A chirping or humming sound doesn’t necessarily mean you need to get a new garbage disposal. But if you notice this sound and hear it more often, there is a good chance your garbage disposal requires repair.
The purpose of Garbage disposal is to break down food waste so that you can dispose of it. Most consumer brands include a three-year limited parts warranty on garbage disposals that cover average wear and tear.
This “Garbage Disposal Humming But Flywheel Not Stuck ” issue might not be as drastic as you think. In some cases, it might not even be an issue at all. Don’t let your issues with your garbage disposal get out of control. Many of these problems can reveal a simple answer, like cleaning the disposal unit or simply switching on and off the unit.
Ways to Fix Garbage Disposal Humming But Flywheel Not Stuck Problem
If you’re noticing any of the following issues, it’s not too late to fix the humming problem and make things right. Since your garbage disposal may be humming or making a buzzing noise, you should troubleshoot and figure out the problem as soon as possible. Silent garbage disposal is likely still running, which can lead to a backflow hazard for homeowners.
In many cases, a disposal motor is burning due to overheating. If not taken care of, it can result in failure of capacitor and motor. If there are waste products inside the disposal, this will cause it to overheat quicker. If something is jammed in the grinding chamber, this will also cause a build-up of waste products and cause an increase in rpm. These components will cause a motor to work harder than it’s supposed to, causing the humming you hear and causing wasted energy and increased costs.
In order to fix this, here are a few simple steps you should take. Also, make sure the garbage disposal is switched off.
- If you experience a humming or buzzing sound coming from your faucet, check the Sink first. The humming or buzzing usually indicates that something is clogging it up and causing all the noise.
- If there’s a large build-up of sediment around your Sink, remove junk mail from the Sink and check the running water to determine if you have a clog or other drainage problem. Don’t be alarmed if sudden changes in sound or appearance occur; some clogs are very easy to remove, while others may require professional help. Always use the right tool for the job.
- Use a long stick or broom handle to rotate the grinding plates in your disposal. This will prevent jamming while also giving you a better seal and resulting in less disposal noise.
- Once the system is clear of debris, you can start the machine again.
- To be sure, run water down the sink for a few minutes — this will not only cool the motor but also help rinse away harmful residue in your garbage disposal.
If that doesn’t work, it’s most likely the capacitor in your garbage disposal circuit board is not working. In cases like this, you may need to replace the garbage disposal.
Garbage Disposal Humming And Sink Clogging
Clogs aren’t always a sign of a problem in the garbage disposal; however, if your kitchen sink is clogged, it could be a sign that there is a problem with your garbage disposal.
Sometimes, a blocked sink is just that: a blockage. Your garbage disposal won’t work unless it’s the source of the problem. Instead of stopping your garbage disposal immediately when it stops working, focus on unblocking whatever is causing your drainage system to fail. This could be hair, leftover food scraps, or even grease residue. You should clear the clogging or try diverting water around the blockage through another pipe or another connection nearby to fix the issue.
To clear the clogging in the sink, first, switch off the machine and follow the below steps:
- You’ll fill your sink with warm and soapy water. The amount doesn’t matter, but half of the sink is recommended.
- Determine what the clog is, and then remove it with a cup plunger. If the clog is paper or hair, use the large end of the plunger; if it’s an object the size of a pencil, use the small end. Plunge for one to two minutes, depending on how bad the clog is.
- After clearing the clog, you will notice that the water drains away quickly. If you can’t get the clog out with some water pressure, you might need a more powerful and expensive tool to do the trick
- You will use a sink snake, and thread it through the sink until you feel the clog, and then continue pushing the snake until the clog is pushed out of the drain.
- Rotate the snake against the blockage to dislodge it. When you feel a loosening of pressure, the snake has worked its magic.
While waiting for the clog to clear, check whether or not a particularly large or greasy item causes it in your sink. The added weight and size might be contributing to the blockage. Once the water has begun to drain, check if it’s being obstructed by a heavier or greasier item that might have been placed inside.
If the clog persists, you should contact a repair technician. Most clogs are the result of plumbing issues. If you’ve ruled out plumbing problems, a professional can resolve the issue with the motor or blades.
If neither of these resolves the issue, you might choose to contact a repair technician to see the underlying reason for the clogging and humming.
How to Troubleshoot Garbage Disposal Hums But It’s Spinning Normally
How many times have you been in the middle of cooking or washing dishes when suddenly your garbage disposal begins to hum, but it’s spinning normally? The sound is usually a motor that has lost its bearings. This article will help troubleshoot Garbage Disposal Hums, But It’s Spinning Normally problems.
What’s causing the Garbage Disposal humming?
If it’s not food jamming the blades, it might be something else. If you share your home with small children, they might have accidentally thrown something down the garbage disposal they shouldn’t have. It’s also possible the disposal is just clogged with an object that can be removed and it will work normally.
Propeller is Jammed
If the propellers are spinning normally, use a power switch to cut off the power.
- Turn the power off to your garbage disposal at its circuit breaker or fuse box.
- Take the hex (Allen) wrench, and open the disposal from the base below the sink.
- Remove any large food items that may be wedged in, then restart it and see if the hums disappear.
- If you find small pieces of metal inside your blades, remove them with a magnet so as not to damage anything else.
If the humming stops, the problem is solved; if it persists, you know you have to take further action.
GFI Not Working properly
When the garbage disposal’s GFI trips, it fails to send enough power to your garbage disposal. This results in a lack of power to your garbage disposal or an insufficient amount of power.
Follow the below steps to solve this problem:
- Touch the GFI breaker, then unplug and plug back in
- If that doesn’t work, reset your circuit breaker to make sure it’s working properly.
If you hear no more humming from your Garbage Disposal, power is most likely the problem.
How To Reset Garbage Disposal Humming In Your Disposal
Every garbage disposal has a reset button that you can find at the base of the unit. To reset your garbage disposal, press the button and wait 15 seconds before flipping the circuit breaker.
To reset the garbage disposal, follow the below steps:
- flip circuit breaker
- press reset button at the base of the garbage disposal for 15 seconds
- after 15 seconds, release the reset button and turn on the power to your unit.
If nothing happens, try this: Unplug your appliance from the electrical outlet then wait 30 minutes before plugging it back in again. If still nothing works, you will need a plumber or electrician to come out and diagnose the problem with your equipment.
Sometimes, you need a professional plumber to step in and fix a plumbing problem in your house. Thank you for reading this article! I hope it helps you troubleshoot Garbage Disposal Hums But It’s Spinning Normally problems by yourself in the future.
Hi there! I’m Sam Hendricks, and I’m a repair technician and expert. I created this website to help people like you save money and time by fixing your own appliances.
Over the years, I’ve seen people spend a lot of money on unnecessary repairs or replacements. That’s why I decided to share my expertise and create easy-to-follow guides for fixing appliances on your own.