How to Reset a Garbage Disposal: Button, Hex Key and Power

How to reset a garbage disposal: switch off the disposal and its wall switch, wait a few minutes, press the red reset button on the underside of the unit, then restore power and test with cold water. If it hums and will not spin, free the jam with a hex key from below first. Never put your hand in the drain.

How to reset a garbage disposal: why it stops

Most disposals have an overload protector. When the motor strains because of a jam, too much food or a hot motor, a small breaker pops out and cuts power. The reset button restores it. A humming sound with no spinning usually means a jam, while silence often means the overload tripped or power is off.

Quick facts: how to reset a garbage disposal
Time	About 5 minutes
You need	Flashlight, 1/4 inch hex key, tongs or pliers
First step	Switch off at the wall and unplug if it has a plug
Never	Put your hand or fingers inside the drain

Step by step

1. Turn off the wall switch and, if the unit plugs in under the sink, unplug it.
2. Wait ten to fifteen minutes if the motor feels hot, so the overload protector can cool.
3. Look underneath the disposal for a small red or black reset button on the bottom or side.
4. Press the button firmly. It should click in and stay.
5. Restore power, run cold water and flip the switch. If it runs, grind a few ice cubes to clear any remainder.
6. If it hums but does not spin, go to the next section.

Freeing a jam

1. With power off, find the hex socket in the center of the underside of the disposal.
2. Insert a 1/4 inch hex key and work it back and forth until it turns freely.
3. Look down the drain with a flashlight and remove any object with tongs, never fingers.
4. Press the reset button, restore power and run cold water.

Common causes

Cause	Signs	Fix
Jam	Hum, no spin	Hex key, tongs
Overload	Silent, reset popped	Cool, reset
No power	Silent, button feels fine	Check switch, breaker, GFCI
Stuck wiring or tripped breaker	Dead after reset	Reset breaker, then call
Worn motor	Reset trips repeatedly	Replacement

Check the power

If pressing the button does nothing, check that the wall switch works, the breaker has not tripped and any GFCI outlet nearby is reset. If you are not sure the circuit is off, do not touch wiring.

What not to do

Do not use chemical drain cleaners in the disposal, because they can corrode parts and splash. Do not force the switch repeatedly on a jammed unit, which can burn out the motor. Do not feed it grease, bones, fibrous peels or large quantities at once.

Keeping it running

Run cold water before, during and after use, feed small amounts, grind ice occasionally and clean it regularly. Once you know how to reset a garbage disposal, the same checklist handles most stoppages.

Which hex key and where

Most disposals take a 1/4 inch hex key (Allen wrench), and many come with one taped under the unit. The socket is in the center of the bottom plate. Turning it back and forth moves the flywheel by hand and frees most jams. If you cannot find a key, a hardware store sells one for little. Keep it in the cabinet under the sink so you do not have to hunt for it next time.

After the reset

Run cold water for 30 seconds, grind a handful of ice and then a small amount of food to confirm it runs. If it hums, stops or smells burnt, switch it off and leave it. Letting it keep running with a jam is how motors burn out.

When to call a professional

If the reset trips every time, the unit leaks, the motor is silent after a reset and power is fine, or the flange is cracked, a plumber can repair or replace it.

Related reading

• Garbage Disposal Not Working? Reset, Unjam and Test It
• How to Get Rid of Garbage Disposal Smell: 6 Fixes That Work
• How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink: Plunger, Trap and Snake
• Dishwasher Water Backing Up Into Sink: Causes and Fixes

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