Plumbing guide
Garbage disposal not working: how to reset, unjam or replace it
By the Home Doctor team · Reviewed
Quick answer
If a garbage disposal hums but won't spin, it's jammed: cut the power, then work it free with a hex key (usually 1/4-inch) in the socket on the bottom of the unit. If it's completely silent, press the red reset button on the bottom and check the breaker, the wall switch and the plug. A disposal leaking from its body usually needs replacing, typically $250 to $750 installed. Never put your hand inside it, even with the power off.
- How urgent
- Fix soon
A jammed or dead disposal is an inconvenience. A leak is more pressing, because water under the sink ruins the cabinet and can reach the outlet the disposal plugs into.
- DIY or pro
- DIY
Resetting and unjamming take a few minutes and a hex key. Swapping in a new plug-in unit is a job for a handy homeowner. Hardwired units and dead switches or outlets are for an electrician.
Stop and call a pro now if
- Water is dripping onto the outlet or wiring under the sink: switch off the breaker before you touch anything.
- Burning smell or smoke from the unit: turn it off at the breaker and don't run it again.
- Something is stuck that tongs or pliers can't reach: never reach in by hand. Leave the power off and call a plumber.
Common causes and how to tell them apart
1. Jammed
- How to tell
- It hums but nothing spins, and it may shut itself off after a few seconds.
- What fixes it
- With the power off, turn the hex socket on the bottom back and forth with a hex key until it moves freely. Most units take a 1/4-inch key, and many come with one. Pull out the object with tongs or pliers.
2. Tripped overload
- How to tell
- Completely silent, often right after a jam or a long run. The red reset button on the bottom has popped out.
- What fixes it
- Let it cool for about 10 minutes, then press the reset button in until it clicks.
3. No power
- How to tell
- Silent, and the reset button isn't popped. The breaker or a GFCI outlet may have tripped, the plug may be loose, or the wall switch may have failed.
- What fixes it
- Reset the breaker or GFCI and check the plug under the sink. A dead switch or outlet is an electrician's job.
4. Burned-out motor
- How to tell
- It has power and you've reset and unjammed it, but it still only hums or stays silent.
- What fixes it
- Replace the unit. Repairing a disposal motor rarely makes sense.
5. Leak
- How to tell
- Water at the top (the sink flange), the side (the dishwasher hose or drain pipe) or the bottom (the unit itself).
- What fixes it
- Top: tighten the mounting ring or reseal the flange with plumber's putty. Side: tighten the clamp or replace the gasket. Bottom or body: the internal seals have failed, so replace the unit.
6. Clog below the disposal
- How to tell
- It runs fine but water backs up in the sink or into the other bowl.
- What fixes it
- Clear the trap or the drain line. Skip chemical drain cleaners: they can damage the disposal and splash back at you.
Not sure which one you have?
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What you can safely try first
- 1Switch it off at the wall, then unplug it under the sink or switch off its breaker.
- 2Shine a flashlight in. Pull out anything stuck with tongs or pliers, never your hand.
- 3Put a hex key (usually 1/4-inch) in the socket in the center of the bottom and work it back and forth until it turns freely.
- 4Wait 10 minutes and press the red reset button on the bottom. Then restore power, run cold water and switch it on.
- 5For a leak, dry everything, run water with a few drops of food coloring in the sink, and watch where it shows up first.
When to call a pro
- It still hums or stays silent after unjamming and resetting.
- It leaks from the bottom or the body of the unit.
- The wall switch or outlet is dead, or the unit is hardwired.
- The sink still backs up after you've cleared the trap.
What it costs
| Job | DIY parts | Pro, installed |
|---|---|---|
| Unjam and reset | $0–$10 | $100–$250 |
| Reseal the sink flange or replace a gasket | $5–$20 | $125–$250 |
| Clear a clog below the disposal | $0–$30 | $125–$350 |
| Replace a disposal (1/3 to 3/4 hp) | $100–$350 | $250–$750 |
| Replace a dead switch or outlet | Not recommended | $150–$350 |
Ballpark US ranges as of September 27, 2026. Your region, access and the specifics of your home can move these a lot. Get two or three quotes for anything over a few hundred dollars.
What to tell the pro
My garbage disposal [hums but won't spin / is completely silent / leaks from the top / leaks from the bottom]. I've [pressed the reset button / turned it with a hex key / checked the breaker] and it still [hums / does nothing / leaks]. It's about [age] years old and [plugs in under the sink / is hardwired]. If it needs replacing, what size would you put in, and does your price include the unit, haul-away and reconnecting the dishwasher?
Questions people ask
Why does my garbage disposal hum but not work?
It's jammed. The motor is getting power but something is stopping it from turning. Switch it off right away so the motor doesn't overheat, cut the power, and free it with a hex key (usually 1/4-inch) in the socket on the bottom.
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
On the bottom of the unit, usually a small red button. If it's popped out, the motor overheated and shut itself off. Let it cool for about 10 minutes, then press it in until it clicks.
Is it safe to reach into a garbage disposal?
No. Someone can hit the switch, and the edges inside can cut. Cut the power at the plug or breaker and use tongs or pliers to pull things out.
Is a leaking garbage disposal worth fixing?
It depends where it leaks. Leaks at the sink flange or the pipe connections are cheap fixes. A leak from the body or the bottom means the internal seals have failed, and the unit needs replacing.
Get an answer for your house
Every house is different. A photo gets you the likely cause, how urgent it is, and a fair price, in about 30 seconds.
Diagnose it from a photoFirst diagnosis free. No account needed.
General guidance, not a substitute for a licensed professional who can see the problem in person. If you smell gas, see sparks or smoke, or anyone is hurt, leave the area and call 911.