It’s a sound every homeowner dreads. You flip the switch to grind up some lemon peels, but instead of the usual crunch, you hear an ominous, low-pitched HUMMMMMMM.

The blades aren’t spinning. The water isn’t draining. And you can smell the motor starting to overheat.

Don’t panic. Your garbage disposal isn’t necessarily broken. It is likely just jammed.

Before you go out and spend $200 on a new unit, try this “secret” plumber’s hack. It takes less than two minutes, and the tool you need probably came in the box with the disposal.

Why Is It Humming?

The humming noise means the motor is getting power (so it’s not an electrical issue), but the flywheel is stuck. A hard object—like a fruit pit, a bone fragment, or even a piece of silverware—has wedged itself between the impeller plate and the drain hole.

If you leave it humming for too long, you will burn out the motor. So, turn off the switch immediately and follow these steps.

Step 1: The Safety Check (Crucial!)

Never, ever put your hand down the drain while the power is on.

Turn off the disposal wall switch.
Unplug the unit from the outlet under the sink (if accessible).
If you can’t find the plug, flip the breaker in your electrical panel to “OFF.”

Step 2: The “Allen Wrench” Hack

This is the trick that saves homeowners hundreds of dollars in service calls.

Most garbage disposals (especially Badger and InSinkErator models) have a manual override hole located on the very bottom of the unit, directly in the center.

Grab a 1/4-inch hex key (also called an Allen wrench). If you don’t have the one that came with the disposal, check your toolbox—it’s a standard size.
Crawl under the sink and insert the wrench into the center hole on the bottom of the casing.
Crank it back and forth. It will be stiff at first. Push it clockwise, then counter-clockwise. You are manually forcing the flywheel to turn.
Keep wiggling it until it spins freely in both directions. You just dislodged the jam!

Step 3: The Red Reset Button

If the unit was humming for a while before you turned it off, the internal overload protector likely tripped to save the motor.

Look at the bottom of the disposal again (near the wrench hole).
Find the small red square button.
If it is popped out about a quarter-inch, push it back in. It should click and stay flush.

Step 4: Flush and Test

Run cold water into the sink.
Restore power (plug it in or flip the breaker).
Tap the wall switch on and off quickly.

It should spin to life immediately. If it does, let the water run for 30 seconds to flush debris down the line.

What If It Still Won’t Work?

If you used the wrench and the flywheel spins freely, but the motor still hums (or makes no sound at all) when you flip the switch, the motor itself may be dead.

Garbage disposals typically last 8-12 years. If yours is older than that, it might be time for a replacement. Sometimes, a jam is just a symptom of a failing unit or a deeper clog further down the pipes.

If the disposal is clear but the sink still won’t drain, the blockage might be past the disposal trap. In that case, you may need professional Drain Cleaning services to snake the line and clear the obstruction.

Need a Hand in Utah?

If you’ve tried the wrench trick and the red button, but the disposal is still silent (or leaking), don’t risk a flooded kitchen.

Let’s Fix Plumbing is here to help. We can repair your jam or install a powerful new disposal that can handle whatever your kitchen throws at it.

Find us on Google Maps: Let’s Fix Plumbing
Need a Pro? Contact Us Here to schedule a visit today.

How to Unjam a Garbage Disposal with a Wrench if it’s Humming But Not Spinning