Help! My Garbage Disposal Is Not Working After A Power Outage

If after a power outage, your garbage disposal will not turn on or make a humming sound when you flip the switch, it indicates that there is some electrical problem that is not allowing current to reach the garbage disposal.

There are a few which you can try on your own to troubleshoot your garbage disposal.

Video Of How To Troubleshoot Your Garbage Disposal After A Power Outage

This video will guide you on how to troubleshoot your garbage disposal when it is not turning and there is no power.

Steps To Troubleshoot Your Garbage Disposal After A Power Outage

Step 1 – In the event when your garbage disposal is not making any sound and there is completely zero activity in your garbage disposal, then the first thing you need to do is check whether any of your circuit breakers have tripped and whether there is power in other switches and electrical box.

Step 2 – Check the main circuit panel to see if the garbage disposal circuit breaker has tripped. If it is tripped, then reset the breaker and run the garbage disposal again. If it does not work, then we will try pushing the reset button on the garbage disposal.

Step 3 – In case of a power outage, the reset button of garbage disposal gets triggered and pops out. You can find the reset button underneath the garbage disposal. So, check whether the reset button has popped out or not. If the reset button is popped out, then most probably that will be the main reason why your garbage disposal is not working.

Step 4 – Make sure that your garbage disposal is unplugged and push the reset button. The red reset button is spring-loaded and will make a clicking noise once pushed inside and secures itself in the bottom portion of the garbage disposal. Now, plug the garbage disposal back in and turn the switch on. Turn on the water and the garbage disposal.

Hopefully, your garbage disposal will start working after following all the steps. In case it does not, there are several other ways to troubleshoot your garbage disposal which are discussed below.

Additional Steps To Troubleshoot Your Garbage Disposal After A Power Outage

If neither the circuit breaker nor the reset button is the reason behind your garbage disposal not working, then there may be a problem with the wiring of the switch controlling the switch or your garbage disposal is faulty.

Step 5 – Try plugging the garbage disposal in any other outlet with the help of an extension cord. If the garbage disposal still does not work, then verify the outlet by plugging in some other appliance. If other outlets do not work either, then there might be a problem with the electrical wiring of the switch.

Step 6 – Turn off the garbage disposal breaker from the circuit panel. Now, disassemble the switch with the help of a screwdriver and inspect the wire connections. Sometimes, there is a simple connection that might be a bit lose which can be easily fixed by tightening these connections.

Step 7 – If the connections are perfectly in their place, then you may need to replace the switch itself. But, If there is power in other outlets, and other appliances work fine in that outlet, then we can be sure that the problem is in the garbage disposal and there is no electrical issue.

After trying everything, if your garbage disposal still does not work, it’s likely just broken. It is best to call an electrician to get it fixed or remove and replace the garbage disposal.

There are good chances that the motor of the garbage disposal is burned out or there might be some other electrical issue which is beyond repair. If that is the case, then your garbage disposal needs to be replaced.