Garbage disposal makes a clicking sound but does not start; sometimes starts after multiple tries.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety First: Turn OFF power before inspection. Do not repeatedly cycle the switch if the motor is not starting.
Step-by-step:
- 1. Verify voltage: Use a multimeter at the outlet or junction box to confirm 120V supply when the switch is ON.
- 2. Clear chamber: Ensure the KitchenAid disposal is not partially jammed by manually rotating the shaft from below.
- 3. Check wiring connections: Tighten all wire nuts and terminal screws in the disposal's electrical compartment.
- 4. Short test: Restore power and test. If the unit clicks but does not spin, and then suddenly starts, the internal start mechanism may be failing.
- 5. Avoid heavy loads: Use the disposal lightly until it can be replaced to avoid complete failure during use.
When to call a technician: Internal start switches are not serviceable; replacement of the disposal is the long-term fix.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
We may earn a commission from links on this page.