Compactors are simple machines, but jams and worn parts are common in older ones. Before looking inside, unplug the unit or turn off its breaker.
Drawer will not close or latch
- A bag sticking out over the edge of the drawer
- A bent drawer track or a roller off its rail
- Debris under the drawer
- The key switch, if the model has one, turned to off
Ram will not move or stops partway
- Empty the drawer completely and look for a jammed object, such as a glass bottle or a metal can on its side.
- Check the ram’s path for hardened residue.
- Plug the unit in and press start with the drawer fully closed.
- Listen: a hum without motion suggests a stuck drive; silence suggests a power or switch problem.
Odors and sticky residue
Odor often comes from spilled liquid on the drawer floor and the tracks. Clean with warm soapy water and a deodorizer made for the unit, and keep liquids out of the bag.
What cannot be settled by looking
A ram that stops can mean a worn drive chain, a failed motor or a weak safety switch. Any of these may look the same from outside. If a part has broken inside the drive housing, we can see it only when the unit is opened.
Safety
Never reach under the ram, and keep children away from the drawer when it is open.
Replace worn bags with the size made for your model and avoid overfilling. Pressing against a bag that is too large strains the ram and the drive.
We tell you if the compactor is worth repairing and give the price in writing first. See the trash compactor page and see which Houston-area cities we cover under the service area.