Garbage Disposal Jammed? What to Do First
Need help? See our Garbage Disposal Repair in the South Bay service page.
A garbage disposal that hums, clicks, or does nothing at all is usually jammed, not dead. Something hard is wedged between the grinding plate and the wall, or the motor overheated and tripped its own reset. Work through these steps in order, and never put your hand inside the disposal.
1. Never put your hand in the disposal
This is the one rule that matters. Even with the switch off, the grinding plate can move. Use tongs or pliers to fish anything out, and use the hex key method below for a jam.
2. Check the reset button
Look under the sink at the bottom of the disposal unit. There is a small red or black reset button. Press it once, firmly. If the disposal overheated, this resets the motor. Turn on cold water, then flip the switch. If it runs, you are done.
3. Turn the motor manually
If the reset button does not fix it, or if the disposal just hums, the flywheel is stuck. Most disposals have a hex socket in the center of the bottom. Insert a 1/4-inch Allen wrench and work it back and forth until it turns freely. This breaks the jam loose. Remove the wrench, press the reset button, run cold water, and flip the switch.
4. Check for the object that caused it
Once it runs again, shine a flashlight down the drain (switch off) and look for what jammed it: a bottle cap, a piece of silverware, a bone fragment, a twist tie. Pull it out with tongs. If the same object is still in there, it will jam again.
5. What to do if it leaks or smells after
A disposal that runs but leaks from the bottom seal is a different problem, and it usually means the unit itself is failing. A bad smell that survives a good flush of cold water and a tray of ice cubes is usually trapped food in the splash guard or drain baffle, which a cleaning can fix. If water is leaking under the sink, put a bucket under it and call a plumber rather than running it.
6. What never to put down a disposal
Grease and oil, coffee grounds, pasta, rice, and other starchy foods that swell, potato peels, onion skins, celery and other fibrous vegetables, bones, shells, and anything non-food. Cold water while it runs, and keep it running for a few seconds after the food is gone.
When to call a plumber
Call if the disposal is dead after the reset and the manual turn, if it leaks from the bottom, if it trips the breaker every time it runs, or if the sink is backing up into the other basin. South Bay Plumbing Pros is available 24/7 across San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View, Campbell, Los Gatos, Menlo Park, and Santa Clara. Call (669) 308-4516 any time, day or night.
FAQ
Why does my disposal hum but not grind?
The motor is getting power but the flywheel is stuck, usually on something hard. The hex key method in step 3 frees it in most cases.
Is it safe to use a plunger on a disposal?
No. A plunger can push the jam tighter or force water into the dishwasher connection. Use the manual turn instead.
How long should a garbage disposal last?
Most last 8 to 12 years. If yours is past that and keeps jamming or leaking, replacement is usually the better call than another repair.
Can I run the dishwasher while the disposal is jammed?
Avoid it. The dishwasher drains through the disposal in most kitchens, so a jam can push dirty water back into the dishwasher or the sink.
