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No, you do not need a garbage disposal to have a dishwasher. A dishwasher will work without one, and while it's rare to see a home with a dishwasher that doesn't have a disposal, it is possible. The two appliances pair well and are often installed together because a disposal simplifies meal cleanup.

However, your dishwasher should not be used as a replacement for a garbage disposal. Subjecting it to continuous food leftovers can lead to major clogs. If you choose not to install a garbage disposal, you should thoroughly rinse your plates or scrape excess food into the trash or a compost pile before loading them into the dishwasher to prevent plumbing issues.

If your garbage disposal powers up and you can hear it hum, but the arms inside aren’t moving, the problem might be a stubborn clog, a build-up of grease, or a jam of the impeller plate. To troubleshoot these, ensure your unit is off and disconnected from its power source before checking inside the drain or attempting to manually rotate the impeller arms or plate from the underside of the unit. A hex wrench can help.

Most garbage disposals have a reset button that can be triggered with a tool as simple and accessible as your index finger. That said, if you need to perform a more in-depth troubleshooting step, like manually moving the arms inside the unit or rotating the impeller plate, a hex wrench is the most common tool you’ll need. Most garbage disposals come with a hex wrench.

To prevent drain clogs, perform regular maintenance and cleaning. Avoid disposing of substances like grease or coffee grounds down the sink. Additionally, installing and routinely using drain strainers can help catch debris and prevent blockages from forming.