Garbage disposal will not power on at all, no humming, no sound, status LED on control module is off.
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 the circuit breaker feeding the disposal and verify power is off using a non-contact voltage tester at the sink switch and under-sink junction box.
- Check the reset/overload button: Locate the red or black reset button on the bottom of the Maxmatic disposal housing. Press it firmly until it clicks. Restore power and test the unit.
- Inspect the wall switch: With power off, remove the switch cover and check for loose wires on the switch terminals. Tighten any loose screws and ensure the switch is not burned or cracked. Replace the switch if suspect.
- Check the Maxmatic junction box: Under the sink, open the disposal’s junction box cover. Confirm wire nuts are tight on line (hot), neutral, and ground connections. Look for signs of heat damage or melted insulation.
- Control module fuse (if equipped): Some Maxmatic digital models have a small inline or board-mounted fuse on the electronic control module. With power off, visually inspect the fuse; if blown, replace with the same rating only. If it blows again, the motor or control may be shorted and a technician should inspect.
- Test power at the outlet: If the disposal is cord-and-plug connected, plug in a lamp or tester to confirm the outlet has power when the switch is on. If no power, the issue is upstream (breaker, GFCI, or wiring).
If the unit still remains completely dead after these checks, the internal control module or motor windings may be open and professional diagnosis is recommended.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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