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What should you do when your garbage disposal hums but will not spin?

Food in Sink

If your garbage disposal is humming but not spinning, the flywheel is likely jammed or the motor bearing has ceased[5]. First, turn off the unit and disconnect the power to prevent injury[4][5]. You can use the provided hex wrench in the hole at the bottom of the unit to manually rotate the blades back and forth until they move freely[2][4]. Never place your hands inside the disposal; instead, use tongs or pliers to remove any visible debris[2][5]. Finally, press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit before restoring power[2][4].

If the unit remains silent, unresponsive, or continues to jam, it is time to call a professional[4][5]. Attempting complex repairs like motor issues without proper tools can be dangerous and lead to further damage[5].