How to reset a jammed garbage disposal. Power off first.
A disposal that hums, clicks or does nothing at all is usually jammed or tripped — not broken. Most of the time you can fix it in ten minutes with a hex key and the little red button underneath. Here's the safe way to do it, and how to tell when the unit is actually done.
What you'll need
Most disposals come with the wrench:
- 1/4-inch hex key — an Allen wrench, or the disposal wrench that came with it
- Flashlight — to look down the drain opening
- Tongs or pliers — never your hand
- A few minutes of patience — the motor may need to cool
The steps, in order.
Do them in sequence. Steps 1 and 2 are about safety — don't skip them.
Cut the power
Turn the wall switch off. Then unplug the disposal from the outlet under the sink, or if it's hard-wired, switch off its breaker in the panel. A jammed motor can suddenly turn free, so you want zero chance of it starting while you're working on it. Never put your hand in a disposal — even with the power off.
Listen to what it was doing
The sound tells you where to go. Humming means the motor is getting power but the flywheel is stuck — go to step 3. Silent usually means the reset button tripped or power isn't reaching it — skip to step 5. Runs but the sink won't drain means a clog in the drain line, not a jam.
Look and pull out the culprit
Shine a flashlight down the drain opening. If you see a fruit pit, bottle cap, bone or utensil, grab it with tongs or pliers and pull it out. Those little hard objects cause most jams.
Free the flywheel with the hex key
Under the sink, find the six-sided socket in the center of the disposal's bottom. Push the 1/4-inch hex key in and work it back and forth until you feel it break loose, then turn it in full circles a few times. That's the jam clearing. If you don't have a key, you can turn the flywheel from above with the end of a wooden broom handle — power off, and never a metal tool.
Press the red reset button
Also on the bottom of the unit is a small red or black button. If the motor overheated from humming, the button will be popped out. Press it until it clicks and stays in. If it won't stay in, the motor is still hot — wait 10 to 15 minutes and try again.
Restore power and test
Plug it back in or flip the breaker on. Run cold water, then turn the disposal on for a few seconds. It should spin freely. Keep cold water running for 15–20 seconds after you shut it off so everything flushes down the line.
Still silent? Check the power.
If the reset button is in and it still won't make a sound, work through these.
Flip it a few times
Some disposals run off a switch that also controls an outlet. Make sure you're using the right one — and that it's not a switch that wore out.
Press reset on the outlet
Many kitchens have a GFCI outlet on the counter or under the sink that feeds the disposal. If it tripped, everything downstream is dead. Press its reset button.
Look for a tripped breaker
A breaker that's sitting in the middle position is tripped. Push it fully off, then back on. If it trips again right away, stop — that's an electrical fault, not a jam.
A note for Valley kitchens
In a lot of Burbank, Glendale and San Fernando Valley homes the dishwasher drains through the disposal, so a jammed or clogged disposal can leave standing water in the dishwasher, too. And with all the backyard citrus and avocado trees around here, we pull a lot of pits and fibrous peels out of jammed units. Our garbage disposal dos and don'ts guide covers what's safe to grind.
When to call a plumber.
No shame in it — some clogs and jams are symptoms, not the disease. Call if any of these sound familiar:
It hums again right after
If the flywheel turns freely by hand but the motor still hums and won't spin, the motor or its starting parts are failing. That's a repair or a replacement. Our plumbing repairs team handles both.
It leaks from the bottom
Water dripping from the bottom of the unit itself usually means the internal seals have failed or the housing has corroded. That can't be patched — the disposal needs replacing.
The sink backs up anyway
If the disposal spins fine but the sink still won't drain, or the other basin fills up, the clog is in the drain line past the disposal. That's a drain cleaning job — skip the chemical cleaners, which can damage the unit and burn the next person who opens it.
Garbage disposal FAQ
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
On the bottom of the unit, under the sink. It's a small red or black button, usually near the center or the edge. If it's popped out, press it until it clicks.
Why does my garbage disposal hum but not spin?
Something is jamming the flywheel, or the motor is failing. Cut the power, free it with a 1/4-inch hex key in the bottom socket, then press reset. If it still hums after it turns freely by hand, the motor is on its way out.
Is it safe to put my hand in the garbage disposal?
No. Even with the switch off, use tongs or pliers. Unplug the unit or turn off its breaker before you reach under or into it.
How long do garbage disposals last?
Many last around 10 years, depending on use and care. A unit that jams often, leaks from the bottom, or trips the reset button over and over is usually cheaper to replace than to keep fighting.
Can I use drain cleaner in a garbage disposal?
We don't recommend it. Caustic cleaners can damage the disposal's seals and parts, and they leave a hazard for whoever opens the line next. Use the reset steps, and call if the drain is clogged past the unit.
Still stuck?
If this doesn't work or you'd rather not mess with it, call (818) 669-9019. 24/7 emergency service · Free estimates · Upfront flat-rate pricing