Garbage disposal emits a high-pitched whine but does not grind effectively; food remains largely intact, internal LED flashes eighteen times.

Safety first: Turn off power at the breaker before inspecting the chamber.

• Inspect grinding surfaces: Shine a light into the chamber and look at the shredder ring teeth. If they appear smooth, rounded, or heavily corroded, grinding efficiency will be poor.
• Check impeller lugs: Verify that the impeller lugs are present and have defined edges. Rounded lugs reduce the ability to push waste against the ring.
• Test with light load: Restore power, run cold water, and test with a small amount of soft food. If the motor whines but stalls easily, torque is reduced.
• Plan for replacement: Grinding components inside most Reginox disposals are not user-replaceable. Replace the entire unit to restore performance.