The Reset Button Is Usually Under the Sink

Most garbage disposals have a red or black reset button on the bottom or side of the motor housing, directly under your sink. When your disposal stops working or hums without grinding, this button has likely popped out—a safety feature that cuts power when the motor overheats or jams. Pushing it back in restores power and is the first step to get your disposal running again.

Before you reach for the reset button, turn off the wall switch or breaker that controls the disposal. This prevents the blades from suddenly spinning while your hand is near the drain. Leave the switch off for at least 30 seconds to let the motor cool down, especially if the disposal was running when it stopped.

Key Takeaways

  • The reset button is a red or black circle on the motor housing under the sink and pops out when the motor overheats or jams.
  • Always turn off power at the wall switch or breaker before pressing the reset button, and wait 30 seconds for the motor to cool.
  • If the disposal is jammed, clear the blockage by hand or with tongs before resetting—pushing the button on a jammed unit will not work.
  • If the reset button pops out again when ready after you press it, the motor may be damaged and the unit may need replacement.
  • Never put your hand down the drain; use a flashlight to see inside and remove debris with needle-nose pliers or tongs.

Clear Any Jam Before You Reset

A jammed disposal is the most common reason the reset button pops out. Food, bones, or fibrous material can wedge between the blades and the grinding ring, stopping the motor. Resetting the button without clearing the jam will not help—the motor will straightforward overheat again and pop the button out a second time.

To check for a jam, turn off the power and shine a flashlight down the drain opening. Look for visible debris. If you see something, use needle-nose pliers or tongs to pull it out—never reach in with your fingers, even with the power off. Once the drain looks clear, you can move on to resetting the button.

How to Press the Reset Button

Locate the reset button on the bottom or lower side of the motor housing. It will be a small circle, usually red or black, that sticks out slightly when it has not been triggered. Press it firmly until you hear or feel a click. The button should sit flush with the housing when it is reset.

Turn the wall switch back on or flip the breaker back to the on position. Run cold water and turn on the disposal for a few seconds to test it. If it grinds normally, the reset worked. If it hums but does not grind, turn it off when ready—there may still be a jam you did not see.

What to Do If the Button Pops Out Again

If the reset button pops out within a few minutes of pressing it, the motor is overheating repeatedly. This usually means there is still a jam, or the motor itself is failing. Turn off the power and check the drain one more time with a flashlight and pliers, looking for anything wedged in the grinding chamber.

If the drain is clear and the button still pops out, the motor may be damaged. Repeated overheating can wear out the thermal overload switch or the motor windings. At this point, the disposal may need to be replaced rather than reset. A disposal that resets once and works normally is fine; one that resets repeatedly is signaling a deeper problem.

Prevent Future Jams and Resets

Most resets happen because of what goes down the drain. Avoid putting bones, fruit pits, fibrous vegetables like celery or corn husks, or starchy foods like pasta or rice into the disposal. These materials jam the blades or create blockages downstream in your pipes. Grease and oil should never go down any drain—they solidify as they cool and cause clogs.

Run cold water before, during, and after using the disposal. The water helps move food particles through the grinding chamber and down the drain. Let the disposal run for a few seconds after you turn off the water to clear any remaining debris. If you hear the motor straining or grinding sounds change, turn it off when ready—that is often the first sign of a jam forming.

When to Call a Plumber

If you have reset the button, cleared any visible jam, and the disposal still does not work, a plumber can diagnose the problem. They can check whether the jam is deeper in the drain line, test the motor, or determine if the unit needs replacement. A disposal that is more than 10 years old and stops working is usually cheaper to replace than to repair.

If water backs up into your sink when you run the disposal, the clog is likely downstream in your drain line, not in the disposal itself. A plumber can clear that blockage. Do not keep running the disposal if water is backing up—you risk pushing the clog deeper or damaging the unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Always turn off the wall switch or breaker before touching the reset button. If the power is on and you press the button, the blades could suddenly spin and injure your hand. Wait 30 seconds after turning off the power to let the motor cool before resetting.

What if I cannot find the reset button?

Check the bottom and all sides of the motor housing under the sink. Some models have the button on the side facing the wall. If you still cannot find it, look at the disposal's manual or search the model number online. A few older or commercial units do not have a reset button and require a different troubleshooting approach.

Is it safe to put my hand down the drain to clear a jam?

No, even with the power off. Use a flashlight to see what is stuck, then remove it with needle-nose pliers, tongs, or a bent wire coat hanger. Your fingers can get caught or cut on the sharp edges of the grinding ring. Pliers give you reach and control without risk.

How often should a garbage disposal reset?

A healthy disposal should rarely need resetting. If you reset it more than once or twice a year, something is wrong—either you are putting the wrong things down the drain, or the motor is failing. Frequent resets mean the unit is overheating regularly, which shortens its lifespan.

Can a reset button get stuck and not pop out when it should?

Yes, though it is uncommon. If the button does not pop out even when the motor overheats, the thermal switch inside may be broken. The motor could overheat without you knowing, which is a fire risk. If you suspect this, have a plumber inspect the unit or replace it.