My Trash Compactor Hums When I Try to Start It

Taking a Look Inside

• The easiest way to find out why your compactor is humming is to take a careful look inside the unit. Unplug your trash compactor and take it to an area in your home where you can work on it comfortably and safely. Remove the unit's front and bottom covers using a Phillips-head screwdriver, and, if necessary, a socket and ratchet, to gain access to the internal components. Please note: If you are not comfortable or familiar with this type of work, it is best to take it to a professional to diagnose the problem.

Problems with Chain, Sprocket or Screws

• Once you gain access to the internal components, look at the sprocket (the large gear connected to the motor at the bottom of the unit). The motor-driven gear connects to two large rotating screws via a chain or belt. Make sure all these components are properly mounted and in good condition. The chain or belt should be properly installed. A loose chain might indicate a problem with the chain or belt itself or one of the related components.

Stuck Ram

• Try to rotate the motor-driven gear by hand a few degrees to make sure the gear and all the components it connects to move freely. If the gear seems stuck, check the two large screws and the flat block it connects to. This block, called the ram, fits inside the trash container. The block compresses the trash when you operate the unit. Make sure the screws are properly lubricated and nothing is stuck around the sides of the block. If a piece of glass, plastic or some other solid item in the trash found its way between the block and the trash container, it will prevent the ram from moving, causing the motor to hum.

Problems at the Start Switch

• The motor inside your trash compactor needs the 110 AC voltage provided by your home electrical circuits in order to operate. If the motor is not getting sufficient power, it will not operate correctly. If they are accessible in your trash compactor unit, check the wires at the start switch, which you press to operate the unit. Follow the wires and make sure the connections are solid. If one of the wires is loose or damaged, it will provide resistance against electrical current, preventing full power from reaching the motor. Also, your start switch might not be functioning properly. Problems with the electrical harness and start switch, though, are less common.

Motor Problems

• Your trash compactor motor comes equipped with an internal switch, which sometimes can stop working. In addition, other components within the motor may fail as well. Unfortunately, problems with most trash compactor motors require a motor kit as a replacement part. So, if you have determined the problem lies with the motor itself, you (or a professional) will have to install a new one.