How to Reset a Garbage Disposal
Updated February 20, 2026
Disposal stopped dead? Find the reset button, clear the overload, and get it running again in under 5 minutes.
Overview
Disposal suddenly dead -- no sound, no hum, nothing when you flip the switch? Most likely a tripped thermal overload. Every disposal has a reset button (small red or black button on the bottom) that pops out when the motor overheats or gets overloaded. It trips when you grind too much at once, the disposal jams and the motor stalls, or it runs too long. Resetting takes 30 seconds. Try this before assuming the disposal is broken. If the reset does not fix it, you are looking at a jam, a tripped breaker, or a dead motor.
What You'll Need
Safety First
- Never put your hand inside the disposal, even with the power off. Tongs, pliers, or a flashlight to inspect. The impellers are sharp enough to cut you even when they are not spinning.
- Wall switch off before you reach under the sink for the reset button. The button is on the outside of the unit, but make sure the disposal cannot accidentally activate while you are working near it.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Turn Off the Disposal and Wait
Wall switch off. If the disposal tripped from overheating, give it 5-10 minutes to cool down. The thermal overload needs to drop below its trip threshold before it will stay reset. Press it while the motor is still hot and it pops right back out.
Tip: Was it humming before it died? That means jammed, not just overloaded. Clear the jam first (see our unjamming guide), then reset. Resetting without clearing the jam trips the overload again immediately. -
Locate the Reset Button
Look at the bottom of the disposal under the sink. Small button (usually red, sometimes black), about pencil-eraser size, on the bottom center or side. Flashlight helps. If the overload tripped, the button will be popped out about 1/4 inch. If it is flush, the overload did not trip -- check the circuit breaker, wall switch, or electrical connection instead.
Tip: InSinkErator (most common brand): reset button is always bottom center. Waste King: usually lower side. Cannot find it? Owner's manual or search your model number online. -
Press the Reset Button Firmly
Press firmly until it clicks and stays flush. Pops back out immediately? Motor is still hot -- wait 5-10 more minutes. Keeps popping out after cooling? Likely a jam preventing the motor from turning. Clear the jam first (1/4-inch Allen wrench in the hex socket on the bottom), then try the reset again.
Tip: Button stays in but nothing happens when you flip the switch? Check the circuit breaker. Disposals are usually on a dedicated 15 or 20 amp circuit. Tripped breaker looks like a small issue but it is easy to miss. -
Test the Disposal
Cold water on, flip the switch. Should start up and run normally. Run cold water 15-20 seconds while it runs to flush food particles. Runs briefly then stops again? Partial jam or overload -- try less food or check for a jam. Running but rattling or grinding hard? Something that should not be in there (bone, utensil, glass) -- switch off, remove with tongs.
Tip: Always cold water, never hot. Cold solidifies grease so the disposal can chop it into pieces that flow through the drain. Hot water melts grease, which resolidifies further down the pipe and causes clogs.
Pro Tips
- Most repeated overloads come from stuffing the chamber and then hitting the switch. Feed food in gradually while running cold water.
- Fibrous foods (celery, asparagus, corn husks) and starchy foods (potato peels, pasta, rice) cause the most jams and overloads. Very small quantities or straight in the trash.
- Resetting more than once a month? The motor is likely weakening. Disposals last 8-12 years. Constant tripping under normal use means it is nearing end of life.
- Keep a flashlight near the sink. Being able to see into the chamber makes it easy to spot objects before they cause a jam.
When to Call a Pro
Resetting never needs a pro. But call a plumber or electrician if the disposal is completely dead after resetting (no hum, no sound -- wiring issue or dead motor), if the button will not stay in after multiple tries with no jam present, or if you smell burning (motor winding failure -- needs replacement).