McAlpine Garbage Disposals Error Codes

E01

Garbage disposal will not power on at all, no humming, no sound, internal status LED (if fitted) flashes once repeatedly.

Line Power or Thermal Overload Trip

E02

Garbage disposal hums when switched on but the grinding plate does not turn; internal LED flashes twice repeatedly.

Impeller Plate Jam / Rotor Locked

E03

Disposal runs for a few seconds then stops, reset button pops out, LED flashes three times (if fitted).

Overcurrent / Overload Protection Trip

E04

Disposal powers on but immediately trips the RCD/GFCI or main breaker; LED flashes four times (if present).

Earth Leakage / Ground Fault

E05

Disposal runs but water drains very slowly from the sink; internal LED flashes five times.

Outlet or Trap Obstruction

E06

Disposal runs but there is a persistent leak from the side discharge connection; LED flashes six times.

Discharge Elbow Seal Failure

E07

Water leaks from around the sink flange where the disposal mounts; LED flashes seven times.

Sink Flange / Mounting Gasket Failure

E08

Disposal runs but makes a loud metallic grinding or rattling noise; LED flashes eight times.

Foreign Object in Grinding Chamber

E09

Disposal emits a strong burning smell and may stop after a short run; LED flashes nine times.

Motor Overheating / Insulation Breakdown

E10

Disposal runs but makes a loud, low-frequency vibration that shakes the sink; LED flashes ten times.

Imbalance / Mounting Misalignment

E11

Disposal will not start from the wall switch, but starts if the built-in air switch (if fitted) is used; LED flashes once-long, once-short.

Wall Switch / Control Circuit Fault

E12

Disposal with pneumatic air switch does not respond when the air button is pressed; LED flashes once-long, twice-short.

Air Switch / Pneumatic Control Failure

E13

Disposal runs but water backs up into the dishwasher or leaks from the dishwasher hose connection; LED flashes once-long, three-short.

Dishwasher Inlet / Knockout or Hose Fault

E14

Disposal starts normally but stops intermittently during operation without tripping breaker; LED flashes once-long, four-short.

Intermittent Power / Internal Switch Fault

E15

Disposal runs but water and waste are forced up into the second sink bowl connected via a McAlpine double bowl kit; LED flashes once-long, five-short.

Cross-Flow / Incorrect Waste Kit Configuration

E16

Disposal makes a high-pitched squealing or screeching noise during operation; LED flashes once-long, six-short.

Dry or Failing Motor Bearings

E17

Disposal runs but there is a constant drip from the very bottom of the motor housing; LED flashes once-long, seven-short.

Internal Seal / Shaft Seal Failure

E18

Disposal runs but food is not being ground finely; large chunks remain and pass into the trap; LED flashes once-long, eight-short.

Worn Grinding Components

E19

Disposal will not run unless the reset button is held in or the housing is tapped; LED flashes once-long, nine-short.

Sticking Overload / Faulty Reset Mechanism

E20

Disposal runs but there is a noticeable electrical buzzing or arcing sound from the base; LED flashes twice-long.

Electrical Arcing / Loose Connection

Symptom

Disposal causes lights to dim or flicker noticeably when starting.

High Inrush Current / Shared Circuit Issue

Symptom

Disposal causes the entire sink and worktop to vibrate excessively, even with no load.

Imbalanced Rotor or Poor Mounting

Symptom

Disposal emits a persistent bad odour even after running with water.

Organic Buildup in Grinding Chamber and Waste Pipes

Symptom

Disposal is unusually loud compared to when it was new, even with similar loads.

General Wear and Acoustic Damping Loss

Symptom

Disposal makes a humming noise but does not grind, and the sink begins to fill with water.

Jammed Rotor / Impeller

Symptom

Disposal produces a loud banging or knocking noise during operation, causing the sink to shake.

Loose or Damaged Impeller Assembly

Symptom

Disposal runs but makes a low grinding noise even when empty, as if metal is rubbing inside.

Internal Rubbing / Misaligned Rotor

Symptom

Disposal runs but the dishwasher does not drain properly when connected through the disposal.

Blocked Dishwasher Inlet or Hose

Symptom

Disposal runs but there is a noticeable delay of several seconds between switching on and the motor starting.

Sticking Start Mechanism / Capacitor Issue

Symptom

Disposal runs but water backs up into the sink during operation and drains away only slowly afterwards.

Partial Blockage in Trap or Waste Pipe

Symptom

Disposal splashes water and food particles back up into the sink during use.

Missing or Damaged Splash Guard / Baffle

Symptom

Disposal starts but immediately stops when you release the wall switch (no continuous run).

Incorrect Switch Type or Wiring

Symptom

Disposal trips the RCD/GFCI as soon as it is switched on, but there are no visible leaks.

Electrical Insulation Fault

Symptom

Disposal will not start after a power cut or surge, although it worked previously.

Post-Surge Electrical Damage

Symptom

Disposal will not turn on, no sound, but the wall outlet has power and the breaker is not tripped.

Tripped Reset or Open Thermal Protector

Symptom

Water drips from the very bottom of the disposal housing even when the unit is off, especially when the sink is full.

Internal Chamber or Shaft Seal Leak

Symptom

Water leaks from the side of the disposal where the discharge pipe connects, especially when the sink is full.

Loose or Damaged Outlet Connection

Symptom

Water leaks from the top of the disposal where it meets the sink, often visible around the mounting ring.

Failed Sink Flange Seal