Garbage disposal won't turn on
A garbage disposal that won't turn on and makes no sound at all isn't jammed; it isn't getting power, or its built-in overload has tripped. Pressing the red reset button on the bottom fixes most of them. If that doesn't do it, the problem is usually the plug, a breaker, a GFCI outlet or the wall switch, and a lamp plugged into the outlet tells you which side the problem is on. Silent means no power; humming means a jam. The fix is different for each.
How a disposal gets its power
Most disposals plug into an outlet in the cabinet under the sink, and that outlet is controlled by the wall switch. Some are wired directly into a junction box on the bottom of the unit instead. Many kitchens also have a GFCI outlet that protects the disposal's outlet, sometimes from somewhere else on the counter.
Nearly every disposal has a thermal overload that shuts the motor off when it gets too hot, usually from a jam or a long run. It's the red button on the bottom of the unit, and it pops out when it trips. Batch-feed disposals have no switch at all and only run with the stopper turned in the drain, and some kitchens use a push-button air switch on the counter connected by a thin tube.
Why a disposal goes silent
The motor overheated and shut off.
The kitchen circuit is off.
A counter outlet cut the power.
It worked out of the outlet.
The outlet never gets power.
Power is there, but nothing runs.
| You notice | Likely cause | Start at |
|---|---|---|
| Hums but won't spin | Jammed plate | Disposal jam guide |
| Silent, worked earlier today | Reset button tripped | Step 2 |
| Silent, other outlets dead too | Breaker or GFCI | Step 3 |
| Lamp works in the outlet | Disposal motor or switch inside | Step 7 |
| Lamp doesn't work | Wall switch or wiring | Step 7 |
Let's fix it
- Listen when you flip the switchFlip the switch on and listen. A hum means the disposal is getting power but the plate is stuck; see the guide for a disposal that hums but won't spin. Total silence means no power is getting to the motor, so keep going. Turn the switch off before you reach under the sink.
- Press the reset buttonFind the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal, usually near the center or on the side, and press it firmly. If it clicks and stays in, it was tripped. If it won't stay in, the motor is still hot; wait 10 to 15 minutes and try again. Then turn on cold water and flip the switch.
- Check the plug and the breakerMake sure the disposal's plug is pushed all the way into the outlet under the sink, and that it's in the right outlet if there are two. Then look at your breaker panel for a tripped breaker labeled for the disposal or the kitchen, and switch it fully off and back on. Don't open the panel cover.
- Reset any GFCI outletsLook for a GFCI outlet with TEST and RESET buttons under the sink and on the kitchen counters, and press RESET on each one. A GFCI on the counter can protect the outlet under the sink, so a tripped one elsewhere can leave the disposal dead.
- Test the outlet with a lampUnplug the disposal and plug in a lamp or a phone charger with a phone. Turn the wall switch on. If the lamp lights, the outlet and switch are fine and the problem is in the disposal itself. If it doesn't light, the problem is the switch, the outlet or the wiring. If your disposal is wired directly with no plug, skip this test and call an electrician.
- Check batch-feed and air switch modelsIf your disposal has no wall switch, you may have a batch-feed model, which only runs when the stopper is set in the drain and turned. If there's a push button on the counter, check that the thin air tube under the sink is attached at both ends; the button can't trigger the switch if it's loose. Also check that the air switch's control box is plugged in and the disposal is plugged into the box.
- Decide what's nextIf the outlet has power, the reset is in and the disposal is still silent, the motor or its internal switch has failed and the disposal usually needs replacing. If the outlet is dead with the breaker and GFCIs reset, the wall switch or wiring is the problem; see the guide for replacing a light switch, or call an electrician.
Watch it done
- It starts when you flip the switch
- It runs and grinds normally with cold water
- The reset button stays in
Keeps tripping? It may be jammed or worn out; see the jam guide.
If it hums instead
If it hums but won't spin, see the guide for unjamming a garbage disposal.
If water drips from the bottom of the unit, see the guide for a leaking garbage disposal.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An electrician typically charges $100–$300 to track down a dead outlet or switch. A new disposal costs about $100–$300, plus $150–$300 to have a plumber install it.
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Garbage disposal power questions
Why won't my garbage disposal turn on?
Most often the reset button on the bottom has tripped. If not, check the plug, the breaker, any GFCI outlets and the wall switch.
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
It's a small red button on the bottom of the unit, under the sink. Press it firmly until it clicks.
Why won't my disposal reset button stay in?
The motor is still hot. Wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to cool and try again.
How do I know if my garbage disposal is dead?
Plug a lamp into its outlet with the switch on. If the lamp works, the reset is in and the disposal is still silent, the disposal has likely failed.
Is my garbage disposal on a GFCI?
Often. The outlet under the sink can be protected by a GFCI on the counter, so reset every GFCI in the kitchen.