First, which problem do you have?
| What you notice | What it usually is | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Hum, no spinning | A jam holds the grinding plate | Power off, free the plate, press the reset button |
| Nothing at all, no hum | Tripped overload, switch, outlet or breaker | Check the red reset button under the unit; check the power supply |
| Water dripping from the top | Sink flange seal or mounting | Reseal and tighten the mount |
| Water from the side | Dishwasher or drain connection | Tighten or replace the connection |
| Water from the bottom or housing | Cracked or corroded body | Replacement |
| Smell, gurgling, slow drain | Residue in the chamber or a downstream clog | Cleaning; a plumber for a blocked drain line |
The safe way to clear a jam
Turn the switch off, and for hardwired units switch off the breaker too. Use tongs or pliers to remove an object you can see. Even an unplugged disposal has sharp parts.
- Turn off power.Switch off the wall switch. If the disposal is plugged in, unplug it; if it is hardwired, use the breaker.
- Look and lift.Shine a flashlight inside and remove visible objects with tongs.
- Turn the plate by hand.Many units have a hex socket in the center of the underside. A hex key lets you rock the plate back and forth to free it.
- Press reset.A red button on the bottom of most disposals restores power after a thermal overload.
- Test with water.Run cold water, restore power, and try the switch.
What causes repeat jams
- Fibrous foods in quantity — celery, corn husks, onion skins, artichokes.
- Starchy and expanding foods — rice, pasta and potato peels can form paste.
- Grease and oil, which coat the drain and the chamber walls.
- Bones, fruit pits and hard shells that a standard disposal cannot grind.
- Non-food objects: bottle caps, utensils, glass.
Repair, replace or call a plumber
Disposals are among the few kitchen appliances where replacement is often the practical answer. Most units last several years to about a decade. A jam, a reset or a loose mount is a cheap repair, but a leak from the body, a seized motor or heavy corrosion normally means a new unit. If the real problem is a blocked drain line or a leaking trap under the sink, a plumber is the better fit, and we will say so plainly rather than book you the wrong visit.
Disposal trouble often shows up next to dishwasher trouble, since a dishwasher drains through the disposal. If the dishwasher stands full of water, an uncleared knockout plug or a clog in the disposal can be the real cause; the dishwasher repair page covers the sequence.
Keeping it healthy
- Run cold water before, during and for about 15 seconds after grinding.
- Feed small amounts at a time rather than a full load.
- Skip grease, coffee grounds in bulk, and fibrous scraps.
- Freshen with citrus peels or ice and a small amount of dish soap occasionally.
Whether it is a stuck blade or a leak, you can tell us about your disposal and we will pass your request to an independent technician. You can also send a request directly, or visit our home page to see how it works.
Questions people ask
Why does my disposal hum but not spin?
The grinding plate is almost always jammed. Turn off power, free the plate with a hex key in the bottom socket, then press the reset button.
Where is the reset button on a disposal?
Most have a small red button on the underside or lower side of the unit. If it does not stay in, wait several minutes for the motor to cool.
Can a leaking disposal be repaired?
If the leak is at the sink flange or a hose connection, usually yes. If the housing itself is leaking, replacement is the normal answer.
Is it OK to pour boiling water down a disposal?
Hot tap water is fine; avoid pouring very hot liquids into plumbing with plastic parts. Greasy water cools and sticks further down the drain.
Last updated October 13, 2026. This page offers general information to help you describe and understand a problem; it is not a diagnosis. Always follow your appliance manual and local safety rules.