How to reset your garbage disposal when it’s locked up

When your garbage disposal locks up, it can be frustrating, but it’s usually an easy fix. Whether it’s jammed or overloaded, resetting your garbage disposal can get it back to grinding in no time. With a few simple steps and basic tools, you can safely restore your disposal to working order. Let’s walk through what to do when your garbage disposal is locked up and how to reset it like a pro.

Note: The information provided in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes, and part replacements. We recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model for the most accurate guidance.

Signs to look for

Before resetting your garbage disposal, it’s important to confirm that it’s locked up. Here are the common signs:

• The disposal doesn’t turn on: When you flip the switch, nothing happens, or it makes a faint clicking noise.
• A humming sound without grinding: This means the motor is trying to work, but the blades are stuck.
• Water backing up into the sink: If water isn’t draining properly, a jam in the disposal might be causing the issue.
• The reset button is popped out: This is a safety mechanism that trips when the disposal is overloaded or jammed.

Read more: How To Quickly And Easily Unclog Your Kitchen Double Sink With A Garbage Disposal

Safety

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are a few practical tips to help you stay safe:

• Turn off the power to the appliance by unplugging it or switching off the circuit breaker before starting any maintenance or repairs. This protects you from the risk of electric shock.
• Wear insulated gloves to shield your hands from sharp edges, pinching hazards, or debris.
• Work at a steady pace and take your time to avoid accidents or injuries.
• Make sure your workspace is well-lit so you can clearly see and access the parts you’re working on.
• Keep the area clear of clutter, and ensure children and pets stay out of the workspace.
• Never handle internal parts with wet hands. Check that both your hands and the work area are completely dry.
• Refer to your appliance’s user manual for any specific instructions or safety guidelines related to the part or repair.
• Handle parts gently to avoid damage to the appliance or potential injuries from applying too much force.
• Use safety glasses when dealing with chemicals, dust, or large debris to protect your eyes from harm.
• If the appliance was recently used, give it enough time to cool down before working on any heated components.
• Take photos or notes of wiring connections and terminals before disconnecting anything to make reassembly easier.
• Avoid touching exposed wires or terminals. If you must handle wires, use non-conductive tools or wear insulated gloves to minimize the risk of electrical shock.

Check for visible blockages inside the disposal

A common reason for a locked-up garbage disposal is something stuck in the grinding chamber. Here’s how to check for and remove blockages safely:

1. Look inside the unit through the sink drain to spot any objects or debris. Common culprits include food scraps, utensils, or small foreign items.
2. Use tongs or pliers to carefully extract anything that’s stuck.
3. Avoid putting your hands inside the disposal to prevent injury, even when it’s turned off.
4. Rotate the flashlight to inspect all areas of the disposal. Leftover food particles or small bits can also contribute to the jam.

Clearing visible blockages often solves the problem. Once this is done, you can take the next step to ensure the blades are free.

Use an Allen wrench to free the jammed blades

If your garbage disposal is still locked up after removing visible blockages, the blades might be jammed. You can manually free them using an Allen wrench. Here’s how:

1. Look underneath the garbage disposal unit. Most models have a hex-shaped hole at the center of the base.
2. Use the wrench that likely came with your disposal or any appropriately sized Allen wrench. Insert it into the hex hole.
3. Rotate the wrench clockwise and counterclockwise a few times to manually loosen the blades and clear the jam. You should feel the blades start to move freely after a few turns.
4. After freeing the blades, check the inside of the disposal again for debris. Use tongs or pliers to remove anything that might have been knocked loose.

This step often resolves the issue by restoring the movement of the blades. Once the blades are free, the disposal is ready to be reset.

Read more: How to fix a burning smell in your garbage disposal

Press the reset button

Once the blades are free and any blockages are cleared, the next step is to reset the garbage disposal. The reset button is a built-in safety feature that trips when the disposal is overloaded or jammed. Here’s how to reset it:

1. Find the small red button on the bottom or side of the garbage disposal unit.
2. Push the reset button until you feel it click into place. This restores the disposal to its default operating condition.
3. If the button pops back out immediately, there might still be a blockage or another issue preventing the disposal from operating. In this case, repeat the steps to ensure the jam is fully cleared.
4. Wait a moment before proceeding:
5. Allow the unit a few seconds to reset fully before restoring power.
6. Plug the garbage disposal back into the outlet under the sink, or switch the circuit breaker back on if the unit is hardwired.
7. Turn on the cold water at the sink. Let it flow steadily into the disposal to ensure proper flushing during the test.

If it still hums or doesn’t operate correctly, turn off the power and repeat the earlier steps to ensure there are no remaining blockages or jams.

Read more: How to prep your garbage disposal for Thanksgiving and other holiday events

More info

When you need replacement parts, be sure to visit AppliancePartsPros.com with your model number. With millions of parts available, most ship fast and arrive in just two business days. For assistance, call our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While waiting for your part, check out our DIY blog and our YouTube channel, where you’ll find thousands of helpful repair videos.

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