If your garbage disposal won’t work, start with the red reset button on the bottom of the unit — it fixes the majority of “dead” disposals in under a minute. If that doesn’t do it, the cause is almost always a tripped breaker, a jam, or a failed motor, and you can check all three yourself before calling a plumber.
By Jared, Owner / Operator and Lead Service Plumber — Flow Pros Plumbing
- FL #CFC1433820
- Owner-Operated Since 2020
- Serving St. Petersburg & Tampa Bay
- Updated June 17, 2026
Why Your Garbage Disposal Stopped Working
A garbage disposal that won’t work almost always falls into one of three categories, and the sound it makes tells you which one. A disposal that’s completely silent has lost power — a tripped reset button or breaker. A disposal that hums but doesn’t spin has a jam stopping the impeller. A disposal that’s dead even after a reset and has power usually has a failed motor. Knowing which bucket you’re in saves you from random troubleshooting.
| What it’s doing | Most likely cause | First thing to try |
|---|---|---|
| Totally silent, no hum | Tripped reset button or breaker; loose plug | Press the red reset button, then check the breaker |
| Humming but not spinning | Something is jamming the impeller plate | Cut power, then free the jam with the hex wrench |
| Runs but won’t drain | Clog in the disposal trap or drain line | Clear the trap; may need professional drain cleaning |
| Leaking from the bottom | Failed internal seal — the unit is at end of life | Plan a replacement; bottom leaks aren’t repairable |
| Dead after reset, has power | Burned-out motor | Replace the disposal |
6 Steps to Fix a Garbage Disposal That Won’t Turn On
Work through these in order — most people are back up and running by step three. Safety first: never put your hand down the disposal, and switch it off before reaching anywhere near the chamber.
- Press the reset button. Look underneath the unit for a small red (sometimes black) button. If it’s popped out, press it firmly back in and test the switch. This alone fixes most no-power disposals.
- Check the power. Make sure the unit is plugged in, then check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker and reset it. If your disposal shares a switch with an outlet, test that the switch itself works.
- Listen for a hum. Flip the switch for a second. A hum with no spinning means a jam, not a power problem — move to step 4. Silence means stay on the power side (steps 1–2).
- Free the jam from below. Turn the disposal OFF at the wall and breaker. Insert the 1/4-inch hex (Allen) wrench that came with the unit into the center hole on the bottom and work it back and forth until it turns a full circle. This frees the impeller.
- Free the jam from above. With power still off, use a flashlight to spot any object in the chamber and remove it with pliers or tongs — never your fingers. Spin the plate by hand to confirm it moves freely.
- Reset and test. Restore power, press the reset button again, run cold water, and flip the switch. If it spins, you’re done. If it hums or stays dead, stop here — repeated resets on a failed motor can damage it.
Humming but Not Spinning? How to Clear a Jam
A humming disposal is getting power but the motor can’t turn the impeller, which means something is wedged against the plate. The hex wrench in the center hole on the bottom of the unit is the fastest fix: turn it through a full rotation in both directions to break the obstruction loose. If you don’t have the original wrench, a 1/4-inch Allen key fits most InSinkErator and Waste King units. Leaving a disposal humming for more than a few seconds can burn out the motor, so cut the power if it won’t clear quickly. Manufacturer reset and jam guidance is available from InSinkErator support.
When to Call a Plumber
Call a professional when the disposal leaks from the bottom (a failed seal means replacement), when it stays dead after a reset and you’ve confirmed it has power, when it trips the breaker every time you run it, or when it drains slowly even after clearing the chamber — that points to a clog deeper in the drain line. If you’re in St. Petersburg or Tampa Bay, Flow Pros can repair or replace a disposal same-day — see our garbage disposal repair and replacement service, or our St. Petersburg plumbing page for local help.
Garbage Disposal FAQs
Why did my garbage disposal suddenly stop working?
The most common reason is a tripped reset button or breaker, which cuts power and makes the unit go completely silent. The second most common is a jam, which makes it hum without spinning. Press the red reset button first, then check your breaker.
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
It’s a small red or black button on the bottom of the disposal, usually in the center. If it has popped out, press it firmly back in and test the unit. You’ll often need a flashlight to see it under the sink.
Can I fix a garbage disposal myself?
Yes, for the most common problems. Resetting the button, checking the breaker, and freeing a jam with the hex wrench are safe DIY fixes as long as you keep the power off and never reach into the chamber by hand. Bottom leaks and burned-out motors need a plumber.
Why does my garbage disposal hum but not turn?
It’s getting power but something is jamming the impeller. Turn it off, insert the 1/4-inch hex wrench into the bottom center hole, and work it back and forth until it spins freely, then reset and test.
Is it worth repairing a garbage disposal or should I replace it?
Resets, jams, and clogs are worth fixing. But if the unit leaks from the bottom or the motor is burned out, replacement is the better value — repairing internal seals or motors usually costs more than a new disposal.
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