How to Unclog a Garbage Disposal: 5 Fixes
Most garbage disposal problems fall into three categories: jammed (humming but not spinning), dead (no sound at all), or draining slowly. Each has a different fix — and most take under 15 minutes. Here's exactly what to do.
Always unplug the disposal (or flip its circuit breaker) before reaching under the sink or putting anything inside the drain. Even with the wall switch off, the motor can start if you accidentally move the blades. Use tongs or pliers to remove objects — not your fingers.
Start Here: What Is Your Disposal Doing?
Step-by-Step Fixes
Always start by turning it off and unplugging it
Flip the wall switch off. Reach under the sink and unplug the disposal. If it is hardwired (no plug — just wires going into a junction box), flip the dedicated circuit breaker. Do not skip this regardless of which fix you are doing.
Fix a jam with the hex key (humming disposal)
Look at the bottom of the disposal under the sink. There is a 1/4-inch hex (Allen wrench) socket in the center. Many disposals come with the hex key taped underneath. If you don't have it, any standard 1/4-inch Allen wrench works.
- Insert the hex key into the center socket on the bottom of the unit
- Work it back and forth — clockwise and counterclockwise
- You will feel resistance then a release as the jam breaks loose
- Continue until the plate rotates freely a full turn
- Remove the hex key
- Shine a flashlight down the drain and use tongs to remove the object that caused the jam
- Plug back in, press reset button, run cold water, then turn on
Press the reset button (completely dead disposal)
If the disposal makes no sound at all when switched on, look at the bottom of the unit under the sink. Find the small red or black reset button. When the thermal overload trips, this button pops out slightly.
- Make sure the disposal is unplugged
- Find the reset button on the bottom of the unit
- Press it firmly until you feel it click
- Plug back in and try again
If the button doesn't click (won't reset) or immediately trips again: there is an electrical issue or a motor failure — call a plumber or electrician.
Clear a slow-draining disposal (drain line clog)
If the disposal runs fine but water pools up, the drain line is clogged — not the disposal itself.
- Fill the sink with 2–3 inches of water
- If you have a double sink, stuff a rag into the other drain to seal it
- Use a cup plunger (flat rubber cup) and plunge vigorously 15–20 times
- Repeat 2–3 times with fresh water
If plunging does not clear it, use a 1/4-inch hand drain snake through the P-trap clean-out under the sink. Do not use Drano — it damages disposal components.
What not to put in the disposal (prevention)
- Grease or cooking oil
- Fibrous vegetables (celery, artichoke)
- Potato peels (starchy paste)
- Bones and fruit pits
- Eggshells (membrane wraps blades)
- Large amounts of coffee grounds
- Always run cold water (not hot)
- Run water 20 sec before, during, and after
- Cut food into small pieces first
- Run ice cubes monthly to sharpen blades
- Small citrus rinds deodorize naturally
When to Replace the Disposal
- Needs to be reset more than once a month — motor is overheating frequently (failing)
- Leaks from the bottom of the unit — internal seals have failed, not repairable
- Makes a loud grinding or metal rattling sound when empty — grinding ring or bearings are worn
- More than 10–12 years old with repeated problems
New disposal: $100–$250 for the unit + $100–$200 for professional installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my garbage disposal humming but not spinning?
The grinding plate is jammed on a hard object. Use the hex key method: insert a 1/4-inch Allen wrench into the port on the bottom of the unit and work it back and forth until the plate breaks free. Always unplug the disposal first.
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
On the bottom of the disposal unit, directly under the sink. It is a small red or black button, roughly the size of a pencil eraser. When the thermal overload trips, the button pops out slightly. Press it until you feel a click, then try the disposal again.
Can I use Drano in a garbage disposal?
No. Chemical drain cleaners corrode the rubber and plastic parts inside the disposal — seals, splash guard, and internal components. For slow draining, use a plunger or drain snake. For a jam, use the hex key method.
Should I use hot or cold water with the disposal?
Always cold water. Cold water keeps fats solid so the disposal can chop them into small pieces. Hot water melts grease into liquid that re-solidifies further down the drain pipes, causing clogs over time. Run cold water 20 seconds before, during, and after use.
Disposal Beyond a DIY Fix?
If it leaks, needs constant resetting, or is making metal-on-metal sounds, it's time for a professional look. A local plumber can diagnose and replace in one visit.
Find a Plumber Near You