Quick answer
If your garbage disposal is silent, press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit and check the breaker. If it hums but does not spin, it is jammed: switch it off, turn the hex wrench in the hole at the bottom until it moves freely, remove the object with tongs, then press reset. Never put your hand inside the disposal.
A garbage disposal that stops working usually has one of three problems: the overload protector has tripped, something is jammed in the grinding plate, or the power supply is off. Most of these can be fixed in a few minutes with the small wrench that came with the unit.
The steps below follow InSinkErator's official support instructions. Other brands work in a similar way, but check your own manual.
Safety: Make sure the disposal switch is OFF before you start. If it plugs into an outlet under the sink, unplug it. InSinkErator says: do not place your hand in the garbage disposal at any time. Use tongs or pliers to remove objects.
First, is it silent or humming?
| What happens when you flip the switch | What it usually means | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing at all, no sound | The reset button has tripped, or there is no power | Reset button, then breaker |
| Humming, but the blades do not turn | Something is jamming the grinding plate | Hex wrench unjamming |
| Runs, but water drains slowly | A clog in the drain pipe | Clog steps below |
| Runs, but water drips underneath | A leak at a seal or pipe connection | Leak section below |
If it is silent: press the reset button
InSinkErator disposals have an overload protector. It shuts the motor off automatically if the unit jams or runs for a very long time.
- Turn the disposal switch off.
- Look under the sink at the bottom of the disposal, on the side facing the floor.
- Find the small, square red button. If it has tripped, it sits about 5 mm (a quarter inch) lower than normal.
- Press the red button gently.
- If it does not stay in, wait ten minutes and try again. The motor needs time to cool.
Some newer InSinkErator EZ Connect models do not have a red button. Instead, they reset themselves. Turn the wall switch off and let the unit cool for up to 20 minutes. If yours uses a push-button (air) switch on the counter, turn it off and unplug it for up to 20 minutes.
Still silent: check the power
InSinkErator's troubleshooting steps for a disposal that will not turn on:
- Check your electrical panel. Switch the breaker off and then on again, or replace the fuse in older homes.
- If the disposal plugs into an outlet, unplug it and plug in something else, such as a lamp. Flip the disposal switch on and off.
- If the lamp does not turn on and off with the switch, the switch or outlet is the problem. Call an electrician.
If your disposal is hardwired (no plug) and still does not work after you check the breaker, the problem may be inside the unit or in the home's wiring. That is a job for an electrician or plumber.
If it hums: unjam it with the hex wrench
Humming means the motor is getting power but cannot turn. Something, such as a bone, fruit pit or piece of cutlery, is stuck.
InSinkErator ships every disposal with a small silver wrench shaped like a crank, about four inches long. If you cannot find it, InSinkErator says a standard 1/4-inch Allen (hex) wrench will work.
- Turn the disposal switch off. If the sink is full of water, wait for it to drain or bail it out.
- Look under the sink. Find the hole in the dead centre of the bottom of the disposal.
- Put the wrench in the hole. Work it back and forth in both directions, like a crank.
- If it is stiff, it is OK to use some force. InSinkErator says the wrench is designed to bend before the disposal is damaged.
- Keep going until the wrench turns freely in full circles in both directions.
- Remove the wrench. Press the red reset button if it has popped down.
- Shine a flashlight into the disposal. Look around the outer edge of the grinding plate, near the small teeth.
- If you see anything, take it out with tongs or pliers, never your hand.
- Turn on the cold water, then turn on the disposal.
If it jams again, repeat the steps.
Some InSinkErator models (Builder Series, Amana and ES units) have no hole in the bottom. For these, turn off the disposal and water, then turn the grinding plate from above with a wooden spoon handle. Remove the spoon, then take out the object with tongs.
If the sink is draining slowly
If the disposal runs but water backs up, the clog is usually in the drain pipe after the disposal. Follow InSinkErator's advice: turn the disposal off and disconnect its power first. Do not put your hand inside. A sink plunger can help. Avoid chemical drain cleaners. InSinkErator asks owners to avoid harsh cleaning products in the disposal.
If it is leaking
Find the exact leak spot first. InSinkErator suggests this trick:
- Empty the cabinet under the sink.
- Tape a sheet of newspaper flat on the cabinet floor. Drips will leave wet spots.
- Fill the sink with water, wait, then let it drain. Look for leaks.
- Run the water and the disposal, and look again.
What to do depends on where the water comes from:
- Top (sink flange/mounting): Usually an installation problem. Follow the mounting instructions, or call a plumber.
- Side pipe (discharge): The pipe connection or its gasket may be loose or damaged.
- Dishwasher inlet: The hose connection from the dishwasher may be loose.
- Nearby pipes: Tighten the joints, or call a certified plumber.
- Bottom, body of the unit, or motor joint: First make sure water is not dripping down from higher up. If the leak really comes from the unit itself, InSinkErator asks you to contact them.
What NOT to put in a garbage disposal
InSinkErator says: "Never put fats, oils, or grease into a garbage disposal." It also asks owners to avoid harsh cleaning products and other non-food products.
- Fats, oils and grease. The City of Surrey warns that grease hardens and sticks to sewer pipes, and running hot water with it does not stop this.
- Non-food items, such as glass, metal or plastic.
- Harsh chemicals and drain cleaners.
- Stringy and fibrous food on basic models. InSinkErator says its Standard Series should not grind banana peels, celery or rhubarb. Some higher-end models can handle these, so check your model.
In Surrey, you can put food scraps and small amounts of cooking oil in your green organics cart instead. The City says larger amounts of cooking oil can be taken to the Central Surrey Recycling and Waste Centre for free.
InSinkErator recommends running a moderate flow of cold water while grinding, and for a few seconds after. Avoid hot water while grinding food. Turn the disposal on first, then feed food in slowly.
When to call a pro or replace it
- It still only hums after the wrench turns freely and you have pressed reset.
- The reset button keeps tripping.
- The breaker trips again, or you smell burning.
- Water leaks from the bottom, the body or the motor joint.
- You are not comfortable working with wiring or pipes.
A leak through the body of the unit, or a motor that will not run even when nothing is jammed, may mean the unit needs to be replaced. Ask a plumber to confirm, and check your warranty first. InSinkErator lists limited warranties of 1–3 years on Standard Series, 4–7 years on Power Series and 8–10 years on Quiet Series models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
On InSinkErator models, it is a small red square button on the bottom of the unit, facing the floor. You need to look under the sink to see it.
Why does my garbage disposal hum but not work?
Humming means the motor has power but the grinding plate is stuck. Turn it off, use the hex wrench in the bottom hole to free it, remove the object with tongs, then press reset.
What size Allen wrench fits a garbage disposal?
InSinkErator says a standard 1/4-inch Allen wrench works if you lost the wrench that came with the unit. Other brands may differ, so check your manual.
Can I put my hand in the disposal if the power is off?
No. InSinkErator says not to place your hand in the disposal at any time. Always use tongs or pliers.
Should I use hot or cold water with a garbage disposal?
Use cold water while grinding. InSinkErator says it is OK to drain hot water between grinding periods, but not while grinding food.
Can I pour cooking grease down the disposal if I run hot water?
No. The City of Surrey says hot water does not stop grease from sticking to pipes. Let grease cool, wipe it with paper towel, and put it in your green cart.
Official sources
- Fixing a Jammed Garbage Disposal — InSinkErator
- Resetting a Garbage Disposal — InSinkErator
- Garbage Disposal Won't Turn On or Off — InSinkErator
- Fixing a Clogged Garbage Disposal — InSinkErator
- Garbage Disposal Leaking — InSinkErator
- How to Use a Garbage Disposal — InSinkErator
- Garbage Disposal FAQs — InSinkErator
- Sanitary Sewer Maintenance for Property Owners — City of Surrey
- Sorting Recycling and Waste — City of Surrey
General information only, not professional advice. Rules and prices change, so check the official sources above before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.