Start with the reset button before you call a repair person

Most InSinkErator garbage disposals jam or stop working because something is stuck, the motor has overheated, or the unit has tripped its internal overload switch. Before you take it apart or call a plumber, press the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal unit itself. This button cuts power to the motor when it gets too hot or draws too much current, and it is the first thing to try when your disposal stops running or hums without grinding.

To find the reset button, look underneath your sink at the cylindrical motor housing of the disposal. The button is usually red or black and sits on the underside. Press it firmly — you should hear or feel a click. Then wait five minutes for the motor to cool, flip the wall switch off and on again, and run cold water while the disposal runs. If it works, you are done. If it still does not work, move to the next step.

Key Takeaways

  • The reset button on the bottom of the motor housing is the first thing to press when your InSinkErator stops working or hums without grinding.
  • Never put your hand down the drain or use a plunger; instead, use tongs or pliers to remove stuck food or objects from above the drain opening.
  • If the disposal hums but does not grind, something is jamming the flywheel, and you may need to manually rotate it using an Allen wrench in the hex socket at the bottom of the motor.
  • InSinkErator disposals typically last 8 to 15 years, and replacement is usually cheaper than repair once the motor burns out or the seal fails.
  • If the reset button does not work and you cannot free a jam, call a plumber rather than disassembling the unit yourself.

Remove a stuck object without reaching into the drain

If the reset button does not fix the problem, the disposal is likely jammed by food, a bone, or a foreign object. Do not reach into the drain with your hand or stick anything down the opening while the disposal is plugged in — the blades can start without warning if someone flips the switch.

Turn off the wall switch and unplug the disposal at the outlet under the sink. Use a flashlight to look down the drain opening. If you can see the object, use needle-nose pliers or kitchen tongs to pull it straight up and out. Work from above the drain, not from inside it. Once you have removed the object, plug the unit back in, press the reset button again, and test it with cold water running.

If you cannot see anything stuck but the disposal still hums without grinding, the flywheel (the spinning part inside) may be jammed by something you cannot reach from above. Move to the next section.

Manually free a jammed flywheel using the hex socket

InSinkErator disposals have a hex socket (a six-sided hole) at the very bottom of the motor housing. If the disposal hums but the blades do not turn, you can use an Allen wrench to manually rotate the flywheel and break the jam.

Unplug the disposal first. Find a 1/4-inch Allen wrench (also called a hex key) — most hardware stores sell them individually or in sets. Insert the wrench into the hex socket at the bottom center of the motor and turn it back and forth, not in one direction. You are trying to rock the flywheel loose, not force it to spin all the way around. After a few back-and-forth motions, remove the wrench, plug the unit back in, press the reset button, and test it with cold water.

If the flywheel still will not turn or turns only slightly, the jam is too severe for this method. Stop trying and call a plumber, because forcing it further can damage the motor or the seal.

Check the wall switch and outlet if the disposal will not turn on at all

If the disposal does not hum, does not grind, and does not respond to the reset button, the problem may be electrical rather than mechanical. First, make sure the wall switch is actually on. Then check whether the outlet under the sink has power by plugging in a lamp or phone charger — if nothing works, the outlet may be dead.

If the outlet is dead, look for a small reset button on the outlet itself (it may be labeled GFCI or GFI). Press it. If that restores power, the outlet's safety circuit tripped, and your disposal should work again. If the outlet still has no power, the circuit breaker for that outlet may have flipped in your electrical panel. Go to your breaker box, find the switch labeled for the kitchen or disposal, and flip it back to the on position.

If power is restored and the disposal still does not run, the motor itself has likely failed and the unit will need to be replaced.

Understand when replacement is more practical than repair

InSinkErator disposals typically last 8 to 15 years depending on how often you use them and what you put down the drain. Once the motor burns out, the seal fails and leaks, or the reset button stops working, repair is usually not worth the cost. A service call from a plumber runs $150 to $300 just for diagnosis, and replacement parts for the motor or seal can cost $200 to $400 on top of that.

A new InSinkErator disposal unit costs $150 to $500 depending on the model, and installation by a plumber typically runs $200 to $400. If your disposal is more than 10 years old and the repair estimate is more than half the cost of a new unit, replacement is the smarter choice. Newer models are also more energy-efficient and quieter than older ones.

Prevent future jams by watching what goes down the drain

The best fix is prevention. Disposals work by grinding soft food waste into small particles that wash away with water. They are not designed for bones, fruit pits, fibrous vegetables like celery or corn husks, pasta, rice, grease, or hard objects like glass or metal.

Before you run the disposal, scrape plates into the trash. Run cold water (not hot) while the disposal is on, and let it run for a few seconds after you stop feeding it food. Hot water can melt grease and let it solidify further down the pipe. If you accidentally drop something hard or non-food into the sink, fish it out before turning on the disposal.

Know when to call a plumber instead of troubleshooting further

Call a plumber if the reset button does not work, you cannot remove a stuck object with pliers, the flywheel will not budge with an Allen wrench, or the disposal leaks from the bottom or sides. These are signs of internal motor failure, a broken seal, or a jam too severe for a homeowner to safely clear. Trying to force the issue can damage the unit further or cause injury.

Also call a plumber if the disposal grinds but the water drains slowly or backs up into the sink. This usually means the jam has moved further down the drain line, and a plumber has the tools to clear it from the trap or the main line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a plunger to clear a jammed garbage disposal?

No. A plunger can force water and debris into the drain line and make the jam worse. It can also damage the seal inside the disposal. Use pliers or tongs to remove objects from above the drain instead.

What does it mean if the disposal hums but does not grind?

The motor is running but the flywheel is stuck. Something is jamming the blades. Try the Allen wrench method to rock it loose, or call a plumber if that does not work. Do not force it, because you can burn out the motor.

Is it safe to reach into the disposal to clear a jam?

Only if the unit is unplugged and you are certain no one can turn it on. Even then, use pliers or tongs instead of your hand. The blades are sharp and can cause serious cuts.

How often should I clean my garbage disposal?

Run it once a week with cold water and a small amount of dish soap to rinse the interior. You can also grind ice cubes or citrus peels to help clean the blades, but do not use chemical drain cleaners, which can damage the seal and the pipes.

What should I do if my disposal leaks from the bottom?

The seal has failed and the unit cannot be repaired. You will need to replace it. Call a plumber to remove the old disposal and install a new one, because the work involves disconnecting the drain line and the electrical connection.