Garbage disposal making humming noise? It’s not so strange – these appliances can encounter problems over time. 

A low hum or buzz when you turn on your disposal usually means the motor is receiving power but the grinding mechanism is not turning properly. 

Read on for the causes, how to fix, and how to prevent.

Skip to:

• Why is my garbage disposal humming?
• Garbage disposal making humming noise: How to fix
• Prevent humming garbage disposal 
• Quietest garbage disposal (3 best options)

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Why is my garbage disposal humming?

It’s essentially the sound of the disposal’s motor trying to run. Since the motor is getting electricity, you know that the power supply is not the issue. 

Instead, the problem lies in the grinding chamber, flywheel, or internal components that aren’t moving as they should.

Here are the most common causes:

🔊 Jammed flywheel

Inside every garbage disposal is a flywheel with impellers (or “lugs”) that spin to grind food waste. If something hard, such as a bone, fruit pit, or utensil, gets stuck between the impellers and the wall of the chamber, the flywheel cannot rotate. The motor tries to run but stalls, producing only a humming sound.

🔊 Foreign objects

Sometimes, non-food items like silverware, bottle caps, or plastic pieces accidentally fall into the disposal. These foreign objects can block movement, jam the blades, or wedge tightly, stopping rotation.

🔊 Overheating or tripped reset button

When a motor is jammed but continues to receive power, it can overheat. Most disposals come with a reset button at the bottom of the unit that pops out when overheating occurs. A tripped reset button may cause the disposal to hum or fail to start altogether.

🔊 Worn-out motor

If your garbage disposal is older (typically 8–15 years), the motor itself may be failing. A dying motor may hum because it’s struggling to turn the flywheel but lacks the strength to rotate it fully.

🔊 Electrical issues

Loose wiring or a failing switch can cause the motor to hum without proper operation. However, since the hum means power is reaching the motor, electrical faults are less common.

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Garbage disposal making humming noise: How to fix

Before you attempt any fixes, safety is critical. A garbage disposal is a powerful machine with sharp internal components. 

Always turn off the power at the circuit breaker before working on the unit. Never put your hands directly inside the disposal chamber.

Here’s how to safely troubleshoot and repair a humming garbage disposal:

Step 1: Reset the disposal

👉Locate the red reset button on the bottom of the unit.

👉 Press it firmly. If it clicks, the disposal had tripped due to overheating.

👉 Restore power and test the disposal.

👉 If it still hums, move to the next steps.

Step 2: Check for obstructions

👉 Shine a flashlight into the disposal chamber.

👉 Look for visible objects such as utensils, bones, or hard food scraps.

👉 Use pliers or tongs to remove any debris. Never use your hands.

Step 3: Manually rotate the flywheel

👉 Most disposals have a small hex-shaped hole on the underside of the unit.

👉 Insert an Allen wrench (usually 1/4 inch) into the hole.

👉 Turn it back and forth to manually free the flywheel.

👉 This can dislodge whatever is jamming the grinding mechanism.

👉 If your unit doesn’t have a hex hole, use a wooden broom handle through the top opening to gently move the blades.

Step 4: Restore power and test

👉 After clearing obstructions and manually turning the flywheel, restore power at the breaker.

👉 Run cold water into the sink and turn on the disposal.

👉 If it operates normally, you’ve solved the problem.

👉 If it still hums, continue diagnosing.

Step 5: Inspect for motor failure

👉 If the disposal is free of obstructions but still hums without grinding, the motor may be burned out.

👉 A failing motor often has a distinct burning smell.

👉 In this case, replacement of the disposal is usually more cost-effective than repair.

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Prevent humming garbage disposal

Not every humming disposal can be saved. Here are signs that replacement is the better option:

⚠️ The disposal is more than 10 years old.

⚠️ The motor hums even after resetting and clearing jams.

⚠️ There is visible damage to the grinding chamber or impellers.

⚠️ The unit frequently jams or trips the reset button.

⚠️ Repair costs approach or exceed the price of a new unit.

A standard garbage disposal replacement typically costs between $150 and $400, depending on whether you install it yourself or hire a plumber.

The best way to avoid a humming disposal is through proper use and maintenance. Many problems stem from misuse – putting the wrong items into the disposal or neglecting cleaning. Follow these best practices:

What to avoid putting in a garbage disposal

🚫 Hard items: bones, fruit pits, popcorn kernels

🚫 Fibrous foods: celery, corn husks, asparagus

🚫 Grease and fat: these solidify and clog the system

🚫 Starchy foods: pasta, rice, potato peels (they expand and create paste)

🚫 Non-food objects: utensils, plastic, glass, or paper

Best practices for use

☑️ Run cold water whenever operating the disposal. Cold water keeps grease solid so it can be chopped and flushed away.

☑️ Cut large scraps into smaller pieces before placing them in the disposal.

☑️ Feed food gradually instead of all at once.

Cleaning and maintenance

✅ Grind citrus peels (lemon, lime, orange) occasionally to freshen odors.

✅ Use ice cubes and a small amount of rock salt to clean the grinding chamber.

✅ Flush the disposal with baking soda and vinegar monthly to prevent buildup.

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Quietest garbage disposal (3 best options)

If your garbage disposal is just plain loud and you want a quiet option, look no further.

Below, we have lined up 3 of the best quiet garbage disposals on the market, and even better, they are all available to buy now on Amazon:

#1 – InSinkErator PRO750

Quiet SoundSeal Technology makes the InSinkErator PRO750 worth a look, but that’s not the only noise reduction feature you will get.

There is an Anti-Vibration Mount and Quiet Collar Sink Baffle, which both contribute to bringing down the sound. A Sound Jacket that muffles and traps sound also helps.

Other than the inoffensive volume, you can be assured of enough power thanks to a Dura-Drive, ¾ HP induction motor, while a 3-stage MultiGrind feature can help you to avoid clogs by grinding finer. Also before we forget… there is a 10-year warranty.

Best for: Quiet, polished performance

#2 – Max Disposer

The Max Disposer is ultra-quiet, featuring what the manufacturer describes as “aviation-grade sound mute”.

What you get with this 1HP garbage disposal is a fully-enclosed design that does the trick when it comes to bringing the volume down. It’s a ‘shield’ effect which we have also be effective in making the quietest smoothie makers and blenders. Not only does it cut down on noise transmission and stop sound from exiting the enclosure, but it also cuts out big vibrations and loud rattles.

The pre-installed power cord means easy setup, and it is also rustproof with a stainless steel interior.

Lastly, Smart Auto-Reverse Tech is worth talking about. It’s a clever computer chip that detects jams and slips the garbage disposal into reverse to prevent clogs. 

Best for: Quiet, powerful, intelligent grinding

#3 – InSinkErator EVOLUTION

Here is another quiet option from InSinkErator that features their patented SoundSeal technology, as part of the Quiet Series. 

The InSinkErator Evolution gives you ample 1HP power without the racket. It also has a space-saving design which means it won’t occupy all the space under your sink – this saves space for other appliances and all that cleaning stuff.

Other neat features include an EZ Connect Hardwire Adapter, 4-stage MultiGrind technology that will get rid of even the toughest food scraps, and a removable Quiet Collar sink baffle. There is also the beloved InSinkErator 10-year warranty for peace of mind.

Best for: Ideal combination of power and quietness