But when they break, you'll wish you knew more about them.
A blown fuse is the most common cause of garbage disposal that won't turn on. The fuse is near the bottom of the unit, where the wiring connects to the disposal's electrical box. The fuse can be replaced by removing it from its slot.
If you have a leaky sink drain, this can cause the disposal to run continuously. To fix this issue, tighten all connections in the area and ensure no leaks are under your sink.
What Causes Garbage Disposal Not To Turn On?
There are several reasons why your garbage disposal may turn off. Here are some common causes:
Power Supply
Ensure your garbage disposal and the outlet it is plugged into receive power. You can test the outlet with another appliance to see if it works.
Check the Electrical Connection
Check the electrical connection first if your garbage disposal won't turn on. Ensure that it is securely connected to the outlet and to the switch or circuit breaker box. If it is loose, tighten the connection with a screwdriver or pliers until it is snug but not too tight. If this doesn't work, check the power at another outlet in case of an outage or an issue with your electricity supply.
A clogged drain line or sink trap
If you're using a garbage disposal, you should never pour greasy or fatty substances down the drain. Grease can build up at the bottom of your sink, clogging the pipes and preventing water from flowing freely. If this happens, it can cause your garbage disposal to stop working properly.
Your garbage disposal might also stop working if food debris is caught in its impellers — small blades that chop up food waste before sending it into the pipes. To fix this problem, turn off your power supply at the breaker box and try running water through each section of the pipe until the blockage clears out completely. You may need to do this several times before everything flows freely again.
Garbage Disposal Is On The Wrong Circuit
If you have multiple circuit breakers in your house, correctly place your garbage disposal on the wrong circuit. To fix this problem, unplug the disposal from its outlet and plug it into another outlet not controlled by the same switch or breaker as other electrical devices in your home.
Bad Motor
If you have ruled out all other possible causes of why your garbage disposal won't run, it may be time to replace the motor.
Circuit Breaker
If the disposal is not receiving power, it may have tripped the circuit breaker. Check the circuit breaker panel and reset the breaker if necessary.
Overloaded Disposal
If you have overloaded the disposal with too much food waste, it may have overheated and shut off. Allow the disposal to cool down, and then try resetting it by pressing the reset button on the bottom of the unit.
Jammed Disposal
It may not turn on if something is jammed in the disposal. Use pliers or tongs to remove foreign objects from the disposal, then try resetting them.
Faulty Motor
If none of the above solutions work, the motor may be fine. In this case, it's best to call a professional plumber or electrician to diagnose and repair the issue.
Older Model
If you have an older model with no power cord, check the circuit breaker or fuse box before doing anything else. If you have power in all the other outlets, but nothing happens when you turn on the disposal switch, there's probably something wrong with the switch itself. You can either replace it or have an electrician come out and do it for you.
What To Do If The Garbage Disposal Won't Turn On?
A garbage disposal is a great tool for eliminating food waste and other unwanted items. However, it can be frustrating when yours won't turn on.
Unplug And Plug It Again
Try unplugging the unit and then plugging it back in. If that doesn't work, you'll need to check the circuit breaker or reset button (if there is one) to ensure your power isn't out. It's also possible that the garbage disposal's switch has been tripped by something stuck in the disposal or blocking its path.
Clogged Drain Line
If your drain line has been clogged, the entire sink will not drain. The clog will prevent water from flowing through the disposal and cause it not to work properly.
Clogged Garbage Disposal
If your garbage disposal has been clogged, it can prevent it from working correctly. This can happen if you put too much food into the unit or something else was accidentally thrown down the drain and got stuck in the unit's blades.
The Disposal Doesn't Have Enough Power
Most disposals need about 1/3 horsepower (HP) to run them properly, but some older models only require 2/5 HP or less power to run them properly. If your disposal doesn't have enough power, it may not be able to turn when you try to turn it on.
Check for an Inverter-Style Plug
Electricity runs through an inverter-style plug differently than in a standard outlet. The wires in an inverter-style plug are surrounded by a casing that acts as a transformer and ensures that electricity flows properly from the outlet to your appliance. The casing also helps protect you from electrical shock and fires caused by faulty wiring or other problems with your garbage disposal.
If you have an inverter-style plug on your garbage disposal, plug it into an outlet with power running through it. The electrical socket should have three prongs: two round prongs at either end of the socket and one flat prong in the middle of them both. The garbage disposal should have three prongs: two round ones at either end of its base and one square or rectangular prong between them. If any of these numbers don't match up, call an electrician immediately because there may be something wrong with your outlet or appliance.
Run Cold Water
Make sure there is only a little food on the disposal. Run cold water down it for about 15 seconds to clear out any excess pieces of food, and then try turning it on again. If that doesn't work, use tongs or pliers to remove any remaining pieces of food from inside the disposal and then turn it back on again before running more cold water down it.
Why Does My Garbage Disposal Have Power But Won't Turn?
If you have a garbage disposal, you know how convenient it is to have one. You can dispose of food waste and other materials that otherwise require you to use the trash. But if your garbage disposal won't turn on, all of this convenience disappears. Here are some reasons why your garbage disposal might not be working properly and what you can do about it:
The Power Is Off
If your garbage disposal does not have power, several things may need to be corrected with it. The first thing you should check is whether or not the power cord is plugged into an outlet with power. If it is plugged in but still does not work, there may be something wrong with the cord or outlet.
Try another outlet, or try plugging another appliance into that outlet to see if it works (if there is another outlet nearby). If neither works, the cord or the outlet may be damaged and must be replaced.
The Breaker Has Been Tripped
If the power cord is plugged in but won't work, there could be another problem with your electrical system. First, ensure that every breaker in your home is turned on and off at the right times of the day. Then check to see if your main circuit breaker has tripped. You can do this by flipping it back on and waiting a few minutes to see if any sparks or smoke are coming from your garbage disposal. If you don't smell anything burning, then your garbage disposal should turn on again.
Randall Edwards
The Motor Has Burned Out
If everything else works correctly, you may need to replace the motor. This can happen over time as the garbage disposal gets used more frequently or if it gets jammed up with food particles.
An access panel on the bottom of the disposal should allow you to reach into it and open up the motor compartment to access its terminals. You may notice wires that are loose or melted together if this has happened before, so be careful when handling them during repairs!
Wrapping Up
The most common problems are linked to the failure of the electrical switch connected to the garbage disposal. If the garbage disposal takes a long time to turn on, check if its electric switch is still good and properly connected. Another reason that your garbage disposal won't turn on is due to clogged plumbing. In this case, you will need to unclog the steel pipe with the help of a traditional pipe wrench or pliers.
