How to Unclog a Garbage Disposal Safely (and Reset It When It Won’t Run)

To unclog a garbage disposal, first turn off the power at the wall switch and the breaker. Then free the jammed impeller plate by turning it with the hex key that fits the socket on the bottom of the unit, remove whatever’s stuck with tongs (never your hand), press the red reset button, and run cold water while you restore power. If the disposal spins freely but water still won’t drain, the clog is past the disposal in the drain line and you’ll clear it by plunging or cleaning the P-trap.

Two different problems get called a “clogged disposal,” and they have different fixes. This guide covers both: a jammed disposal (it hums or does nothing) and a draining problem (it spins fine but the sink fills up).

Figure out which problem you have

• It hums but doesn’t spin → the impeller plate is jammed. Go to Step 1.
• It does nothing at all — no sound → the motor’s thermal overload tripped or there’s no power. Go to Step 3.
• It runs and sounds normal, but the sink won’t drain → the drain line past the disposal is clogged. Go to Step 4.
• It runs but food just churns and doesn’t go down → the grind chamber is packed or the drain is partially blocked. Do Steps 1, 2 and 4.
• It leaks → different problem: a failed seal, a loose drain connection, or a cracked housing. See the leaking section at the end.

Step 1: Free the jam from underneath

1. Look at the very bottom center of the disposal for a hex-shaped socket. Most disposals came with a quarter-inch hex key for it; any quarter-inch Allen wrench works.
2. Insert the wrench and work it back and forth. You’ll feel it stick, then give as the jam breaks free. Keep going until it turns a full rotation smoothly in both directions.
3. No socket on your model? Use a wooden spoon or broom handle from above: press it against one of the impellers (the metal lugs on the spinning plate) and lever the plate back and forth.

Step 2: Remove the object

Shine a flashlight into the chamber. Common culprits are bottle caps, fruit pits, bones, a twist tie, flatware, or a wad of fibrous peelings. Pull it out with tongs. Then spin the plate again with the wrench to be sure nothing else is under the impellers.

Step 3: Reset the disposal

1. Find the small red (sometimes black) button on the bottom or lower side of the unit. If it has popped out, the thermal overload tripped to protect the motor.
2. Let the unit cool for a few minutes, then press the button until it clicks and stays in.
3. Restore power, run cold water, and switch the disposal on. If it trips again immediately, the jam isn’t cleared or the motor is failing.
4. Still nothing? Check that the unit is plugged in (the outlet under the sink), and check the breaker and, if you have one, the GFCI outlet that feeds it.

Step 4: Clear the drain line when the disposal spins but won’t drain

Once the disposal spins freely, a sink that still won’t drain has a clog in the pipe between the disposal and the wall. Grease and ground food collect in the disposal’s discharge elbow and the P-trap.

1. Turn the power off again.
2. If you have a dishwasher, clamp its drain hose (it connects to the side of the disposal) so you don’t push water into the dishwasher.
3. Seal the second sink drain with a wet rag and plunge the disposal side hard with a cup plunger 15–20 times.
4. If plunging fails, put a bucket under the sink and disconnect the P-trap and the disposal’s discharge tube. Clean out the buildup — this is usually where the clog is.
5. If both are clean, feed a hand-crank drain snake into the wall pipe until it breaks through, then reassemble and run hot water for a few minutes.

Step 5: Clean the grind chamber

With the drain clear and power restored, run cold water and drop in a handful of ice cubes and a cup of coarse salt. The ice knocks residue off the impellers and chamber wall. Follow with a cut-up lemon or a cup of baking soda and vinegar to deodorize, then flush with cold water for 30 seconds.

Step 6: Test it properly

Run cold water first, turn the disposal on, then feed in a small amount of soft food scraps. Leave the water running 15–20 seconds after the grinding sound stops. That flushes the ground material all the way through the trap instead of leaving it to settle.

What never goes in a garbage disposal

• Grease, oil, and fat (they coat the chamber and harden in the drain line — the #1 cause of clogs)
• Coffee grounds and eggshells (they form sludge in the trap)
• Pasta, rice, oatmeal, and bread (they swell with water)
• Fibrous vegetables: celery, corn husks, onion skins, artichokes, asparagus (they wrap around the impellers)
• Bones, fruit pits, and shells
• Potato peels in quantity (they turn into a starchy paste)
• Anything that isn’t food — twist ties, glass, and rubber bands

If the disposal is leaking

Leaks from the top (where the disposal meets the sink) are a failed sink flange seal. Leaks from the side are a loose dishwasher hose or discharge tube connection. Leaks from the bottom mean the internal seals have failed — the unit needs replacing, and the age of the disposal usually makes that an easy call. Most disposals last 8–15 years.

When to call a plumber

• The unit hums and trips the reset even after you’ve freed the plate and removed any debris — the motor bearings are likely seized.
• The disposal runs fine but the sink clogs again within weeks. The buildup is further down the line and needs a powered auger or hydro jetting.
• Water is leaking from the bottom of the disposal.
• Other drains in the house are also slow, or you smell sewage — the problem is bigger than the disposal.
• You want the disposal replaced. It’s a quick job for a plumber and worth pairing with a check of the drain line while the trap is apart.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset a garbage disposal?

Turn off the power, then look for a small red button on the bottom of the unit. Press it until it clicks in. Restore power, run cold water, and switch it on. If the button pops back out right away, the impeller is still jammed or the motor is failing — clear the jam with a hex wrench first.

Can I use Drano in a garbage disposal?

No. Chemical drain cleaners corrode the disposal’s metal parts and rubber seals and can damage the drain pipe. If they don’t clear the clog you’re left with caustic standing water that’s hazardous to plunge or reach into. Use the hex wrench, plunger, and P-trap cleaning instead.

Why is my garbage disposal humming but not working?

A hum with no spinning means the motor is getting power but the impeller plate is jammed. Turn the power off, insert a quarter-inch hex key in the socket on the bottom of the unit, and work it back and forth to free the plate, then remove the object with tongs. Never keep running a humming disposal — it will burn out.

Why won’t my sink drain if the garbage disposal is running?

The disposal is spinning but the pipe past it — the discharge elbow, P-trap, or the drain line in the wall — is clogged, usually with grease and ground food. Plunge the sink with the second drain sealed, then clean the P-trap and snake the line if needed.

How long does a garbage disposal last?

Typically 8 to 15 years. Frequent jams, leaks from the bottom of the unit, or a motor that trips the reset repeatedly are signs it’s near the end. Replacement is usually more economical than repairing a unit over 10 years old.