How to Reset a Garbage Disposal (and What to Check if It Trips Again)
Where the reset button is, how to press it properly, and why it keeps popping out on some disposals.
To reset a garbage disposal, turn the wall switch off, find the small red button on the bottom of the unit under the sink and press it until it clicks and stays in, then switch the disposal back on with cold water running. The whole thing takes under a minute. If the button will not stay in, the motor is still hot, so wait about ten minutes. If it trips again soon after, something is jamming or overloading the motor, and you need to fix that before resetting again.
What the reset button does
Most disposals have a built-in thermal overload protector. When the motor gets too hot, from a jam, a long run or too much food at once, the protector cuts power to protect the motor. The red button is how you rearm it. Pressing it does not fix a jam; it just lets the motor try again.
Where to find the reset button
- On most units it is a small red (sometimes black) button on the bottom of the disposal, facing the floor. You may need a flashlight and to kneel inside the cabinet.
- On some models it is on the side near the bottom.
- When tripped, it typically sits a little lower than normal. InSinkErator describes a tripped button as about 1/4 inch (5 mm) lower than usual.
- Some newer models have no button. InSinkErator’s EZ Connect units, for example, reset by turning the wall switch off, or unplugging an air-switch unit, for up to 20 minutes.
Not sure? Check your manual. The model number is on a label on the disposal body.
What you need
- Flashlight
- 1/4-inch hex key or the wrench supplied with the disposal (in case of a jam)
- Tongs
How to reset a garbage disposal
- Turn the disposal off at the wall switch or air switch.
- Clear any jam first. If it was humming before it stopped, unplug it or switch off the breaker, then turn the hex key in the bottom socket until it rotates freely, and remove the object from the chamber with tongs. See disposal not spinning for full steps.
- Let it cool. If it ran for a long time or was stalled, wait at least ten minutes.
- Press the red button firmly but gently until it clicks and stays in.
- Restore power if you turned it off at the breaker or unplugged it.
- Run cold water, then switch on. Let it run for 15 to 30 seconds empty to confirm it works.
If it trips again
| Pattern | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Trips within seconds, hums first | Jam still present | Hex key unjam, remove object |
| Trips after a long run | Overloading with too much food at once | Feed gradually; run cold water |
| Trips with an empty chamber | Worn motor or bearing, internal fault | Likely replacement; check warranty |
| Button stays in but nothing runs | Power supply issue | Check breaker, GFCI, plug, switch |
| Breaker in the panel trips | Electrical fault or seized motor | Stop; call a licensed electrician |
If the button stays in and the disposal still does nothing, the problem is upstream. Work through garbage disposal not working after reset, which covers the breaker, GFCI and switch checks. If you need to find the right breaker, see how to reset a tripped breaker.
Habits that stop the overload from tripping
- Run a moderate stream of cold water before, during and for a few seconds after grinding, as manufacturers recommend.
- Add food a little at a time instead of filling the chamber first.
- Do not grind grease, and keep hard or fibrous scraps out unless your model is rated for them.
- Do not run a humming, stalled disposal: switch it off immediately.
Safety notes
- Never put your hand into the disposal, even with the switch off. Use tongs.
- Unplug the unit or switch off its breaker before using a hex key or reaching under the sink near the wiring.
- Water leaking from around the reset button is not a reset problem. It means an internal seal has failed. See disposal leaking from the reset button and stop using the unit.
When to call a pro
Call a licensed electrician if the breaker trips when the disposal starts, if you smell burning, or if the switch or outlet is warm or damaged. If the reset button trips over and over with no jam, the motor is likely failing; contact the manufacturer if it is under warranty, or have a plumber install a replacement. InSinkErator’s reset page also points owners to its support line for repeated trips.
Bottom line
Switch off, clear any jam, let it cool, press the red button on the bottom until it stays in, then run it with cold water. One trip is normal after a jam. Repeated trips with an empty chamber mean the disposal needs service or replacement.
FAQ
Why will my reset button not stay in?
The overload protector has not cooled down yet. Wait about ten minutes and press again.
Can I hold the reset button down to make it work?
No. Pressing it simply rearms the protector. Holding it does not bypass the safety cutoff, and you should not try to defeat it.
My disposal has no red button. How do I reset it?
Some models reset automatically after cooling, or by switching off or unplugging for a set time. Your manual will say which applies.
Is it safe to reset a disposal myself?
Yes. Pressing the reset button is a normal owner task. Just keep the switch off while you do it and never reach into the chamber.
