Garbage disposal hums loudly when switched on but the grinding plate does not spin.

Safety First: Turn OFF the wall switch and unplug the disposal or shut off the breaker. Never put your hand into the disposal.

Step-by-step:

• 1. Inspect the grind chamber: Use a flashlight to look inside the KitchenAid disposal. Use pliers or tongs to remove any visible foreign objects (bones, utensils, glass, stones).
• 2. Manually free the jam: Insert the supplied KitchenAid jam-buster wrench or a 1/4" Allen key into the hex socket on the bottom of the unit. Rotate the shaft back and forth until it moves freely through a full revolution.
• 3. Check for free movement from above: With power still OFF, use a wooden dowel to gently push the impeller plate and verify it spins freely.
• 4. Reset the unit: Press the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal housing.
• 5. Test: Restore power, run cold water, and briefly turn on the switch. If humming persists and the plate does not move, the motor may be locked or failed.

When to call a technician: If the shaft cannot be turned manually or the unit hums and trips the reset repeatedly, the motor or bearings are likely damaged and the disposal should be replaced.