How to Troubleshoot a Garbage Disposer

In truth, there are only a few things that can really go wrong with a garbage disposer. One of the most common problems is when it kicks off in mid-churn. This usually happens when you try to stuff what's left of the baked tilapia down the drain. In most cases, right before the disposer kicks off, you will hear an audible "click." This is the disposer's built-in circuit protection. Turn the disposer switch off.

You may have to wait a few minutes, but after a period of time, run your hand over the bottom of the disposer unit. You should feel a small button sticking out. Just press the button in and you should feel it click back into position. Flip the disposer switch and it should once again feed on your leftovers.

If the button does not click back in, give it more time. You may have to choose a different chore for the time being and them come back to the disposer later.

If you hear an audible humming noise coming from your garbage disposer, but no grinding action is taking place, the shredders or hammers may be jammed. I don't know who threw that tin foil down the drain, but doggone it can foul up a garbage disposer!

Turn the disposer switch off immediately. Depending on what is in the disposer, sometimes, using a long-shafted screwdriver can help free up the shredders. If you look down inside the disposer with a flashlight you will see a number of holes in the base of the unit. Fit the screwdriver into one of these holes and manually spin the grinding wheel. It may be really difficult at first, but put some elbow grease into it! Once it begins to move, remove the screwdriver, turn the water on and hit the switch. It should clear itself out the rest of the way.

If poor drainage is your problem, stop putting bacon grease down your drain! Odds are there is debris caught in the J bend. Under the sink, locate the J bend and place a bucket underneath it. Loosen the two lock nuts holding the J bend in place and remove the trap. Dump the water out in the bucket and check the trap for debris. Clean it out and reinstall it. Turn the water on and test your disposer's drainage now. If it is still slow, the problem may be further down the line.

If you flip the switch to your garbage disposer and nothing happens and the trip button is all the way in, you may have a problem with the circuit or the switch itself. Check your circuit breakers for a tripped breaker. If nothing is tripped, try replacing the switch. For details on replacing a single pole switch, see the link in Resources below.