A jammed garbage disposal usually just needs a quick reset or manual unjamming — not a replacement. Most jams are cleared in under five minutes with a simple Allen wrench.
STEP 1: Turn Off the Disposal and Power
Make sure the wall switch is off. For extra safety, unplug the unit under the sink or flip the breaker. Never put your hand inside a disposal — even when it seems off, a stuck impeller can release suddenly.
STEP 2: Use the Allen Wrench Port on the Bottom
With the groundwork laid, most disposals have a hex-shaped hole on the bottom of the unit. Insert the Allen wrench (usually 1/4 inch, often included with the disposal) and rotate it back and forth to manually free the stuck impeller. You will feel the resistance release when the jam clears.
STEP 3: Use a Disposal Wrench or Broom Handle From Above
With the basics covered, it is time to if there is no bottom port or the Allen wrench does not work, insert a wooden broom handle or a disposal wrench tool into the drain opening from above. Push against the impeller blades and rock them back and forth until they spin freely.
STEP 4: Remove the Obstruction
With the disposal still off, use tongs or pliers to reach in and remove the object causing the jam — common culprits are bones, fruit pits, silverware, and small plastic items. Never use your fingers.
STEP 5: Reset and Test
The finishing touch makes all the difference. press the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal — if it tripped, it will click when pressed. Turn on cold water, then flip the switch. The disposal should run freely. If it hums but does not spin, the jam is not fully cleared — repeat the unjamming steps.
PRO TIPS
Q: What do I do when my garbage disposal just hums?
A: Keep the Allen wrench that came with your disposal taped to the underside of the sink cabinet or hanging nearby on a hook. When a jam happens — and it will — you want the tool within arm’s reach, not lost in a toolbox.
Q: Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
A: If the disposal does not make any sound at all when you flip the switch — no hum, nothing — the reset button has tripped. Press it firmly on the bottom of the unit. If it still does not work, check the breaker.
Q: What foods should never go in a garbage disposal?
A: Prevent jams by always running cold water before, during, and for 15 seconds after using the disposal. Never put fibrous foods like celery, corn husks, or artichoke leaves into the disposal — they wrap around the impeller and cause most jams.
SUPPLIES NEEDED
1/4-inch Allen wrench (hex key)
Flashlight
Tongs or pliers
Wooden broom handle (backup unjamming tool)
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