That grinding sound under your kitchen sink has gone silent. Your Insinkerator garbage disposal sits there lifeless, refusing to do its job. Now you’re stuck with a sink full of food scraps and water that won’t drain. Dead garbage disposals can make meal prep and cleanup difficult.
Here’s good news: most Insinkerator problems have simple solutions you can handle yourself. This guide shows you the common causes and proven fixes that will get your disposal spinning again.
Kitchen Sink Insinkerator Not Working: Common Causes
These reliable kitchen appliances stop running for several reasons. Knowing why your disposal died makes fixing it much easier.
1. Tripped Reset Button
Your disposal’s overload protector sometimes trips to prevent motor damage. This safety feature activates if the unit overheats or gets jammed. Many homeowners don’t know about this button and think their disposal has completely failed.
2. No Power Supply
Electrical issues rank high on the list of reasons for dead disposals. The unit might have come unplugged, or a circuit breaker could have tripped. Sometimes the outlet itself fails, cutting power to your disposal.
3. Jammed Grinding Chamber
Food debris, bones, or foreign objects can lock up the grinding plate. The motor might hum but won’t spin, or it stays completely silent. The jam blocks the disposal from working until you clear it.
4. Worn Out Motor
Any appliance with moving parts eventually wears out. Regular use affects the bearings and electrical components. A burned-out motor means the disposal won’t turn on at all.
5. Damaged Flywheel
The flywheel connects the motor to the grinding plate. A cracked or broken flywheel stops your disposal from spinning properly. This often happens if metal utensils fall into the unit.
Kitchen Sink Insinkerator Not Working: Step-by-Step Solutions
These solutions start with the simplest fixes. Try each one until your disposal works again.
1. Press the Reset Button
Look under the disposal for a red or black button. Press it firmly until it clicks. Wait 3-5 minutes for the unit to cool down completely. Turn on cold water and try running the disposal again. This quick fix often solves the problem.
2. Check the Power Connection
Make sure the disposal connects properly to power. Check your circuit breaker panel and reset any tripped switches. Test the outlet by plugging in another appliance. A dead outlet might need its GFCI button reset or replacement.
3. Clear the Jam
Turn off power to the disposal at the breaker box. Use a flashlight to look into the drain for obvious blockages. Use pliers to carefully remove any visible objects. Put the self-service wrench (included with your disposal) into the hole on the bottom of the unit. Move it back and forth until the grinding plate turns freely.
4. Clean the Grinding Chamber
Unplug the unit and pour in a cup of ice cubes and a half cup of rock salt. Restore power, run cold water, and turn on the disposal. This mix helps remove built-up debris from the grinding components. Run it for about a minute.
5. Check for Leaks
Water damage can cause electrical shorts. Look under your sink for any drips or moisture around the disposal. Tighten any loose connections. Serious leaks might need new gaskets or seals.
These fixes should solve most disposal problems. But if they don’t work, call a licensed plumber. They have special tools and knowledge to fix harder issues. Some problems, like a burned-out motor, usually mean you need a new unit installed.
Wrapping Up
Your kitchen sink Insinkerator helps with daily meal cleanup. Most disposal problems come from basic issues you can fix using simple tools and these steps. Good maintenance and proper use stop many common problems.
Try the basic solutions first – checking power and hitting the reset button. A professional can tell whether repair or replacement works better for your situation if these steps don’t help.
FAQ
How long should a garbage disposal last?
Quality disposals like Insinkerator models typically work well for 8-15 years with proper care. How you use the unit affects how long it lasts.
Why does my disposal smell bad even after running it?
Food particles stuck under the rubber flaps or in the grinding chamber create most disposal odors. Clean regularly with ice and salt, or use enzymatic cleaners made for disposals.
Can you put coffee grounds in an Insinkerator?
Coffee grounds might clog your pipes over time. Put them in compost or trash instead.
What items should never go into a garbage disposal?
Keep fibrous foods (celery strings, corn husks), grease, bones, fruit pits, egg shells, and non-food items out of your disposal. These can damage the unit or clog pipes.
Should water run while using the disposal?
Run cold water before, during, and for 15-30 seconds after using your disposal. This stops jams and pushes waste through pipes properly.