repairs you can try to get your system running again. There may just be a small issue or food particle that has caused the system to shut down. Follow these steps to learn how to fix your garbage disposal so you can jump into action the second you notice your garbage disposal not working.
1. Your Garbage Disposal is Humming But Not Working
The best way to diagnose the issue of your garbage disposal not working is to consider the different symptoms related to the appliance. One of the most common issues that homeowners report is a garbage disposal humming but not working. This is actually a good sign. The humming sound is your motor. When the garbage disposal continues to hum, it means it is trying to work, but something is preventing it. This is usually a clog.
Garbage disposals use two blades to break up food particles so food scraps can easily get swept down the drain. These appliances work well when small, soft items (like carrot peelings) go down the drain. However, when hard items go down the drain (like bones, fruit pits, and the occasional wedding ring), the blades can’t break down the items, and they can get stuck. This is the same as poking a stick through a bicycle tire so it can’t spin anymore.
Fortunately, this can be an easy fix. Clearing the jam involves unplugging the device, removing the items that are causing the jam, and resetting your garbage disposal.
2. Your Garbage Disposal is Not Turning On
Garbage disposals are simple appliances. Homeowners that report a garbage disposal not turning on often face power issues with their devices. If the problem isn’t related to the machine itself (like a clog), there could be an electrical issue preventing the disposal from working.
Evaluate what happens when you try to use your disposal. If you notice your garbage disposal not working with no sound, then the machine is likely not turning on.
There are multiple ways to troubleshoot this issue. First, you can check the power to your garbage disposal from your electrical circuit. You may have blown a fuse that needs to be flipped. Next, your disposal could be unplugged, or there are issues getting electricity to the device. If this is the case, you may need a qualified electrician or plumber to look at your disposal because your electrical wiring is so close to the water from your sink. There might be a leak affecting your disposal’s electric framework.
3. Your Disposal Won’t Respond to Your Repair Efforts
Oftentimes, homeowners think they have solved the problem, only to realize their garbage disposal still isn’t working. If this is the case, you may need to hit the reset button on your disposal to get it going again.
The reset button works as an automatic shutoff when there is an issue with your garbage disposal. If the disposal overheats, the system will shut down, preventing further damage. If you have a clog in your disposal, the reset button may turn the device off entirely to prevent the blades from grating against the clog endlessly.
You should be able to find the garbage disposal reset button fairly easily on your device. It is usually a button that pops out from the appliance and needs to be pushed in before the device can work.
How to Reset Your Garbage Disposal
If you have never hit the rest button before, it may take a few minutes to figure out how to get your garbage disposal running again. Follow these steps to understand how to reset garbage disposal:
- Make sure the garbage disposal power is set to Off.
- Gently push the red button on the disposal.
- If the button pops back out, wait 10 minutes for the disposal to cool, and then try again.
- If the button stays in, you should be able to use the disposal.
- Turn on a cold stream of water and switch on the disposal to see if it will run again.
If the reset button refuses to stay in or resetting your disposal doesn’t help it work, you may need to contact a garbage disposal repair professional. They can diagnose the issue and let you know if your disposal can be fixed.
Not All Garbage Disposals Are Repairable
While many garbage disposal issues are easily addressed, there are times when this appliance is broken for good. The repairs might be so complex or expensive that it’s worth it to replace the device entirely.
If you are concerned that your sink disposal might be broken for good, contact a plumber for the repairs. Ask about the repair costs and the garbage disposal installation. You may also want to seek a second opinion so you know you are getting honest answers. Even if you plan to install the garbage disposal yourself, it helps to have a clear understanding of the issue.
Once you know your garbage disposal is broken beyond repair, take steps to find a better appliance next time. You want your disposal to last several years and avoid clogs as much as possible.
Make Sure Your Next Garbage Disposal Will Last
There are multiple brands of garbage disposal on the market. How can you tell which ones are better than others? Here are a few highly-rated products that customers choose for their garbage disposal needs.
Shop Garbage Disposals
Replace your old garbage disposal with a new disposal from East Coast Appliance.
Garbage DisposalsGE® 1/3 Horsepower Continuous Feed Food Waste Disposer
GE® is known for having some of the best appliances on the market, and its garbage disposal line is no exception. This appliance has a 2,500 RPM grinding speed to take your food scraps and process them quickly and effectively. It is a large capacity disposal option, which is ideal for families and homeowners who love to cook.
XO 0.5 HP Continuous Feed Food Waste Disposer
XO has developed a mount model that allows you to use this brand for your garbage disposal to replace whatever previous appliance you used. It doesn’t matter if you had a Whirlpool or KitchenAid disposal previously; you can upgrade your options with this XO option.
The stainless steel design keeps your garbage disposal clean while effectively removing food waste. It also comes with bio-guard antimicrobial protection for a sanitary kitchen experience. The sound installation shield also reduces the amount of noise that comes from your garbage disposal without reducing its effectiveness.
KitchenAid® 0.75 HP Continuous Feed Food Waste Disposer
If you are looking for a larger model, consider this option by KitchenAid®. This garbage disposal can fit 40 ounces and process food faster than other options. The disposal has a 3/4 HP motor that rotates at 1725 RPMs. This disposal also boasts two-stage grinding to really puree your food to prevent clogs.
Along with the XO quiet technology, KitchenAid® also has SoundSeal™ Technology which makes your garbage disposal 40% quieter than the average model.
There are multiple food waste disposer brands and models to choose from as you look to replace your existing appliance. Read customer reviews and compare price levels to understand which options work best in different homes.
Garbage Disposal FAQs
How many years should a garbage disposal last?
Garbage disposals will last about 10 years. You will experience noticeable issues when it is time to replace your garbage disposal. You may be able to secure a warranty on your garbage disposal in the event that it breaks within the first year of buying it. Record how old your disposal is so you can look for signs of wear.
Why did my garbage disposal suddenly stop working?
If you’ve turned your garbage disposal on but it fails to clear your waste, it likely means there is a clog in the drain or the pipes. If a clog has occurred, water will back up into the sink or fail to flow into the drain. Your system might also start to hum, but nothing will happen.
Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Shop Garbage Disposals at East Coast
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop garbage disposals online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you if your garbage disposal is not working, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
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