Sunrise Plumbing and Water Filtration provide emergency plumbing services for your Florida home.
Are you hearing a humming sound coming from your garbage disposal, but it's not working?
Don't worry - troubleshooting and repairing a hum but not running a garbage disposal is easier than you think.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps of troubleshooting and repair so that you can get your garbage disposal running again in no time.
Check the circuit breaker.
The first step in troubleshooting and repairing a garbage disposal that hums but won't work is to check the circuit breaker.
If the circuit breaker has been tripped, reset it. If it continues to trip, there may be an electrical short in the disposal or wiring.
You will need a plumbing service or an electrician to come and take a look at the wiring.
Reset the garbage disposal.
After you have checked the circuit breaker and reset it if needed, you need to try resetting the garbage disposal.
To do this, locate the reset button on the bottom of the garbage disposal unit.
Push in and hold down the reset button for at least 15 seconds.
If successful, you will hear a quiet hum when you release the button and the blades should start spinning again.
Make sure the garbage disposal is plugged in securely.
Before attempting to troubleshoot your humming garbage disposal, make sure that it is plugged in securely.
Oftentimes, the smallest things like a loose connection can cause big issues.
Check the outlet and make sure there is power before continuing with more complicated repairs.
Ensure that the garbage disposal switch is on.
Sometimes, the electricity to the disposal can be inadvertently switched off. Ensure that the switch is turned on, located beneath the sink.
A garbage disposal that hums but does not work may also mean that something is stuck in the grinding chamber or blades. It's advisable to turn off the power to the garbage disposal and visually inspect for any clogs.
If nothing appears to be blocking it, try manually resetting your disposal by pushing its reset button or inserting a hex wrench into where you would normally insert food waste, and turn back and forth quickly several times.
Inspect the power cord for damages and replace if necessary.
Inspect the power cord for visible damages, such as cuts and abrasions. If you notice any, it’s a sign that your garbage disposal needs to be completely replaced.
If it isn’t in use and you don’t detect any evident damage, try resetting the disposal by depressing the reset button which can usually be found near the base of the disposal unit.
If this does not work, you may need an expert plumber to fix the problem.
