Garbage Disposal Not Working? How to Reset and Fix It in 5 Steps
By Mike Holt, NJ Master Plumber · November 1, 2026 · 4 min read · Updated November 1, 2026
Quick answer
Many dead or humming disposals are jammed or have tripped their overload. Disconnect the power before you investigate a jam, and never put your hand in the disposal. With the power off, turn a hex key in the socket on the bottom of the unit and press the red reset button. If it stays silent, look at the breaker status and call us.
- Difficulty
- Simple checks with the power disconnected
- Time
- 10 to 20 minutes
- You need
- Hex key (usually 1/4 inch, often the one that came with the disposal), flashlight, kitchen tongs
Rather not risk it? A licensed plumber can handle this for you, with written upfront flat-rate pricing options before any work starts.
Water leaking under the sink? Switch the disposal off, unplug it if you can reach the plug from a dry spot, and put a bucket under the drip. Don't run the dishwasher until it's fixed. 908-873-6686
When a garbage disposal stops, it's often a jam, a tripped reset button or no power. None of these means reaching into the disposal. Disconnect the power before you investigate a jam, then work through these steps in order.
How to fix a garbage disposal that isn't working
Step 1: Disconnect the power
Switch the disposal off at the wall. If it plugs into an outlet under the sink, unplug it too, as long as the cabinet is dry. If it's hard-wired, switch off its breaker. Investigate a jam only with the power disconnected. Never put your hand into the disposal, even with the power off.
Step 2: Free the jam with a hex key
Shine a flashlight into the drain. If you see something stuck, like a bottle cap, bone or fruit pit, pull it out with tongs. Then find the hex socket in the center of the bottom of the unit. Fit the hex key and work it back and forth until it turns a full circle freely. That frees the grinding plate.
Step 3: Press the reset button
Press the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal until it clicks and stays in. If it won't stay in, the motor is still hot. Wait 10 minutes and press it again.
Step 4: Look at the breaker
If the disposal is silent, not even a hum, look at the breaker panel for a tripped breaker labeled for the kitchen or disposal. A breaker trips for a reason, so if it has tripped, or the disposal still gets no power, stop here and call us.
Step 5: Test with cold water
Plug the disposal back in, run a steady stream of cold water and switch it on. Let it run for 15 seconds with the water going. If it spins and drains, you're done. If it hums again, repeat step 2. If it trips again right away or stays silent, call us.
Humming, silent or leaking: what it means
| What you notice | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hums but doesn't spin | Something is wedged in the grinding plate | Disconnect power, free it with a hex key, reset |
| Completely silent | Tripped reset, breaker or bad switch | Press reset, look at the breaker, then call |
| Runs, but the sink won't drain | Clog in the drain line past the disposal | See our kitchen sink guide |
| Leaks at the top or side pipe | Loose mount or drain connection | Call us |
| Leaks from the bottom of the unit | Worn internal seal or cracked housing | Replace the disposal |
| Grinds loudly or rattles | Something metal inside, or worn parts | Disconnect power and look with a flashlight; no hands inside |
What not to do
- Don't put your hand in the disposal, even with the power off. Use tongs.
- Don't keep pressing the switch while it hums. The motor overheats and trips again.
- Don't pour chemical drain cleaner into it.
- Don't use hot water when grinding greasy food. Grease melts, then hardens farther down the pipe.
Repair or replace?
Jams, a tripped reset and loose connections are quick fixes. A disposal that leaks from its body, trips every time or has a burned-out motor needs replacing. Many disposals last somewhere around 8 to 15 years, but it varies with the model and how hard they're used. When we replace one, we mount it securely, seal the drain, connect the dishwasher and run water to check every connection. See garbage disposal repair and installation.
How to keep your disposal running
- Run cold water before, during and for a few seconds after grinding.
- Feed food in a little at a time instead of all at once.
- Keep out grease, bones, fruit pits, coffee grounds, eggshells, pasta, rice and stringy scraps like celery and corn husks.
- Clean it now and then; our guide to cleaning a garbage disposal shows how.
- The dishwasher drains through the disposal, so a clogged disposal can back up the dishwasher too. See dishwasher not draining.
Plumbing Doctor is a veteran-owned NJ Master Plumber in Somerset, serving Central New Jersey. If your disposal still won't run, call 908-873-6686.
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Stop and call us if
- Water leaks from the body of the disposal itself, not a pipe connection.
- The reset button keeps tripping every time you run it.
- You smell burning or see smoke.
- The sink and the dishwasher both back up.
- It still won't run after a reset, or the breaker has tripped.
Call 908-873-6686.
Michael Holt
Owner and operator of Plumbing Doctor, NJ Master Plumber (Lic. #36BI01345600) and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
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