Trash Compactor Troubleshooting, Repair Tips and Parts
by 411 on Mar 29, 2017
What is wrong with my trash compactor?
The ram is stuck
The drawer is hard to open
Order replacement bags
Learn more about trash compactors
Order replacement parts
It doesn't work at all
If your trash compactor doesn't work at all, check these:
Wall socket
Trash compactors usually plug into a wall socket. Try plugging something else into the socket to be sure the socket is getting power. If it isn't, check the household fuses or circuit breakers.
Ground fault circuit-interrupter
If there's no power to the outlet but the fuse/circuit is okay, the compactor may be plugged into a circuit that's protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)--a special wall socket with a Test and a Reset button. If so, try pressing the Reset button
Switch
If there's power but your compactor still doesn't function, there may be a problem with the compactor's door switch, key switch, or the micro switches that sense when the ram is fully up. But also make sure that nothing is caught behind the drawer, keeping it from closing all the way.
The ram is stuck
If the ram won't go down--or if it has gone down but won't come back up--there may be a broken drive belt, chain, or gears. Or the switches inside the cabinet that control the direction and starting/stopping points of the ram may be defective or out of adjustment. Trash compactors can be tough to work on because they are, themselves, compact and difficult to move. We suggest that you consult the repair manual for your trash compactor.
The drawer is hard to open
Over time, food spills and other garbage may clog the track the drawer rides on. If you can remove your drawer, thoroughly clean the tracks, glides, rollers, and so on using degreaser and some dish detergent on a damp rag. Then wipe all of the components with a clean, damp rag and lightly oil the track with a household lubricant. If the drawer continues to be stiff, you may need to replace the rollers, ball-bearings, or tracks.
Work on these areas of an appliance may require help from an appliance repair person or other qualified technicians.
Warning! To avoid personal injury or even death, always disconnect your appliance from its power source--that is, unplug it or break the connection at the circuit breaker or fuse box--before you do any troubleshooting or repair work on your appliance. Also, because some components may have sharp edges, use caution while working on your appliance.
Popular Articles
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
65650 Views
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
64444 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
59544 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
40631 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
25467 Views
Latest Articles
Pros and Cons of Concreting Your Outdoor Area
If you're in the process of looking for a new driveway, patio, pool surrounding or path you may be waying up the option of concrete. Here are a...
on Jul 3, 2022
What Is Vacate Cleaning?
Vacate cleaning or end of lease cleaning, is a requirement for the person renting a home to clean the house at the end of their renting term. The...
on Jun 30, 2022
How Cleaning Your Gutters Can Save You Money!
There are many reasons why gutter cleaning is important, firsty for preventative maintenance and the overall safety of your building or home. We...
on Jun 30, 2022
How To Renovate Your Bathroom in Your Airbnb
If you are looking to renovate your bathroom in your Airbnb rental, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Renovating a bathroom can be a...
on Jun 30, 2022
How To Create a Spa-Like Atmosphere in Your Bathroom
If you are looking for a way to add a little luxury to your life, why not start in your own bathroom? Creating a spa-like bathroom in your home can...
on Jun 30, 2022
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Pros and Cons of Concreting Your Outdoor Area
on Jul 3, 2022
Garden / Landscaping / Patio

If you're in the process of looking for a new driveway, patio, pool surrounding or path you may be waying up the option of concrete. Here are a...
What Is Vacate Cleaning?
on Jun 30, 2022
Cleaning / Maintenance

Vacate cleaning or end of lease cleaning, is a requirement for the person renting a home to clean the house at the end of their renting term. The...
How Cleaning Your Gutters Can Save You Money!
on Jun 30, 2022
Roofing / Gutters

There are many reasons why gutter cleaning is important, firsty for preventative maintenance and the overall safety of your building or home. We...
Juan Plumbing - Learn about SCAMs
on Sep 17, 2021
Hire Contractors / Estimates

I can firmly say, I'm only trying to be an advocate for a neighbor that is a DISABLED SENIOR who was taken advantage of in this SCAM. I feel the...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 258
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 235
- Real Estate / Finance — 190
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 181
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 145
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 138
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 114
- Plumbing / Basements — 114
- Doors / Garages — 112
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Taking Care of Brussel Sprouts
Growing Brussels sprouts will be much easier if you take care of the plants properly. With proper tending and maintenance, the sprouts will grow...
Interior and Exterior Design for Home Improvement
Everyone wants to live in a nicely decorated home. It’s one of the essential demands of every single person and to make it happen, they often...
The Advantages you can Gained from Using Hydroponic Tents
Those who have adequate knowledge and experience about indoor gardening can easily grow whatever they want in these indoor growing systems but for...
Best Tips for Home Maintenance on a Budget
How much does it cost to buff out a 400 square-foot wooden floor and apply a new protective coating? Well, that all depends on how you get the job...
5 Reasons Why a Farmer Needs a Winch
For most of us, a winch is something we use to pull a vehicle that is bogged down or incapable of movement for any reason, and while that is one...