Garbage disposal motor runs but will not turn

  6 answers
  • Sandra Allen Sandra Allen on Nov 23, 2017

    If you rent, do not attempt to fix. You could do more damage. If you own, this site will help.


    https://www.hometips.com/repair-fix/garbage-disposal-problems.html

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Nov 23, 2017

    Make sure it is turned off, unplugged even, if you can fit your hand in there, carefully feel to see if something is stuck and if the parts move when you try to move them. If they don't move, perhaps the motor is worn out and doesn't put out enough to move the mechanism anymore. In that case you can replace it. The info for the size should be on the outside case somewhere for the replacement. It is possible that there is just something in there jamming it.

  • Danielle Whatsittoyou Danielle Whatsittoyou on Nov 23, 2017

    Mine does this every once in awhile and my son figured out that if we unplug it for about 5 minutes and then plug it back in, it resets something and it works well again. 🤞🏻 I hope this fixes yours for you too! Good luck!

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Nov 23, 2017

    It sounds like there is something stuck in the blades. MAKE SURE IT IS TURNED OFF then loosen the blades.

  • Kim Kim on Nov 23, 2017

    My maintenance person used a broom handle as a lever to force the blades to move. It was my fault, I had never had a garbage disposal before, and so I did not run it, I was using the strainer and thought I kept most of the stuff out of the pipe. I was wrong. The broom handle worked well as a lever to free the blades, it took all of three minutes or less.

  • Sharon Sharon on Nov 23, 2017

    They come with a little angle iron tool, sometimes under the sink on side in a plastic sleeve. or sometimes they are in a drawer. Turn off, and fit the end of the tool underneath there is a hole to fit into, then rotate it 360 until you feel it give, Turn on water and switch on. If not going, turn off and repeat this time going in other direction.

    If that doesn't work, call management. As former apartment manager, I can tell you Thanksgiving and Christmas are prime clog days..... no potato peels in the garbage disposal!