Garbage Disposal Not Working? Reset, Power and Jam Fixes
Most disposals that “die” are just tripped or jammed, and the fix takes ten minutes with no parts. The checks below are in the order InSinkErator, Moen, Whirlpool and Waste King suggest. If yours hums, start at step 4.
Garbage disposal not working: match what you see
| What you notice | Most likely cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Completely silent when switched on | Overload tripped, breaker or GFCI off, unplugged | Reset button, breaker |
| Hums but doesn’t spin | Jammed turntable | Free the jam |
| Runs, then stops after a few seconds | Motor overheating and tripping the reset | Let it cool, check for a jam |
| Breaker trips as soon as you switch it on | Electrical fault in the disposal or wiring | Stop and call a pro |
| Reset button won’t stay in | Still hot, or still jammed | Wait ten minutes |
| Dishwasher won’t drain after a new disposal | Knockout plug still in the inlet | Dishwasher inlet |
What to check under the sink
- Wall switch, then the breaker or GFCI outlet.
- Outlet: is it plugged in? Test the outlet with a lamp. Some disposals are hard-wired instead.
- Red reset button on the bottom of the disposal.
- Hex key socket in the center of the bottom: frees a jam (power off).
- Dishwasher inlet: a new disposal has a knockout plug here.
⚠️ Never put your hand in the disposal
Turn the wall switch off and unplug the disposal (or switch off its breaker) before you reach under the sink or into the drain. Moen: “CAUTION: Never place your hand in the disposal.” Use tongs or pliers to remove objects. If the breaker trips again the moment you switch the disposal on, stop: that’s an electrical fault for an electrician or plumber, not a reset problem. Don’t open the electrical cover plate on a hard-wired disposal.
1. Press the reset button
Disposals have an overload protector that cuts power when the motor overheats or jams. InSinkErator: “The overload protector is located under the sink, on the bottom of the garbage disposal, facing the floor.” “It is a red square button.” When it trips, “you will see the red button dropped down about a quarter of an inch (5mm).”
- Turn the disposal switch off.
- “Gently press the red button. If it does not stay up, wait ten minutes and try again.”
- Run cold water and switch the disposal on.
On Moen disposals the red button is “located on opposite side of the power cord,” and Moen says a screwdriver may be needed to press it. Some InSinkErator EZ Connect models have no button: InSinkErator says to switch off and “allow disposer to cool for a period of up to 20 minutes before turning back on.”
2. Check the breaker and GFCI
InSinkErator: “To be certain, switch the breaker off then on, or replace the fuse.” A breaker in the middle position has tripped; push it fully off, then on. Many kitchens have a GFCI outlet (with Test and Reset buttons) that can cut power to the disposal outlet, sometimes from another spot on the counter. Press Reset on any GFCI in the kitchen.
3. Test the outlet and the switch
For a plug-in disposal, InSinkErator’s test: “unplug the garbage disposal and plug something else into the outlet,” such as a lamp or radio, turned on. “Flip the garbage disposal’s switch on and off several times.” If the lamp turns on and off with the switch, the power is fine and “your garbage disposal requires service.” If it doesn’t, “contact an electrician for assistance with your outlet.” For a hard-wired disposal, InSinkErator says the problem “may be in the garbage disposal, or in the electrical system”; an electrician can check the switch and wiring safely.
4. If it hums: free the jam
Humming means the motor is getting power but the turntable can’t turn. With the power off at the switch and the breaker or plug:
- Find the hole in the bottom of the disposal. InSinkErator: “The hole is located under the sink at the bottom of the garbage disposal, dead center, facing the floor.”
- Insert the wrench that came with it, or “a standard 1/4-inch Allen wrench.”
- “Work the wrench back and forth in both directions” until it turns freely in full circles.
- Shine a flashlight into the drain. “If you see anything in the garbage disposal, remove it using tongs or pliers.”
- Press the reset button, run cold water and switch it on.
Moen’s unjam guide and Waste King’s anti-jam tool work from above instead: with the power off, the wrench goes down through the sink opening onto the turntable. Moen says to turn it “at least two full revolutions” to make sure it has released. Check your manual for which method your model uses.
By brand: InSinkErator, Badger, Moen and others
The checks above work on any disposal, but where the reset button is and how you free a jam differ by brand.
InSinkErator
- Reset button: “a small square red button” on the bottom, facing the floor. It drops down about a quarter inch when tripped.
- Jam: InSinkErator says every unit ships with a small crank-shaped wrench; a standard 1/4-inch Allen wrench works too, in the hole “dead center” on the bottom. “It is OK to use some force. The wrench is designed to bend before any damage is done.”
- EZ Connect models have an automatic overload instead of a button: switch off (unplug air-switch models) and wait up to 20 minutes.
- Builder Series, Amana and ES units have no bottom socket: InSinkErator says to turn the turntable from above “with a wooden spoon,” with the power off.
- Help: InSinkErator offers text support at 262-233-2231 and handles warranty service.
Badger
Badger is InSinkErator’s Badger Series, so the InSinkErator steps apply. See our Badger garbage disposal not working guide for the models and warranty.
Moen
- Reset button: red, “located on opposite side of the power cord.” Moen says a screwdriver may be needed to press it.
- Jam: Moen’s method works from above. With the power off, lay the un-jamming wrench (Moen part #1037) flat on the turntable with its ends against the two swivel impellers and turn it until the turntable rotates freely for “at least two full revolutions.”
- How it switches on: check the activation method. Moen notes that batch-feed models start from the stopper, and air-switch models need the tube from the sink-top button connected and undamaged.
- Help: Moen’s support line is 1-800-BUY-MOEN.
Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Waste King and others
Most disposals have a red reset button low on the unit and either a bottom hex socket or a top anti-jam wrench. If you can’t see a socket underneath, check the manual before you start: the method that frees one brand can be the wrong one for another.
Dishwasher won’t drain after a new disposal?
New disposals have a plastic knockout plug in the dishwasher inlet. Whirlpool: “If the dishwasher is connected to a garbage disposer, be sure the knockout plug has been removed from the disposer inlet.” Whirlpool’s check: push a pencil into the inlet; if it goes in about 3 inches, the plug is gone. Knocking it out means disconnecting the hose, so most people have the installer or a plumber do it. See our dishwasher not draining guide.
What not to put in a disposal
- Grease: InSinkErator says to “never” put fats, oils or grease in a disposal: they “collect inside the plumbing pipes.”
- Hard items: Moen’s manual lists clam or oyster shells, glass, china, plastic and metal such as bottle caps.
- Drain cleaners: Moen’s manual says not to put caustic drain cleaner in a disposal.
- Coffee grounds and eggshells are fine in moderation, InSinkErator says, with “a strong flow of cold water.” Avoid “filling the disposal with too much food waste at one time.”
Repair or replace?
HomeAdvisor says replacement often makes sense for units near the end of their “five- to 10-year lifespan.” Fixr puts the average at 10 to 12 years. If a disposal that age leaks from the body, trips the reset every few uses, or hums with no jam, replacing it is often the better spend.
What disposal repairs usually cost
| Job | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Disposal replacement, installed | $200 to $625 (average $550) | HomeAdvisor (June 2026) |
| Fixing a jammed disposal | $75 to $150 | Fixr (Aug 2022) |
| Disposal that won’t turn on | $50 to $400 | Fixr (Aug 2022) |
| Leak repair | $75 to $175 | Fixr (Aug 2022) |
When to call a professional
Call an electrician if the outlet or switch has no power, or the breaker trips as soon as the disposal starts. Call a plumber or disposal pro if the outlet works but the disposal stays silent after a reset, if it hums with no jam, or if it leaks from the body. Print the checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my garbage disposal not turning on?
Usually the overload has tripped (press the red reset button on the bottom), the breaker or GFCI is off, or it’s unplugged. If the outlet has power and reset doesn’t help, the disposal needs service.
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
On the bottom of the unit, facing the floor, on most InSinkErator models; on Moen it’s on the side opposite the power cord. It’s a small red button.
Why does my disposal hum but not work?
It’s jammed. Turn the power off, free it with a 1/4-inch hex key in the bottom socket (or the anti-jam wrench from above), remove the object with tongs, then reset.
What if the reset button won’t stay in?
The motor is still hot. InSinkErator says to wait ten minutes and try again. If it still won’t stay in, check for a jam.
Can a bad switch stop a garbage disposal?
Yes. InSinkErator’s lamp test shows it: if a lamp in the disposal outlet doesn’t switch on and off with the switch, the switch or wiring is the problem. That’s an electrician’s job.
Sources: InSinkErator: resetting a disposal · InSinkErator: won’t turn on · InSinkErator: fixing a jam · InSinkErator: what not to put in · Moen: unjam a disposal · Moen: disposal has no power · InSinkErator: how to reset a disposal · Moen disposal manual · Whirlpool: dishwasher not draining after install · HomeAdvisor: disposal replacement cost · Fixr: disposal repair cost.
Updated October 28, 2026. Written and edited by Jordan Hale. Steps checked against InSinkErator, Moen and Whirlpool support pages; no hands-on test is claimed. Disposal designs vary, so follow your owner’s manual.
