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Plumbing · Sourced answer

Why is my garbage disposal humming but not spinning?

Questions regarding jammed impellers, reset buttons, and what items should never go down the drain.

The answer

The motor is powered but the shredder ring/impeller is mechanically jammed. Thermal overload trips to prevent motor burnout. Fix:

  1. Unplug unit / turn off breaker
  2. Clear debris from above with pliers (never hands)
  3. Insert 1/4" hex Allen wrench into bottom center socket and rotate back and forth to unstick flywheel
  4. Press red reset button on bottom
  5. Restore power and test with cold water.

Sources

This answer is drawn from the standards and guidance below. It is general information about how these systems work — not a diagnosis of your property.

  1. US CPSC Food Waste Disposer Safety
  2. California CSLB C-36 Plumbing Standards