No power / dead unit troubleshooting
Garbage Disposal Won’t Turn On (No Power Fix Guide)
If your garbage disposal wont turn on — no humming, no grind, nothing — the cause is usually a tripped reset button, a power line issue, or an internal fuse. This guide walks you through safe checks and fixes so you can get your kitchen working again fast.
This guide explains what to do when a garbage disposal won’t turn on and how to restore power safely.
Always turn off the breaker before inspecting electrical parts. If you’re not comfortable with wiring, call a licensed electrician.
Why Your Garbage Disposal Wont Turn On
- Tripped reset button: Overload protection kicked in and cut power.
- No power supply: Wall switch, plug, or breaker may be off or faulty.
- Bad power cord or wiring: Cord may be damaged, or wiring loose — common in old installs.
- Internal motor/fuse failure: The disposal’s motor or internal components may be burnt out or worn down.
How to Fix a Garbage Disposal That Won’t Turn On
1. Check the Reset Button
- Go under the sink, locate the small red reset button on the bottom or side of the disposal.
- If it’s popped out, press it firmly until it clicks. This often restores power immediately.
- Restore power and test the switch carefully (with water running through the disposal).
2. Check the Power Supply
- Ensure the disposal is plugged in (if it uses a cord) or hard-wired correctly.
- Check the wall switch; sometimes a switch gets flipped off accidentally.
- Check the breaker panel and make sure the disposal circuit isn’t tripped.
3. Inspect Power Cord and Wiring
- With power off at the breaker, inspect the disposal’s cord for cuts, frays, or melted areas.
- If hard-wired, check that all connections are tight and there’s no visible damage.
- If wiring looks damaged or old, consider replacing the cord or hiring an electrician.
4. Consider Internal Motor or Fuse Failure
If resetting, power and wiring checks don’t fix it — the disposal may have internal damage. At that point, replacement is often simpler and safer than continued repair attempts.
When to Replace the Garbage Disposal
If your disposal won’t power up after all checks — reset button, wiring, breaker, and cord are fine — and it’s older than 8–10 years, internal motor failure is likely. In that case, replacement is more reliable and often more cost-effective than repair.