Garbage disposal making noise: what the sound is telling you

A new noise is usually the first sign you need garbage disposal repair. Most of the time it is something hard in the chamber or a loose mount, and both are fixable at the sink. A few sounds mean the motor is wearing out. Match the sound, then follow the step.

Match the sound

• Metal rattle or clank: something hard is loose in the chamber. Think spoon, bottle cap, fruit pit, or a small bone. Stop and fish it out (steps below).
• Hum, no spin: power is reaching a motor that cannot turn. That is a jam, not a noise problem. Go to humming and then jammed.
• Whole sink shakes or buzzes: the mounting ring under the sink may have worked loose, so the unit vibrates against the sink. Snug the mount (steps below).
• Grinding with nothing in it: if the chamber is empty and it still grinds or scrapes, a part inside is rubbing. Look for a stuck object first. If none, treat it as repair vs replace.
• High squeal or screech: often worn motor bearings. That is not a cheap fix on a home unit. Plan on a new disposal.
• Click, then silence: the overload tripped. Press the red reset button on the bottom, then check for a jam.

Get a rattling object out (power off)

1. Kill the wall switch and the breaker. You are reaching toward the chamber. Never put your hand in the chamber, even with the power off.
2. Shine a flashlight down the drain. Find the object before you go after it.
3. Lift it out with long tongs or pliers. Pull the splash guard back if you need room.
4. If it is wedged, put a 1/4″ hex key in the socket on the bottom of the unit and work it back and forth to free the plate, then lift the object out. See jammed garbage disposal.
5. Restore power, run cold water, test briefly. If the rattle is gone, you are done.

Stop the vibration (power off)

1. Kill the breaker. Clear the cabinet and put a towel down.
2. Find the mounting ring where the disposal meets the sink flange. Grip the unit and try to wiggle it. If it moves, the mount is loose.
3. Turn the lower ring until it locks. On most units you turn it toward the locking tabs by hand or with the hex key in a mounting lug.
4. Check the drain elbow while you are there. A loose drain connection can rattle and later leak.
5. Restore power and test with cold water. A snug mount should cut the buzz in the sink.

When noise means replace

• Squealing or grinding from the motor with an empty chamber
• Noise that comes back after you cleared the chamber and snugged the mount
• Loud running plus water dripping from the body of the unit
• An old unit that is getting louder and weaker at the same time

If two of those are true, skip more garbage disposal repair and look at replacement options. Insulated models are quieter if noise is what you care about. Then decide DIY vs hire for install.

Tools that actually help

• 1/4″ hex key (Amazon search)

  Amazon Associates link. We earn from qualifying purchases. Frees a wedged plate and helps lock a loose mount.

• Long kitchen tongs (Amazon search)

  Amazon Associates link. We earn from qualifying purchases. For pulling objects out of the chamber without your hand.