The reset button on a garbage disposal is a small red or black button on the bottom of the unit. It’s an overload protector. When the motor jams, overheats, or draws too much power, the button pops out and shuts the disposal off. Pressing it back in restores power. Most of the time, that’s all you need to get a dead disposal working again.
## What Does the Reset Button on a Garbage Disposal Do?
The reset button is a built-in thermal and overcurrent switch. When something forces the motor to work harder than it should (a stuck chicken bone, a wad of potato peels, a fork that slipped in), the motor overheats or draws excessive current. The overload protector trips, cutting power before the motor burns out.
Think of it like a circuit breaker for the disposal itself. Once the motor cools down and you clear whatever caused the jam, pressing the button reconnects power.
## Where Is the Reset Button on a Garbage Disposal?
Look at the very bottom of the disposal unit, under the sink. On most brands (InSinkErator, GE, Waste King, Whirlpool, Moen), the reset button is centered on the flat bottom plate or slightly offset toward one side. It’s small, roughly the size of a pencil eraser, and usually red, though some models use a black button.
You may need a flashlight. The underside of a garbage disposal collects grime, and the button can blend in.
If the button is popped out, it will stick out about a quarter inch from the housing. That’s how you know it has tripped.
## How to Reset a Garbage Disposal (Step by Step)
1. **Turn off the wall switch** that controls the disposal. If there’s no switch, unplug the unit from the outlet under the sink. If it’s hardwired, flip the breaker.
2. **Wait 3-5 minutes.** The motor needs time to cool before the reset will hold.
3. **Check for obstructions.** Never put your hand inside the disposal. Use a flashlight to look down the drain for anything stuck: silverware, bones, fibrous food. If you spot something, use tongs or pliers to pull it out.
4. **Press the reset button firmly** until it clicks and stays flush with the housing.
5. **Turn the power back on** and run cold water before flipping the disposal switch.
If the disposal hums but doesn’t spin after reset, the flywheel is probably still jammed. That calls for the allen wrench method.
### What If the Disposal Is Jammed? (Allen Wrench Method)
Most garbage disposals have a hex socket on the bottom center, right next to or near the reset button. This socket accepts a 1/4-inch allen wrench (many disposals include one; any standard 1/4″ SAE hex key works).
1. Insert the allen wrench into the hex socket on the bottom of the disposal.
2. Turn it back and forth several times to manually rotate the flywheel and free whatever is stuck.
3. Remove the wrench, press reset again, run cold water, and test.
If you don’t have an allen wrench, you can try using a wooden broom handle inserted from the top. Push it against the impeller blades and rock them back and forth. This takes more effort but works in a pinch.
For a more detailed walkthrough, see our guide to unjamming a garbage disposal.
## What Does It Mean When the Reset Button Won’t Stay In?
If you press the reset button and it immediately pops back out, the motor hasn’t cooled down yet. Wait another 5-10 minutes and try again.
If it still won’t hold after 15-20 minutes:
– **The jam hasn’t been cleared.** The motor tries to spin, hits the obstruction, and trips the overload again instantly. Go back to the allen wrench step.
– **The motor winding is damaged.** On older units (8+ years), a motor that keeps tripping its overload even with no jam may have a failing winding. At that point, replacement usually makes more sense than repair.
– **There’s an electrical issue.** A faulty outlet, tripped GFCI, or wiring problem can cause symptoms that look like a disposal problem. Check whether the outlet has power by plugging in something else.
## Reset Button Pressed but Disposal Still Won’t Work — Now What?
Run through this quick checklist:
– **No sound at all when you flip the switch:** Check the breaker panel. Check whether the outlet works. If the disposal is plugged into a GFCI outlet (common under kitchen sinks), press the GFCI reset button on the outlet itself — that’s a separate reset from the disposal.
– **Disposal hums but won’t spin:** The flywheel is jammed. Use the allen wrench method above.
– **Disposal runs but doesn’t grind well:** The impeller blades may be worn. On disposals older than 8-10 years, worn impellers mean it’s time for a replacement.
– **Disposal leaks from the bottom after resetting:** A bottom leak usually means the internal seal has failed. That’s a separate problem from a tripped reset, and it typically means the unit needs to be replaced.
If none of these steps solve the problem, there may be a deeper electrical or mechanical issue. See our list of common garbage disposal problems for other possibilities, or call a plumber for diagnosis.
## When Should You Replace a Garbage Disposal Instead of Resetting It?
Resetting works when the overload trips from a one-time jam or overheating event. But frequent resets, more than once a month, signal a disposal that’s wearing out.
Other signs it’s time to replace rather than reset:
– The unit is 8-12 years old
– It takes longer to grind food than it used to
– You hear metal-on-metal grinding
– It leaks from the housing (not from connections)
– The reset button trips with no jam present
A new garbage disposal typically costs $150-$400 installed, depending on the horsepower and brand. A plumber can install one in about an hour. For tips on getting more life from your current unit, see our guide on how to extend your disposal’s lifespan.
If your garbage disposal won’t reset, keeps tripping, or you’re not comfortable working under the sink, call Western Rooter & Plumbing at (626) 448-6455 or schedule service online through our website.
