Moen garbage disposal causes the kitchen circuit breaker or GFCI to trip when turned on

Safety first: Do not repeatedly reset a breaker or GFCI that trips immediately. Turn the breaker off and unplug the disposal.

• Check for leaks:
  • Inspect the disposal and under-sink area for water leaks that may contact wiring.
• Isolate the load:
  • Unplug the Moen disposal and reset the breaker/GFCI.
  • If it holds with the disposal unplugged, the disposal is likely the cause.
• Test another outlet (if safe):
  • Temporarily plug the disposal into a different properly grounded outlet on a dedicated circuit to confirm behavior (use caution and only if cord length and safety allow).
• Replace disposal if fault persists:
  • If the breaker or GFCI trips whenever the disposal is energized, the motor windings or internal wiring are compromised. Replace the unit.
• Check circuit loading:
  • Ensure the disposal is not sharing a circuit with other large loads (microwave, dishwasher) beyond the circuit rating.