Most garbage disposals have a reset button on the bottom or side of the unit
Yes, nearly all garbage disposals made in the last 20 years have a reset button. It is usually a small red or black button located on the underside or lower side of the motor housing — the part that hangs beneath your sink. The button sits flush with the casing, so you may need to feel around or use a flashlight to spot it.
The reset button is a thermal overload switch. When the motor gets too hot from jamming, overuse, or electrical strain, the switch trips automatically and cuts power to protect the unit from burning out. Pressing the button restores power so you can try running the disposal again.
Not every disposal has a reset button in the same place. Some models put it on the side of the motor, others on the bottom. A few older or commercial units may not have one at all. If you cannot find it after checking the underside and sides, your manual will show the exact location — or you can search your model number online with "reset button" to find photos.
Key Takeaways
- The reset button is a small red or black switch on the bottom or side of the motor housing that restores power after the unit shuts down from overheating.
- Before pressing reset, turn off the wall switch and wait at least five minutes for the motor to cool completely.
- If the reset button trips repeatedly after you press it, the disposal has an underlying problem — jamming, a stuck blade, or an electrical fault — and needs repair or replacement.
- Pressing reset does not clear a jam; you must remove the blockage first by hand or with tongs before the disposal will run safely.
How to safely press the reset button
Turn off the wall switch above the sink or flip the breaker that controls the disposal. Wait at least five minutes. This cooling period is important because the thermal switch will not reset while the motor is still hot, and you do not want to restart a unit that is overheating.
Once the time has passed, reach under the sink and locate the reset button. Press it firmly until you hear or feel a click. The button should pop back out slightly after you release it. Turn the wall switch back on and test the disposal by running water and flipping the switch briefly. If it starts normally, the reset worked.
Do not press the reset button while the disposal is running or while the wall switch is on. You risk electrical shock or the unit suddenly starting while your hand is near the drain.
Why the reset button trips in the first place
The most common cause is a jam. When something hard or fibrous gets stuck between the blade and the chamber wall, the motor strains and draws too much current. The thermal overload switch senses this and shuts the unit down before the motor burns out.
Overuse without breaks can also trip the switch. Running the disposal continuously for several minutes, especially while grinding tough material like bones or fruit pits, generates heat. If the motor does not get a rest between cycles, it will overheat and shut down.
Electrical problems — a worn motor, a failing capacitor, or a short in the wiring — can cause the motor to draw excessive current even when there is no jam. In these cases, the reset button may trip repeatedly or the unit may not start at all after reset.
What to do if the reset button keeps tripping
If you press reset and the disposal runs for a few seconds before shutting down again, something is still blocking the blade or the motor has an electrical fault. Do not keep pressing the button — repeated resets can damage the thermal switch itself.
First, turn off the disposal and check for a jam. Use a flashlight to look down the drain. If you see something stuck, use tongs or pliers to pull it out — never put your hand in the drain, even with the power off. Remove any visible debris, then try reset again.
If the disposal still will not stay on after you have cleared the drain, the problem is likely inside the motor. At that point, the unit needs professional repair or replacement. Continuing to press reset will not fix an electrical or mechanical failure.
Reset button versus the hex key under the disposal
Some people confuse the reset button with the hex socket (Allen wrench hole) on the bottom of the motor. The hex socket is for manually turning the blade if a jam is stuck too tight to clear from above. You use a quarter-inch Allen wrench to rock the blade back and forth gently, loosening the blockage.
The reset button and the hex socket serve different purposes. The socket helps you free a jam; the button restores power after the motor has shut down. You may need to use both — first the hex socket to clear the jam, then the reset button to restore power.
When you cannot find the reset button
If your disposal is mounted in a tight space or the button is worn smooth and hard to see, use a flashlight and run your fingers along the bottom and sides of the motor casing. The button will feel like a small raised circle or button under the plastic or metal housing.
If you still cannot locate it, check your owner's manual or search online for your specific model number and "reset button location." Disposal manufacturers vary in where they place the switch, and the manual will show you exactly where to look.
Some very old disposals or commercial models do not have a reset button. If your unit has no button after a thorough search, it may rely on a wall-mounted reset switch or breaker instead. In that case, turn off the breaker for 30 seconds and turn it back on to reset the unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I press the reset button while the disposal is running?
No. Always turn off the wall switch first and wait five minutes for the motor to cool. Pressing reset while the unit is powered on risks electrical shock and can damage the thermal switch.
What if the reset button is stuck and will not pop back out?
A stuck button usually means the thermal switch itself has failed. Do not force it. Turn off power to the disposal and contact a plumber or the manufacturer. The unit will need the switch replaced.
Does pressing reset clear a clogged drain?
No. Reset only restores power after the motor has shut down. You must remove the jam first — by hand with tongs, or by using the hex socket to rock the blade — before pressing reset.
How often is it normal for the reset button to trip?
Occasionally, if you grind something tough or run the disposal continuously. Frequently — more than once a month — means the disposal has a jam, a worn motor, or an electrical problem and should be inspected by a plumber.
Is it safe to press reset multiple times in a row?
No. Pressing reset repeatedly can wear out the thermal switch. If the button trips again when ready after you press it, stop and investigate the cause — clear any jam or call a plumber. Do not keep resetting.