Press the reset button on the bottom of the unit first

Most garbage disposals have a red or black reset button on the underside of the motor housing, directly beneath your sink. This button cuts power to the unit when it overheats or jams. Before you do anything else, turn off the wall switch, then press this button firmly until you hear or feel it click. Wait 5 minutes, flip the wall switch back on, and run cold water for 10 seconds. If the disposal hums and grinds normally, you are done.

If pressing the reset button does not work, the disposal may have a jam that is preventing the motor from turning. The reset button only restores power—it does not clear blockages.

Key Takeaways

  • The reset button sits on the bottom of the motor housing under your sink and restores power after an overheat or jam.
  • Always turn off the wall switch before attempting any reset or jam removal.
  • Never put your hand down the drain; use tongs or pliers to remove visible debris from the top.
  • If the disposal still will not turn after reset, the jam is likely stuck in the grinding chamber and requires manual clearing from above.
  • A disposal that resets repeatedly may have a worn motor and should be inspected by a plumber.

Turn off power at the wall switch before touching anything

This is the most important safety step. Flip the wall switch to OFF and leave it off while you work. Do not rely on the reset button alone to keep the unit from spinning—a switch that is physically off is the only safe position. If you cannot find the switch, it is usually on the wall near the sink or inside the cabinet directly below.

Some older homes have the disposal on a regular outlet instead of a dedicated switch. If that is the case, unplug the unit from the outlet under the sink. Do not skip this step, even if you think the jam is minor.

Clear visible jams from the top of the drain

With the power off, shine a flashlight down the drain opening and look for food, bones, or other debris stuck in the upper chamber. Use needle-nose pliers or kitchen tongs to pull out anything you can reach. Work slowly and do not force anything—if an object is wedged tight, you may need to loosen it first by gently rocking it side to side.

Never put your hand or fingers into the drain, even with the power off. The grinding ring at the bottom is sharp, and your hand can slip. Pliers and tongs keep your fingers at a safe distance. Once you have removed all visible debris, run cold water for 10 seconds to rinse the chamber.

Manually turn the grinding ring if the disposal is jammed

If the reset button did not restore power, or if the motor hums but does not spin, the grinding ring is likely stuck. Look under the sink for a hex socket (usually 1/4 inch) at the very bottom center of the motor. Insert an Allen wrench into this socket and turn it back and forth gently—do not force it. You are trying to free the ring, not break the wrench.

Turn the wrench a quarter turn in one direction, then a quarter turn back. Repeat this rocking motion 5 to 10 times. You may feel resistance ease as debris shifts. Once the ring moves freely, remove the wrench, turn the wall switch back on, and run cold water while the disposal runs for 10 seconds. If the ring still will not budge after several attempts, stop and contact a plumber—forcing it further can damage the motor.

Run cold water and test the disposal

After you have cleared debris and reset the unit, turn on the cold water tap first, then flip the wall switch on. Let the disposal run for 10 to 15 seconds while water flows. You should hear a normal grinding sound and feel no vibration or unusual noise. Turn off the switch, then turn off the water.

If the disposal runs smoothly, you have successfully reset it. If it still hums without grinding, or if it makes a loud rattling sound, turn it off when ready and do not use it again until a plumber has inspected it. Continuing to run a jammed or damaged disposal can cause motor failure.

Prevent future jams by changing what goes down the drain

The most common cause of garbage disposal jams is putting the wrong things down the drain. Avoid putting bones, fruit pits, fibrous vegetables (like celery or corn husks), grease, or starchy foods (like pasta or rice) into the disposal. These items either jam the grinding ring or create clogs further down the pipe.

Instead, scrape plates into the trash before rinsing them. Run cold water while the disposal is on, and keep the water running for a few seconds after you turn the unit off. This flushes ground food through the drain line. If you do accidentally jam the disposal again, you now know the reset steps and can clear it yourself in a few minutes.

When to call a plumber instead of resetting

If the reset button pops out again within a few days, or if the disposal keeps jamming even after you clear visible debris, the motor may be wearing out. A disposal that resets repeatedly is overheating, which usually means the motor is losing power or the grinding ring is damaged. A plumber can diagnose whether the unit needs repair or replacement.

You should also call a plumber if you hear a loud grinding or rattling sound that does not go away after you clear the jam, or if the disposal leaks water from the bottom of the motor housing. These are signs of internal damage that a reset cannot fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset the garbage disposal without turning off the power?

No. Always turn off the wall switch before pressing the reset button or reaching into the drain. Even with the reset button pressed, the motor can restart unexpectedly if someone flips the switch. A physically off switch is the only safe position when you are working on the unit.

What if the reset button will not click or stay pressed?

If the button feels stuck or does not click when you press it, the motor may be too hot to reset. Turn off the wall switch and wait 10 to 15 minutes for the motor to cool down. Then try pressing the reset button again. If it still does not click after cooling, the button itself may be broken and the unit will need professional repair.

Is it safe to use a plunger on the garbage disposal drain?

No. A plunger can force debris deeper into the drain line or damage the rubber seal around the drain opening. Stick to removing debris by hand with tongs or pliers from the top of the drain. If water is backing up into your sink, the clog is likely below the disposal, and a plumber should clear it.

How long should I wait after pressing reset before turning the disposal back on?

Wait at least 5 minutes. This gives the motor time to cool and the reset mechanism time to fully engage. Turning the disposal back on too quickly can cause the reset button to pop again when ready.

Can I reset the garbage disposal if it is leaking?

No. If water is leaking from the bottom of the motor housing or from the seals around the drain, the unit has internal damage that a reset cannot fix. Turn off the power and do not use the disposal until a plumber has inspected it. Continuing to run a leaking disposal can cause water damage under your sink.