How to Fix a Stuck Garbage Disposal in 5 Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my garbage disposal humming but not working?

A humming disposal means the motor is getting power but the impellers are stuck. Something is jammed between the impellers and the grinding ring. This is the most common disposal problem and is usually fixable in under 5 minutes.

Can I use my hand to fix a stuck garbage disposal?

Never put your hand inside a garbage disposal, even when it is off. Use the hex wrench from underneath, a wooden spoon handle, or pliers to free the jam and remove debris.

Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?

The reset button is on the bottom of the disposal unit under the sink. It is a small red or black button. If it has popped out, push it back in to restore power to the unit.

What should I not put in a garbage disposal?

Avoid bones thicker than chicken wing bones, fruit pits, corn husks, artichoke leaves, coffee grounds in large amounts, grease or cooking oil, pasta and rice in bulk, and fibrous vegetables like celery. These cause jams, clogs, or damage.

How do I know if my garbage disposal needs to be replaced?

Replace your disposal if it leaks from the bottom (seal failure), makes grinding metal-on-metal sounds (worn impellers), frequently trips the breaker, or is older than 12 years and jamming regularly.

Your garbage disposal is humming but not grinding. Or it’s completely dead — no sound at all when you flip the switch. Both problems are almost always fixable in under 5 minutes without calling a plumber.

This guide covers the two most common garbage disposal problems: jammed (humming but not spinning) and dead (no response at all). Together these account for about 90% of disposal service calls.

Problem 1: Disposal Hums But Won’t Spin (Jammed)

This is the most common issue. The motor is running but the impellers are stuck on something — a piece of bone, a fruit pit, a piece of glass, or a utensil that fell in.

What NOT to do: Never put your hand inside the disposal. Even when it’s off, the impellers are sharp enough to cut you.

Step 1: Turn It Off

Flip the wall switch to OFF. If there’s no wall switch, turn off the circuit breaker. The disposal’s motor is overheating while it’s humming and stuck — every second you leave it on shortens the motor’s life.

Step 2: Use the Hex Wrench From Below

Every garbage disposal has a hex socket on the bottom center. This is designed exactly for freeing jams.

1. Get under the sink and find the hex hole in the center bottom of the disposal.
2. Insert the wrench that came with the disposal — or any 1/4-inch Allen key (hex wrench).
3. Rotate it back and forth. You’ll feel resistance at first, then it will break free.
4. Keep rotating until it moves freely in both directions.

This works about 80% of the time. It’s the manufacturer’s intended fix.

Step 3: Remove the Obstruction

1. Shine a flashlight into the disposal from above.
2. Use long-handled pliers or tongs to pull out whatever caused the jam — bone fragments, a fruit pit, a piece of glass, a twist tie, etc.
3. Never use your fingers. Use a tool.

Step 4: Reset and Test

1. Find the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal. If it’s popped out, press it back in.
2. Run cold water into the disposal.
3. Flip the switch on.
4. The disposal should spin freely. Let it run for 15-20 seconds to clear any remaining debris.

If it still hums and won’t spin: Repeat steps 2-3. Sometimes the obstruction hasn’t fully cleared, or there are multiple items jammed.

If the hex wrench won’t turn at all: The jam is severe. Try using a wooden broom handle from above — insert it into the disposal and push against the impellers to rotate them manually. Apply firm pressure. If it still won’t budge, the disposal may need replacement.

Problem 2: Disposal Is Completely Dead (No Sound)

If nothing happens when you flip the switch — no hum, no vibration, nothing — the issue is electrical, not mechanical.

Step 1: Check the Reset Button

The reset button is the single most common fix for a dead disposal. It’s a built-in circuit breaker that trips when the motor overloads.

1. Get under the sink.
2. Find the small red (or black) button on the bottom of the unit.
3. If it’s popped out (you can feel it sticking out about 1/4 inch), press it firmly back in.
4. Try the switch again.

This fixes the problem about 60% of the time.

Step 2: Check the Circuit Breaker

If the reset button wasn’t tripped, check your home’s electrical panel.

1. Find the breaker labeled “disposal,” “kitchen,” or “dishwasher” (disposals often share a circuit with the dishwasher).
2. If it’s tripped (in the middle position), flip it fully OFF, then back ON.
3. Try the disposal again.

Step 3: Check the Wall Switch

Wall switches wear out. Test it:

1. Turn off the breaker.
2. Remove the switch cover plate and the two screws holding the switch.
3. Pull the switch out and check that the wires are securely connected.
4. If you have a multimeter, test for continuity when the switch is on.
5. Replace the switch ($3-5) if it’s faulty. This is the same process as replacing a light switch.

Step 4: Check the Power Cord

If the disposal plugs into an outlet under the sink (most do):

1. Check that the plug is fully seated in the outlet.
2. Test the outlet with a lamp or phone charger to verify it has power.
3. If the outlet is GFCI-protected, press the GFCI reset button.

If none of these steps work, the disposal motor has likely failed and the unit needs replacement ($100-300 installed).

Preventing Future Jams

The best fix is not needing one. These habits prevent 90% of jams:

Always run cold water before, during, and for 15 seconds after using the disposal. Cold water solidifies grease so it gets chopped up rather than coating the impellers.

Feed waste slowly. Don’t shove a plate’s worth of food in all at once. Feed it in gradually while running water.

Avoid these items entirely:

• Bones thicker than chicken wing bones
• Fruit pits (peach, avocado, cherry)
• Corn husks and artichoke leaves (fibrous, wrap around impellers)
• Coffee grounds in large amounts (build up like sedite)
• Grease and cooking oil (coat and gum up everything)
• Pasta and rice in bulk (expand with water and clog drains)
• Eggshells in large amounts (the membrane can wrap around impellers)
• Any non-food items

Monthly cleaning: Drop a few ice cubes and a tablespoon of coarse salt into the running disposal. The ice sharpens the impellers and knocks off buildup. Follow with half a lemon for freshness.

When to Replace Instead of Repair

Replace the disposal if:

• It leaks from the bottom. This means the internal seal has failed. Not worth repairing — replacement is cheaper.
• Metal-on-metal grinding sound. The impellers or grinding ring are worn. The disposal will jam constantly.
• Frequent breaker trips. The motor is drawing too much current — a sign of internal failure.
• Age 10-15 years. Disposals last 8-15 years. If yours is frequently jamming and is older than 10 years, replacing it is more cost-effective than repeated repairs.

Replacement cost: $100-200 for the unit + $100-200 for installation. A quality 1/2 HP disposal handles most households. Upgrade to 3/4 HP if you cook frequently and generate a lot of food waste.

DIY replacement difficulty: Moderate. If the mounting ring from the old unit matches the new one (most InSinkErator units are compatible), the swap takes 30-60 minutes. If you need to change the mounting hardware, add another 30 minutes.

For more kitchen plumbing fixes, see our guide on how to fix a garbage disposal that covers additional troubleshooting and our guide on unclogging drains without chemicals.

Related Reading

• How to Fix a Garbage Disposal — broader troubleshooting for any disposal issue
• How to Unclog a Toilet — related bathroom plumbing fix
• How to Unclog a Drain Without Chemicals — related sink drain issues
• How to Reset a Tripped Circuit Breaker — electrical panel basics for troubleshooting
• How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet — related kitchen plumbing DIY