Question about garbage disposal?

It's possible that the motor capacitor is out. That is what makes the motor and only start in one direction.

Sometimes they get a build up of rust. And the shaft freezes in place. Time for a new one unless you know how to take it apart and use some wd40 on the shaft. But it may still be a problem regardless. They are 100 bucks at Home depot for a 1/2hp

the motor is stuffed so you need a new one . I am a plumber so I know .

If the disposal is not jammed and turns freely in both directions with the wrench, and now when you give it a shot of electricity and the motor hums but does not turn, the motor is burned out. The easiest thing to do is buy a new disposal of the same size so that it will match up to your plumbing and put it in. You would have to take the old disposal out anyway if you decided to work on it.

the 'other' method to unstick the inner rotating chamber is, with it turned OFF, to insert the wooden handle of something into the disposal, fish about to find the raised mechanism on the bottom, and then use the tool to turn the inner chamber. Toilet plunger is about the right size, broom if you have clearance.

hummmm means there is power at the disposer. Not turning means it either is jammed or the motor has died.

Replacement is a DIY for anyone who is reasonably handy. I don't take the old sink flange off but simply reuse it where it is -- they're all the same size anyway and not removing it saves time and effort.

Sounds like the motor is trying to turn but can't. Whether it's still jammed or the motor has burned out we can't tell from here. By the way, if a motor hums when switched on but can't turn, switch it off or it probably will burn out.

If you hear it humming then there is no need to press the button on the bottom - it's already on. Either the motor is bad or else there is something stuck that's jamming it. It most likely is something still jamming the disposer. It could be a tiny object like a small screw that is lodged between the outer edge of the deck and the wall of the chamber.

When the motor is humming, try using your tool to turn the deck. If the deck turns freely all the way around when it's humming then the motor is shot. If it doesn't turn then there is something stuck between the edge of the deck and the wall of the chamber. Use a flashlight to try and see it.

If you do try to turn the disposer with that tool be careful the tool doesn't go flying if the motor takes off spinning.

Make sure you push that button hard. Remember to be off when you do. If it’s no longer stuck as you say, buy a quality replacement, yours is toast.

It has likely quit. Time to call a plumber.

Mine hums with nothing wrong.