Moen
Impeller/Jam Plate Seized (Rotor Locked)
Moen garbage disposal hums but does not spin when switched on
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Possible Causes
Foreign object jammed between impellers and grind ring, Jam plate seized on motor shaft, Swollen food waste wedged in grind chamber, Motor start winding overloaded from repeated attempts
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Turn the wall switch OFF, unplug the Moen disposal from the outlet under the sink, or switch off the dedicated circuit breaker. Never put your hand into the disposal while it is powered.
- Check for reset: On most Moen disposals (e.g., GX, GXS, Host, Chef, Lite series), press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit. If it clicks, the overload was tripped.
- Manually free the jam:
- Insert a Moen-compatible jam-buster wrench or 1/4" Allen key into the hex socket on the bottom center of the motor (if equipped).
- Rotate the wrench back and forth firmly until it moves freely. This turns the jam plate and impellers to clear obstructions.
- Clear the grind chamber:
- From the sink opening, use tongs or pliers to remove any foreign objects (bones, utensils, fruit pits) around the impellers and grind ring.
- Do not use your bare hands.
- Test operation:
- Restore power (plug in or turn breaker on).
- Run cold water, then flip the wall switch. If the unit now spins and grinds normally, the jam is cleared.
- If humming persists: The motor may be heat-damaged. Stop using the unit to avoid tripping the breaker and consider replacing the disposal motor assembly or the entire unit.
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Repair Difficulty
Easy
2/5
Required Part
Jam Plate / Impeller Assembly
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