Garbage Disposal Not Working? Quick Fixes That Save a Call

The short version: a disposal that hums is usually jammed; one that's dead usually needs a reset or has tripped a breaker. Both are quick checks. If the unit itself has failed, a home warranty with disposal coverage covers the repair or replacement.

If it's dead (no sound)

1. Press the reset button on the bottom of the unit — the top fix.
2. Check the breaker and the wall switch.
3. If still dead after a reset, the motor has likely failed.

If it hums but won't spin

It's jammed. With the power OFF:

1. Use the hex wrench (or an Allen key) in the bottom socket to turn the flywheel back and forth and free the jam.
2. Remove any debris with tongs — never your hand.
3. Restore power and press reset.

If it leaks

Leaks come from the top (the sink flange), the sides (hose connections), or the bottom (a cracked housing, which means replacement).

When a home warranty covers it

The garbage disposal is a covered item on most Basic Plans. If the unit has failed from normal wear, you file a claim, a technician is dispatched, you pay the service fee, and your plan covers the covered repair or a replacement up to the plan's terms. Not covered: a disposal jammed or broken by something it shouldn't grind.

Key takeaways

• Dead? Press the reset button and check the breaker first.
• Humming? It's jammed — free the flywheel with the hex wrench (power off).
• A failed unit is covered on most basic plans.

Want your disposal and kitchen covered? Get a free, no-obligation quote.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my garbage disposal humming but not working? It's jammed. Turn off the power and use the hex wrench in the bottom socket to free the flywheel, then press the reset button.

Does a home warranty cover a garbage disposal? Yes — it's a covered item on most basic plans. A unit that fails from normal wear is repaired or replaced up to your plan's terms.