January 06, 2015

Troubleshooting a stuck trash compactor drawer

What to check if a trash compactor drawer is stuck.
What to check if a trash compactor drawer is stuck.

Trash compactor is hard to open

Food spills inside the trash compactor drawer can build up on the slide and rollers. Remove the drawer from the cabinet and clean the tracks and rollers with a mild detergent or degreaser. Completely dry the components, then apply a household lubricant to the tracks and rollers to keep them moving freely. Replace any broken pieces.

Trash compactor drawer doesn’t open at all

The drawer won’t open if the ram is not completely raised. If you have a key-knob model, turn it to Start and then release. If you have push-button controls, press Off and then On. If the ram doesn’t go up, check for broken or stripped gears. Also check for a broken drive belt or drive chain and replace any broken parts. 

Most common symptoms to help you fix your trash compactors

Choose a symptom to see related trash compactor repairs.

Main causes: broken drive gear and sprocket chain, stripped power nuts, faulty top limit and directional switch...

Main causes: stuck foot pedal, bad momentary start switch, power switch failure...

Main causes: bent drawer support rollers, damaged trash container...

Main causes: stripped or broken power nuts, broken or disconnected drive gear and sprocket chain, damaged drive parts...

Main cause: faulty drawer tilt switch ...

Main causes: lack of power, faulty drawer safety switch, bad power switch, momentary start switch failure, bad drive mot...

Most common repair guides to help fix your trash compactors

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your trash compactor.

How to replace a trash compactor power switch

How to replace a trash compactor power switch

If the trash compactor won’t power up, use the steps in this repair guide to replace the power switch....

Repair difficulty
Time required
30 minutes or less
How to replace a trash compactor momentary start switch

How to replace a trash compactor momentary start switch

The momentary start switch starts the motor when you lift the foot pedal. This repair guide shows how to replace the swi...

Repair difficulty
Time required
15 minutes or less
How to replace a trash compactor motor centrifugal switch

How to replace a trash compactor motor centrifugal switch

If the trash compactor ram won’t return to the top position, replace the motor centrifugal switch by following the instr...

Repair difficulty
Time required
45 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your trash compactors

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your trash compactor.

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier....

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect....

Troubleshooting a stuck trash compactor drawer

Troubleshooting a stuck trash compactor drawer

Learn what to check if you are having problems with the drawer sticking on your trash compactor....