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Garbage disposal not working?

You flip the switch and get a hum, or nothing at all, while the sink sits full of cloudy water. Most of the time this takes 15 minutes, and the tool you need may already be under the sink.

A hand turning a hex key in the bottom of a garbage disposal
Time15 minutesAbout a coffee break
Cost$0 to $8$8 only if you need the key
Can I do this?YesIf you've built flat-pack furniture, you've used the tool
MessA towel or twoA few drips under the sink
Checked against manufacturer instructionsRenter-safeNo power toolsUnder $10
Before anything else

Keep your hands out of the disposal, even when it's switched off. Use tongs. Every fix below starts with the power off.

What's it doing?

Flip the switch once and listen. The sound tells you which fix you need.

    Why it happens

    Every disposal jams eventually. It's usually something hard like a fruit pit, a bone or a bottle cap, or something stringy like celery or onion skin wrapped around the spinning plate. When the motor can't turn, a safety switch cuts the power so it doesn't burn out. Nothing is broken. It's protecting itself.

    Edie's tip

    Tape the hex key inside the cabinet door. You'll have it fixed before anyone notices.

    What not to do

    • Pour in drain cleaner

      It sits in the disposal, eats at the seals, and splashes back if you end up plunging.

    • Keep pressing reset

      If it's still jammed, it trips again straight away. Free the jam first, then reset once.

    • Run hot water with grease

      Grease melts, travels down the pipe and sets hard further along. Use cold water.

    • Reach in for a second

      Tongs, every time.

    What you're saving

    A plumber's visit$150+Often just the call-out fee
    Doing it yourself$0–8And about 15 minutes
    Call someone if

    You smell burning, the breaker trips again right after you reset it, water drips from the body of the disposal itself, or it's wired into the wall and you're not comfortable working at the breaker panel.

    Questions

    Where is the reset button?

    On the underside of the disposal. It's a small red or black button. If it sticks out, it has tripped. Press it until it clicks and stays in.

    I don't have the hex key.

    Most disposals take a standard 1/4 in Allen key, the same kind that comes with flat-pack furniture. Check your junk drawer first. A replacement costs a few dollars at any hardware store.

    Can I turn it from the top with a broom handle?

    Some people do. It can work, but the key from underneath is safer and gives you much more grip. Power off either way.

    When does it need replacing?

    If it leaks from the body, has rusted through, or stays silent after a reset with the power confirmed on. Most last around ten years. Swapping one is a reasonable weekend job, and a plumber can swap one in about an hour.

    Written by the DIY Project team and checked against disposal manufacturers' instructions. How we check

    Updated October 2, 2026. Added the “runs but won't drain” fix.

    See something wrong? Tell us.

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