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Garbage disposal not working? Safe fixes and what not to put in it
Most disposal problems are a tripped reset button or a jam – both fixable in minutes, safely, with the power off. Here is how, and what to keep out of it.
The short answer
Never put your hand inside. If it does nothing, check the breaker, then let it cool and press the red reset button on the bottom. If it hums, it is jammed: switch off the power at the breaker, then turn the jam wrench in the hole on the bottom. Always run cold water while grinding.
Safety first
InSinkErator’s manual is clear: never put your fingers or hands into a garbage disposal, and turn off power at the fuse box or circuit breaker before servicing it. If you see something inside, remove it with tongs or pliers.
It does nothing at all
- Check the circuit breaker or fuse, InSinkErator advises.
- Find the reset – a small square red button on the bottom of the unit under the sink.
- After the disposal stops, let it cool 3 to 5 minutes, then press the reset button, per InSinkErator’s operating instructions.
- If it still will not run, or trips again right away, the motor or switch may have failed.
It hums but will not grind (jammed)
With the power off, insert the jam wrench (an Allen key) into the hole in the center of the bottom of the disposal and work it back and forth to free the grinding plate, as InSinkErator describes. Remove the object with tongs, press the reset, restore power and test with cold water running.
What not to put in a disposal
- Fats, oil and grease – they harden in the sewer and cause blockages (City of Gainesville, Texas).
- Hard or fibrous items – seeds, corn cobs, bones, eggshells and flower stems (Gainesville; Arlington County, Virginia).
- Not food at all – shells, glass, china, plastic, metal, drain cleaners or hot grease (InSinkErator’s manual), and paint, medicine, motor oil, pesticides or solvents (Gainesville).
Cold water, always
Turn on cold water before starting the disposal and keep it running a few seconds after grinding to flush the drain line, InSinkErator says. Cold water keeps any fat solid as it passes through, so it is less likely to coat the pipes.
On a septic system?
EPA SepticSmart notes that using a garbage disposal with a septic system means the tank will need pumping more often. See our septic guide.
When to call a plumber
- Water leaks from the disposal body – usually means replacement.
- The sink drains slowly even when the disposal runs – the clog is further down; see clogged drain.
- It trips the reset repeatedly, or you smell burning.
- Wiring work, or installing a new unit.
Find a plumber near you
Local plumbers by metro area, listed A to Z with phone numbers, services and emergency options.
Questions
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
Usually a small red button on the bottom of the unit under the sink. Let the disposal cool a few minutes, then press it.
Why does my garbage disposal hum but not work?
It is probably jammed. Turn off the power at the breaker, then use the jam wrench in the hole on the bottom to free it. Never reach inside with your hand.
Should I use hot or cold water with a garbage disposal?
Cold. InSinkErator recommends cold water because it keeps fat solid so it moves through the pipes instead of coating them.
Can eggshells go in a garbage disposal?
City utilities such as Gainesville, Texas and Arlington County, Virginia list eggshells among items to keep out, along with bones, seeds, corn cobs and flower stems.
Related guides
Sources
Facts and figures in this guide come from these official and manufacturer sources, checked October 2026:
- InSinkErator – Installation, care and use manual (PDF)
- InSinkErator – Fixing a jammed garbage disposal
- InSinkErator – Disposer operating instructions (PDF)
- InSinkErator – Disposal won't turn on or off
- InSinkErator – Using cold water with a disposal
- City of Gainesville, TX – Garbage disposal do's and don'ts
- Arlington County, VA – Garbage disposal tips
- EPA SepticSmart – How to care for your septic system
Updated October 2026 by the Plumbers Pages editorial team. General information for homeowners, not professional advice – codes and equipment differ, so follow your product’s manual and local rules. When gas, electricity, sewage or anyone’s safety is involved, call 911, your utility or a licensed plumber. How we write our guides · Plumbing glossary
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