why has my garbage disposal stopped working?

Answer 1

You've either got something stuck in it, or it has rusted to the point that it can't turn.

Cute the switch to off...Use a wooden spoon or dowel and flashlight...Have a peek inside. If it's rusty or something is in there, you should be able to see it. For rust, have the unit replaced. For something stuck, using the wooden spoon, spin the cutters BACKWARDS....that should free up the cutters.

A third option is that it may have tripped the overload button. It's a red button on the side of the unit.....press it....if that doesn't work, see the above 2 suggestions.

Listen carefully when you switch it on....if you hear it humming, it's hung or rusted.

Answer 2

There may be a reset switch on the disposal. You can check under the sink on the disposal unit for a button that might need to be pushed. If not, then as others have said, you may need to rotate the blades manually. You can purchase a tool for just this purpose. It is relatively cheap, but it is a hassle if you don't want to make an extra trip. I had a problem with a disposal once that often stopped working. It was helpful to have the tool handy and I would just stick down the sink, turn and we'd be running again.

Answer 3

Not much information here, but I can give you some tips on how to get it going again. May guess is that it got jammed and tripped its internal breaker. There should be an allen socket on the bottom center of the motor unit under the sink. You can use an allen wrench( or the wrench that came with the unit if you have it ) to move the disposer motor back and forth to loosten it up. If there is something inside it causing the jam, remove that as well. After you have done that, press the reset switch on the bottom or side of the motor (under the sink).

Answer 4

Most garbage disposals have a circuit breaker on the bottom. They also come with a special allen wrench. The idea is if something causes the unit to jam, you can use the wrench. Insert it into the whole in the bottom of the disposal and twist it back and forth until it's free of the jam. Then push the reset button which is also on the bottom. Turn it on and, hopefully, it will work again!

Hope this is all it is! Good Luck!

Answer 5

Probably something got stuck in the disposer, a piece of bone, maybe.
Be sure the disposer is turned off. I you have the special wrench, place it in the hole you will find under the disposer. If not, take a plummers plunger or other handle and place it upsidedown in the disposer. Push the handle so that the insides move counterclockwise, releasing what is jambing it. It only takes a short movement to do it.
If that doesn't do it go to the hardware store to get one of the wrenches and ask how to use it.
Be sure to take with you the brand and model of the disposer that can be found on the side of it.

Answer 6

There are a couple of possibilities here. There is a circuit breaker on the disposal unit. Make sure that it hasn't tripped and cut off power to the unit.
Simply press on it and try the unit again. Make sure the motor will turn by inserting a piece of wood and prying the motor to see if it is free to turn.
Next make sure it is getting power, by checking the circuit breakers in the house wiring.
Make sure the wall switch is oprational, but carefully, remove it from the wall and put a jumpr wire across the contacts to override the switch.
If it still does not work. you probably need a new unit. Mine failed, so I removed it and replaced it with a normal drain, because i really didn't need it anyway.

Good Luck and be careful, to use rubber gloves, unless you are proficient at working with live wires.

Answer 7

It's either worn out or something is hung in the blades. Make SURE it is shut off and get a flashlight and a pair of tongs, pull aside the rubber gasket on the drain and look into it to see if something is hung (usually at the edge) between the grinder blades and the drain. Last time at my house it was a penny. Be very careful, if it comes on while you have anything in there, it will be ground up, including your fingers.

Answer 8

1) its motor is dead.You will need to replace it
2) the blades are jammed. You need to unjamming them by removing whatever you fed it.
3) its blades are broken. Maybe it fed its something it didn't like, or maybe the blade just broke. You need to replace it.

Replacing a garbage disposal is easy. It takes about an hour, and needs just a couple of tools.

Answer 9

who cares why?
stick a broom handle down there and dislodge any thing that has jammed the mechanism
then remove broom handle before switching on.
If still not working look for a circuit breaker on or near the device

Answer 10

Most likely the motor has burned out. Usually they are not worth repairing if it is an older one. If you are mechanic or know someone who is, they are easy to install.