A humming disposal is jammed, not dead. Power off, wrench, reset.
Humming means the motor has power but cannot turn. Left running it overheats and trips its own protector. Nothing floods.
What is probably happening
- Something is wedged between the impeller plate and the grind ring: a bone, a pit, a bottle cap, a spoon.
- The overload protector has tripped. That is the red button on the bottom.
- If it is silent rather than humming, the protector tripped or the motor is dead.
Do this in the next five minutes
- Switch it off and unplug it under the sink.
- Find the hex wrench that came with it (or a quarter inch Allen key). Insert it in the hole in the center of the bottom of the unit. InSinkErator: work it back and forth until it turns freely in full circles both ways.
- Use tongs or pliers, not fingers, to lift out whatever was jamming it.
- Press the red reset button on the bottom. InSinkErator: if it does not stay in, wait ten minutes and try again.
- Plug in, run cold water, switch on.
Do not
- Do not put your hand in the disposal. InSinkErator says it plainly, at any time.
- Do not run it dry or without cold water.
- Do not keep holding the switch on while it hums. It cooks the motor.
Who to call
A licensed plumber, if the wrench and reset do not work
Honest answer: the wrench and reset fix most jams for free. A plumber is for a seized motor, a leaking unit or a replacement.
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What it should cost
$80 to $310, averaging $230
Garbage disposal repair, national range. Labor $50 to $120 an hour plus a service fee around $50
Source: Angi, garbage disposal repair cost, updated July 2026. View source
National published range, not a quote for your job. The full cost table for this trade is on the plumbing page.
Ask this contractor, on the phone, before anyone comes out
Tap each one as you ask it.
- Is it worth repairing at this age, or is a new unit close to the same price installed?
- If replacing, what horsepower and what is the warranty?
- Is the trip fee applied to the job?
End the call if
- A new unit sold without anyone trying the wrench and reset.
- An emergency premium for a disposal.
- A plumber who reaches in with fingers.