Garbage Disposal Reset Button: Where It Is and What to Do When It Trips
The garbage disposal reset button is the small red overload button on the bottom of the unit. Switch the disposal off, let the motor cool, then press the button until it clicks and stays in.
Key Takeaways
- InSinkErator puts a red square overload button on the underside of its disposals, facing the floor, and a tripped one drops about 1/4 inch (5 mm).
- If the button will not stay in, InSinkErator says wait ten minutes and try again. EZ Connect models need up to 20 minutes off or unplugged.
- A hum with no spin is a jam. InSinkErator’s fix is a 1/4 inch Allen wrench in the bottom center socket, worked both ways until it turns full circles.
- If the button is fine and the unit is silent, InSinkErator says check the service panel for a tripped breaker or blown fuse.
- HomeAdvisor (June 2026) puts disposal life at five to 10 years and average replacement at $550, so a unit that trips every week near that age is due.
Where is the garbage disposal reset button?
The garbage disposal reset button sits on the bottom of the unit, facing the floor, on most standard models. InSinkErator’s reset guide describes it as a red square overload protector on the underside of the disposal. You will usually find it a short distance from the hex socket in the dead center of the bottom plate, so one flashlight check shows you both. That same hex socket doubles as your starting point for clearing a jammed plate when the unit hums but won’t spin, covered in fixing a humming garbage disposal.
The button tells you its state by height. InSinkErator says a tripped button drops down about a quarter of an inch (5 mm) compared with normal. If it sits flush with the housing, the overload has not tripped and the problem is upstream, at the switch, plug or breaker.
Waste King’s support FAQ also describes a reset button that reconnects the motor after the overload trips. For Moen units, go by the reset section of your model’s manual.
How do you reset a garbage disposal, step by step?
Resetting a garbage disposal takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and most of that is waiting. Switch the unit off, let the motor cool for ten minutes, press the red button until it clicks and stays put, then run cold water and switch the disposal back on. Waste King says to push the button in until it clicks and remains depressed.
- Switch off. Both InSinkErator guides make this step one. Leave the switch off until the last step.
- Clear any jam first. If it hummed before it stopped, free the plate with the hex wrench or it will trip again.
- Let it cool. If the button does not hold on the first press, InSinkErator says wait ten minutes and try again.
- Press gently. Push the button up until it clicks. Never hammer it with a tool.
- Water on first. InSinkErator’s order is cold water on, then the disposal on.
- Test briefly. Run it empty for a few seconds, then grind a few soft scraps.
| Model family | How you reset it | Cool-down | How you free a jam |
|---|---|---|---|
| InSinkErator standard models | Press the red square button on the bottom | Wait 10 min if it will not stay up | Jam Buster wrench or 1/4 in Allen in bottom center socket |
| InSinkErator EZ Connect, wall switch | Turn the wall switch off, then back on | Up to 20 min | Wrenchette in bottom center hole, one full revolution |
| InSinkErator EZ Connect, air switch | Unplug, then plug back in | Up to 20 min | Wrenchette in bottom center hole, one full revolution |
| InSinkErator Builder, Amana, ES | Per model manual | Per model manual | Turn the turntable from above with a wooden spoon |
| Waste King | Push the reset in until it clicks and stays depressed | Not stated in FAQ | Wooden spoon or unjamming wrench, power off |
What trips a garbage disposal reset button?
Heat trips the reset button. The overload protector is a thermal cutout that opens when the motor runs too hot, and Waste King says the usual cause is a jammed grinding plate that overheats the motor. Overfeeding, a hard object such as a fruit pit or utensil, and an aging motor that draws too much current all push the motor past its limit.
Waste King lists three signs of a jam: an unusual noise, waste left at the splash guard, and a rotten food odor. Odor also comes from sludge buildup, so learn how to clean a garbage disposal before it starts.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Silent, red button dropped about 1/4 in | Overload tripped | Switch off, wait 10 min, press until it clicks |
| Hums but will not spin | Object wedged at the grind ring | Power off, 1/4 in hex wrench both ways until full circles |
| Button will not stay in | Motor still hot, or jam not cleared | Clear jam, wait 10 min (20 min on EZ Connect), retry |
| Button never latches after full cool-down | Failed overload or motor | Replace the unit |
| Silent, button flush with housing | Breaker, fuse, GFCI, plug or switch | Check panel, reset GFCI, reseat plug |
| Breaker trips the instant you switch on | Short or broken wire | Stop and call a licensed electrician |
| Trips every few uses, no jam found | Worn motor, often 5 to 10 years old | Price a replacement |
How do you free a jam with the 1/4 inch hex wrench?
Put the wrench in the hex socket at the dead center of the disposal’s bottom and work it back and forth until it turns full circles in both directions. InSinkErator says its Jam Buster wrench, a silver crank about four inches long, ships with the unit, and a standard 1/4 inch Allen wrench works if that one is lost. Expect a few minutes of rocking on a stubborn jam.
- Switch the disposal off and unplug it or turn off its breaker. Never put your hand in the disposal.
- If the sink is full, let it drain or bail it out with a pot, as InSinkErator’s jam guide advises.
- Seat the wrench in the bottom center socket.
- Work it back and forth. InSinkErator says some force is fine because the wrench is designed to bend before the disposal is damaged.
- Keep going until it spins freely in complete circles both ways.
- Check the outer edge of the shredding disk with a flashlight and lift out the object with tongs.
- Press the reset, run cold water, then switch on. Repeat the wrench step if it jams again.
On InSinkErator EZ Connect units you turn the wrenchette one full revolution. Builder, Amana and ES models have no wrench step, so you turn the turntable from above with a wooden spoon, power off.
Why does a garbage disposal hum but won’t turn?
A garbage disposal that hums but won’t turn has power at the motor and a grinding plate that cannot move. The hum is the motor trying to start against the stall. In most cases a bone shard, pit, bottle cap or small utensil is wedged between the plate’s lugs and the grind ring, the area InSinkErator tells you to inspect.
Shut it off within a few seconds. Waste King notes that a jam is exactly what overheats the motor and trips the overload, so a humming unit left on turns a wrench job into a reset plus a cool-down.
If the plate turns full circles by wrench and the unit still hums without spinning, the motor is likely failing. Our garbage disposal not working guide covers leaks and slow draining.
Why won’t the garbage disposal reset button stay in?
A reset button that pops back out usually means the motor is still too hot. The thermal overload will not latch until the motor cools, so InSinkErator says wait ten minutes and press again, and allow up to 20 minutes on EZ Connect models. If the jam is still in place, the motor will overheat again within seconds, so clear the plate before the second try.
- Latches after ten minutes: a one-off. Feed waste slowly with cold water running.
- Trips again within a day: check the edge of the shredding disk for a hidden object.
- Never latches after 20 minutes: the overload or motor has failed, which usually means replacement.
Check the warranty before you buy. InSinkErator’s warranty page says every model carries an in-home limited warranty, with the term in its Installation, Care and Use manual. Waste King says coverage varies by model.
Could it be the breaker, wall switch or GFCI instead?
Yes. If the red button sits flush and the disposal makes no sound, power is not reaching the motor. InSinkErator’s jam guide says to check the service panel for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses when the motor stays dead, and Waste King says to look for a short or broken wire when the reset has not tripped. Work through these in order.
- Plug: on cord-connected units, make sure the plug under the sink is fully seated.
- GFCI: if the under-sink outlet or a nearby kitchen outlet has Test and Reset buttons, press Reset. One tripped GFCI can kill outlets downstream of it.
- Breaker: find the disposal or kitchen breaker, push it fully to off, then back to on. A tripped breaker often rests in the middle position.
- Switch: wall switches wear out. A countertop air switch works through a small air tube to a box under the sink, so check that the tube is attached.
If the breaker trips again the moment you switch the disposal on, stop. That points to a short, a job for a licensed electrician, not another reset.
When should you replace the disposal instead of resetting it?
Replace the disposal when the reset will not latch after a full cool-down, when it trips on nearly every use with no jam, or when it hums with a free-spinning plate. HomeAdvisor puts expected life at five to 10 years, and its June 2026 cost data shows an average replacement of $550, a normal range of $200 to $625, and installer labor of $50 to $100 per hour.
The unit price climbs with horsepower. HomeAdvisor’s 2026 cost guide lists 1/3 to 1/2 HP units at $50 to $225, 5/8 to 3/4 HP at $120 to $310, and 1 to 1-1/4 HP at $200 to $400. A motor with more power stalls less on bones and fibrous scraps, which means fewer trips.
HomeAdvisor sizes 1/3 to 1/2 HP for one or two people, 5/8 to 3/4 HP for three or four, and 1 HP and up for five or more. Our guide to types of garbage disposals compares motors, grind stages and feed styles. If you plan to swap it yourself, read how to install a garbage disposal first, since InSinkErator says its Quick Lock mount lets you swap any InSinkErator model for another.
How we sourced this
We reviewed the top-ranking reset and humming guides in October 2026, then went to manufacturer support pages for every procedure and number. Reset location, button drop, cool-down times and wrench size come from InSinkErator’s reset and jam guides. Waste King figures come from its support FAQ. Cost, horsepower tiers and lifespan come from HomeAdvisor’s guide updated June 2026. Moen’s support pages did not load, so we made no Moen-specific claims. We left out wrench sizes and cool-down times for brands that do not publish them.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
On most units it sits on the underside, facing the floor. InSinkErator describes it as a small red square button on the bottom of the disposal, near the center hex socket used for clearing jams. Grab a flashlight and look up from inside the sink cabinet. If you see no red button, check your model manual, since InSinkErator EZ Connect models use a timed cool-down routine instead.
Why does my garbage disposal reset button keep tripping?
The button is a thermal overload, so it trips whenever the motor runs too hot. Waste King says a jammed grinding plate is the usual trigger, because the stalled motor overheats. Other causes include feeding too much waste at once and a motor that is wearing out. If it trips on nearly every use after you clear the jams, plan on replacing the unit.
What should I do if the garbage disposal reset button won’t stay in?
Let the motor cool and try again. InSinkErator says to wait ten minutes if the red button will not stay up, and to allow up to 20 minutes for EZ Connect models. Clear any jam with the hex wrench first, because a stalled plate will trip it again. If the button still will not latch after a full cool-down, the overload or the motor has likely failed.
Why does my garbage disposal hum but not turn?
A hum means power reaches the motor but the grinding plate cannot spin, almost always because something is wedged between the plate and the grind ring. Switch the unit off right away, put a 1/4 inch Allen wrench in the bottom center socket and work it back and forth until it turns full circles both ways. Then pull the object out with tongs, press the reset and test with cold water.
What size Allen wrench fits a garbage disposal?
InSinkErator says a standard 1/4 inch Allen wrench fits the bottom socket if you lose the Jam Buster wrench that ships with the unit. That wrench is silver, shaped like a small crank and about four inches long. Many other brands use a similar bottom socket, so check your manual. InSinkErator Builder, Amana and ES models are freed from above with a wooden spoon instead.
How long should a garbage disposal cool before you reset it?
InSinkErator gives two numbers. On standard models with the red button, wait ten minutes if the button does not stay up, then press it again. On EZ Connect models, turn off the wall switch, or unplug units that use a push-button air switch, for up to 20 minutes before restoring power. Other brands may differ, so read the manual for your model.
Is it safe to press the reset button with the power on?
Turn the disposal switch off first, which is step one in both the InSinkErator reset and jam guides. Pressing the button with the switch on can restart the motor while your hand is under the unit. Before you use the hex wrench or reach toward the chamber with tongs, also unplug the cord or switch off the breaker. Never put your hand inside the disposal.
When should you replace a garbage disposal instead of resetting it?
Replace it when the reset will not latch after a full cool-down, when it trips on almost every use with no jam, or when it hums even though the plate spins freely by hand. Age matters too, since HomeAdvisor puts expected life at five to 10 years. Its June 2026 data shows an average replacement cost of $550 and a normal range of $200 to $625.
Why is my garbage disposal humming but not spinning?
A hum with no spin means power reaches the motor but the grinding plate cannot move, usually because a bone shard, pit, bottle cap or small utensil is wedged between the plate's lugs and the grind ring. Shut it off within a few seconds. If left running, Waste King notes the jam overheats the motor and trips the overload, turning a wrench job into a reset plus cool-down.
How long do you need to hold the reset button on a garbage disposal?
The article does not say how long to hold the button down. It says to press the button until it clicks and stays put, then release. If it pops back out, InSinkErator says wait ten minutes before pressing again, or up to 20 minutes for EZ Connect models, since the motor must cool before the button will latch.
