How to Fix a Stuck or Jammed Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals break in very predictable ways, and all of these ways have very simple fixes that take less than 15 minutes to do. The thing is, nobody seems to be aware of the two-step process: diagnosis and then fixing. This leads to pressing buttons and hoping one works.
When my garbage disposal broke for the first time, I knew it was broken because it made no sound when I turned the switch. I decided to look up the price for a new one. Then, I was told to check the reset button on the bottom. I did, and voila! It worked perfectly. This could have been a $200 fix for a 10-second problem.
There are four types of problems that garbage disposals may have. They include a jammed grinding plate, a reset button, a rattle from a foreign object, and an electrical problem. Three out of four types of problems can be fixed by the user within 15 minutes.

One rule that is true for every single fix in this guide, without exception: turn off power to disposal before reaching inside or under it. This is not negotiable. I will remind you of this repeatedly.

How a Garbage Disposal Works

A garbage disposal is much less complicated than most people think. Essentially, a garbage disposal is an electric motor that is located underneath the sink, which spins a grinding plate, which has impellers, or blunt pieces of metal, attached to them. These impellers fling the food waste against a grinding ring, which does not move, located on the inside of the disposal, grinding the food waste into small pieces that flow down the drain with water.
There are no blades, which, for most people, might be the biggest shock of all. The impellers are blunt pieces of metal, not blades, which makes sticking your hand in the disposal a bad idea, as well as why sticking a bone or a fruit pit in the disposal jams the disposal, not chopping them up.

🔑 Key Insight: The one thing you need to understand when it comes to garbage disposal repair is that the motor and grinding plate are totally separate from your plumbing. A jammed garbage disposal does not hurt your plumbing at all. A garbage disposal with a leak coming from the top, around the sink flange, is a plumbing problem. A garbage disposal leaking from the bottom is a seal problem and means it is time to buy a new one.

Step 1: Diagnose the Problem

Before touching anything, listen and observe. The symptoms tell you exactly which fix to apply.

Symptom 1 — Completely Silent When You Flip the Switch

No hum, no sound at all. This almost always means that the internal reset button inside the disposal has tripped, cutting off the power supply to the motor.
Solution: You have to press the reset button, which is located at the bottom of the unit.
This should take about 10 seconds.
Sometimes, this may also imply that the switch has failed or that the disposal has lost power supply from the circuit.
You should check if other appliances on the same circuit are working.

Symptom 2 — Humming Sound but Not Spinning

The motor is running, which means it is receiving power, and the grinding plate is stuck because something is jamming it, which could be a hard object, a utensil, or a buildup, causing the grinding plate to seize. This is the most common type of disposal problem, and the fix for this type of disposal problem is to free the grinding plate manually from underneath.

Symptom 3 — Loud Rattling or Clanking While Running

An object, a hard item such as a cap from a bottle, a spoon, a pit from a fruit, a coin, has fallen into the disposal and is being tossed about inside the grinding chamber. The disposal is still functioning, but the noise is caused by the object being tossed about by the impellers. The object needs to be removed, as it could damage the grinding ring.

Symptom 4 — Disposal Works but Drains Very Slowly

The disposal is working properly, but the food waste is not going through the disposal, rather backing up in the drain. This is a clog in the drain, which is below the disposal, rather than a problem with the disposal. This is solved by the drain snake or P-trap cleaning.

💡 Pro Tip: Before you start any of this, make sure that the disposal switch is actually connected and works. Try turning the wall switch off and on. Check if it is a switched outlet under the sink by looking for a power button on the disposal unit itself. Some disposal units have a power switch on the unit rather than on the wall.

Fix 1: Press the Reset Button (Disposal is Completely Dead)

This is the fix that most people don’t know about, and this fixes a large percentage of the ‘my disposal stopped working’ problems right away.
Thermal Overload Protector:
This is a safety feature that is built into the garbage disposal. This safety feature will turn off the power supply to the disposal’s motor if the disposal is jammed, has been running for a long time, or has received a power surge. This prevents damage to the disposal’s motor. The reset button located on the bottom of the disposal is used to turn the disposal back on after this has happened.

1. Ensure that the disposal switch is turned off. It should be in the off position.
2. Look underneath your sink, directly at the bottom of your disposal unit. You will see a button, usually red or black, in the very center bottom of the disposal unit. This is the reset button.
3. Click this button firmly until you hear a clicking sound. This button will have been slightly popped out if it was pressed, and pressing it will cause it to go back in.
4. Wait 15 minutes. This is because, if it overheated, it should cool off.
5. Flip the switch on. If it is working, you are done. If it is quiet, look for the circuit breaker for this kitchen circuit.

💡 Pro Tip: If the reset button trips again in a matter of minutes after being reset – there is still a jam in the unit. The thermal protector is tripping due to the motor struggling to get around the jam and hence overheating. Fix the jam (Fix 2) before resetting the button.

Fix 2: Free a Jammed Grinding Plate (Humming but Not Spinning)

A humming disposal is one where the motor is running but the grinding plate won’t turn. The motor will overheat quickly in this state — turn the switch off immediately if this is what you’re experiencing. Running a jammed motor burns it out.

⚠️ Safety Warning: First, turn off the wall switch, and also unplug the disposal from the outlet under the sink. The outlet is usually located immediately behind the disposal unit. If you are unable to do this, turn off the circuit breaker for this kitchen circuit. Never place your hands or any tool into a disposal or into the drain opening unless you are sure it is off.

1. Find the hex socket on the bottom of the disposal. Most disposal units have a 1/4 inch hex (Allen wrench) socket located in the center of the bottom. This will allow you to manually turn the grinding plate and clear a jam.
2. Insert the proper Allen wrench. InSinkErator is the most popular disposal unit, and they use a 1/4 inch hex wrench. Most disposal units come with this wrench, which is usually located in the junk drawer or toolbox. If you don’t have a 1/4 inch hex wrench, they are only $2 at Home Depot.
3. Rotate the wrench back and forth, moving it clockwise and counterclockwise, and slowly increasing the range of motion. This will manually clear the grinding plate of whatever is jamming it. You will feel a release of resistance as the jam is cleared.
4. Look from above with a flashlight. Shine a flashlight down the drain and look for the object that is jamming the disposal. Use tongs or needle-nose pliers to remove the object, never your fingers.
5. Restore power and press the reset button – plug the disposal back in or flip the breaker on. Press the reset button on the bottom. Then flip the wall switch on and run water.
6. Run cold water and test – run cold water prior to testing. The disposal should run freely. If it jams again immediately, there is an obstruction.

🔑 Key Insight: InSinkErator, a leading garbage disposal manufacturer, provides a hex wrench with every disposal they make. It is sometimes taped to the side of the disposal if no one has ever used the disposal. Make sure you have this before buying a disposal. It is sometimes called a disposal wrench or garbage disposal key.

Fix 3: Remove a Foreign Object (Loud Rattling Noise)

If the disposal rattles, this means something hard has gone into the disposal, something like a bottle cap, a small spoon, a ring, a coin, a fruit pit, or a small bone.
The disposal may continue to grind, but the object will be bouncing around and will damage the grinding ring if not removed.

⚠️ Safety Warning: Before you reach into the disposal drain opening, it is important to turn off the power to the disposal unit. Even if the switch is off, the motor may be getting power if the switch is malfunctioning, so be sure to unplug the unit or turn off the circuit breaker before attempting to remove any objects that have gone into the disposal.

1. Turn off and unplug the disposal – the first step is to turn off the disposal before anything else.
2. Shine a flashlight down the drain opening – locate the foreign object.
   Most foreign objects are stuck at the edge of the grinding chamber because the impellers were not able to push the objects up and out.
3. Use tongs to remove the object – insert the tongs and retrieve the object.
   Note: Never use the fingers to remove the object, even if the disposal is off, because the grinding ring has sharp edges.
4. Spin the grinding plate manually – use the hex wrench to manually rotate the plate from underneath.
5. Restore power and test – run cold water and turn on the disposal.
   Note: The object should be removed if the rattle has disappeared.

💡 Pro Tip: It is a good idea to have a pair of kitchen tongs specifically for disposal. This means a pair of tongs that you use only for disposal and nothing else. This will save a lot of time if something falls in and you need to retrieve it. Keep them under the sink.

Fix 4: Clear a Clogged Disposal Drain

If the disposal is working normally but the water is not draining and instead is backing up into the sink, the cause is not the disposal but the drain line after the disposal. The most likely cause is the P-trap under the disposal.

1. Stop the disposal. Although the disposal is the cause of the problem, it is functioning normally so you do not need to unplug it. Simply switch it off.
2. Examine the dishwasher drain. If you have a dishwasher, a drain hose is connected to the dishwasher and a drain outlet on the disposal. The drain hose should not be pinched or clogged. The dishwasher drain hose should not be clogged, as this would cause the water to back up into the disposal and the sink.
3. Clean the disposal drain interior – pour a cup of baking soda down the disposal drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let this fizz for 10 minutes, then flush with hot water. This loosens the grease and soap buildup inside the disposal drain chamber.
4. Snake the drain line – if this doesn’t work, use a hand snake on the drain line that is below the disposal. Remove the P-trap if necessary, as this will allow direct access to the drain line.

Disposal Problem Quick Reference Table

Diagnose your problem and find the right fix in one glance:

Symptom	Likely Cause	DIY Fix?	What to Do	Time Needed
Humming but not spinning	Jammed grinding plate	Yes	Use hex key to free the plate	5–10 mins
Completely dead — no sound	Tripped reset button	Yes	Press reset button on bottom	1–2 mins
Trips reset repeatedly	Persistent jam or motor issue	Sometimes	Clear jam fully or replace	15–30 mins
Loud rattling noise	Foreign object inside unit	Yes	Remove object with tongs	5 mins
Leaking from bottom	Worn seal or cracked housing	No	Replace the disposal unit	1–2 hrs

What Never to Put in a Garbage Disposal

Prevention is the best disposal maintenance. The following items are the most common culprits for jamming, clogging, and damaging disposal units:
⦁ Fruit pits and seeds, such as cherry pits, peach pits, and avocado seeds. These are very hard, which means they will immediately jam the grinding plate.
⦁ Grease and oil, which solidify in the drain line below the disposal unit, causing clogs. It is best to pour cooled-down grease into a jar and discard it in the trash.
⦁ Pasta and rice, which expand when wet, sometimes forming a sticky paste that jams the grinding plate and clogs the drain line.

⦁ Fibrous vegetables – celery strings, artichoke leaves, and corn husks. The fibers will wrap around the impellers and jam them.
⦁ Coffee grounds. They appear harmless but will form a thick sludge in the trap and drain pipe below the disposal.
⦁ Eggshells. The membrane from the eggshell will wrap around the grinding assembly. You may have read that eggshells sharpen the blades of a disposal. Not so – no blades!
⦁ Bones. Small fish bones may go through the disposal, but larger bones will jam the grinding plate right away.

💡 Pro Tip: Use cold water, not hot water, with the disposal running. Cold water ensures that any grease or fat in the water stays in a solid form, which can be ground up and flushed away. Hot water, on the other hand, melts the grease, causing it to flow out in a liquid form, which then solidifies in the pipe and coats the inside of the pipe.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Reaching Into the Disposal With Power On

This is the worst mistake you can make when working with a garbage disposal. The plate spins fast enough to cause injury in a matter of fractions of a second. You should turn off the wall switch, unplug it, or switch off the circuit breaker before putting anything into the drain opening, including a flashlight, tongs, or a tool. Every single time.

2. Running the Disposal Without Water
   If you operate the disposal without water, it will grind food waste into a paste, which will coat the inside of the disposal and drain line. You should always run cold water before operating the disposal, during operation, and for 15-20 seconds after turning off the disposal. The water will flush ground material through and out of the disposal.
3. Resetting Without Clearing the Jam
   If you reset the disposal without clearing the grinding plate jam with the hex wrench, the disposal will overheat almost immediately, causing you to reset the disposal again. Use the hex wrench to clear the grinding plate jam, and then reset the disposal.
4. Using Hot Water to Flush
   Hot water will dissolve any solidified grease that has built up in the pipes, but the grease will solidify again further down the pipes, causing a clog. Cold water will keep the grease in a state that will allow it to be ground up.
5. Ignoring a Leak
   If the disposal is leaking around the sink drain flange area at the top, this could mean that the disposal needs the bolts tightened or that the plumber’s putty needs to be changed. If the disposal is leaking at the bottom, this is a sign that you need a new disposal, as the seal inside the disposal has failed.
   Note: Leaks should not be ignored, as a leak under the sink will cause mold growth in a very short period of time.

When to Replace Instead of Repair

In general, garbage disposals can be repaired for the first 3-5 years of their lifespan. After this point, it is more cost-effective to replace the garbage disposal than to continue repairing it. When to replace a garbage disposal:
⦁ Leaks from the bottom. This is because the seal inside the garbage disposal has failed and cannot be repaired.
⦁ Makes loud grinding or metallic noises even when empty. This is because the garbage disposal’s grinding ring has failed.
⦁ Trips the reset button often even when running normally. This is because the garbage disposal’s motor has failed.
⦁ Is over 10 years old and needs a third repair. At this point, it is more cost-effective to replace the garbage disposal rather than continue repairing it. A new garbage disposal can cost anywhere from $100-$200.
Replacement is a beginner-level DIY task. This is because it is easy to install a new garbage disposal. This is so because the mounting system is designed for easy installation. A new InSinkErator or Moen garbage disposal can be installed in 30 minutes by using the mounting bracket from the old disposal.

Final Thoughts

A garbage disposal that does not work is never as bad as you think it is. The fix for a disposal with a reset button takes 10 seconds, the fix for a disposal with a hex wrench jam takes 5-10 minutes, and the fix for a disposal with a foreign object takes 5 minutes. These three fixes will take care of the vast majority of garbage disposal problems the majority of the time.
The key habit to prevent the majority of garbage disposal problems from even beginning: run cold water before, during, and after every use of the garbage disposal. And the key habit to prevent the majority of garbage disposal problems from even beginning: never use the garbage disposal to grind fibrous vegetables, grease, pasta, or pits.
If your garbage disposal does stop working, the key is to diagnose the symptom, fix the problem, and you’ll have your garbage disposal running again before the plumber could return your phone call.