How to Find the Red Garbage Disposal Reset Button
Updated: April 2025
At Herrmann Services, our plumbers fix dozens of kitchen plumbing problems every day. They also know all the tricks of the trade. Today, we’re sharing a quick troubleshooting tip that just may help you get out of a jam (literally) and save you a service call for a garbage disposal repair.
Troubleshooting: When the Garbage Disposal Won’t Turn On
Safety reminder: Never put your hand down into the garbage disposal (grinding chamber). Use a wooden spoon or another tool to dislodge anything stuck.
Your garbage disposal is smarter than you think. It is designed to turn off automatically when the disposal gets clogged, if it overheats, or if there is something wrong with the motor. The simple fix you probably didn’t know about is the little red reset button on the bottom of your disposal.
First, make sure the disposal is turned off. Look for a red button underneath the disposal. If it has popped out about a quarter of an inch, simply press it back in and try running the disposal. Sometimes this is all it takes. Don’t forget to check the electrical panel to see if the breaker needs to be flipped back on.
If the garbage disposal reset button still will not stay in, or if you have to repeatedly reset the breaker, the disposal may be jammed. Read on to troubleshoot a garbage disposal jam.
When the Motor Hums But Won’t Grind
If you turn the switch and the motor hums, but there is no grinding sound, that means the flywheel is stuck. When this happens, either the garbage disposal reset button will trip, or the fuse in your electrical service panel will blow to protect the motor from burning out.
The flywheel gets stuck because a hard piece of food or debris is lodged between it (or the impellers) and the shredder ring.
Learn about the anatomy of a garbage disposal below:
How to Dislodge a Jam with a Garbage Disposal Allen Wrench
Here’s another handy trick to know about your system: you can manually turn the flywheel from underneath the sink.
Just take the specific offset garbage disposal wrench that came with the unit and insert it into the flywheel turning hole located directly in the bottom center of the disposal. If you don’t have the original wrench, don’t worry—a simple garbage disposal Allen wrench (usually 1/4 inch) from any standard hardware store will work perfectly as a garbage disposal tool.
Turn the wrench clockwise and counterclockwise to force the stuck impeller or flywheel to move. When the debris dislodges, you’ll feel the flywheel easily turn in a full circle.
Once freed, turn the power back on at the electrical panel and press the garbage disposal reset button one more time. But don’t flip the wall switch just yet! Run cold water down the drain, and then quickly flip the switch on and off to spin the flywheel, chop up the remaining obstruction, and rinse it safely down the pipes.
10 Things You Should Never Put Down a Garbage Disposal
Grease: It will solidify and coat your pipes.
Bones: They’ll just keep spinning around and dulling the blades.
Celery: The fibrous strings get tangled around the motor shaft.
Coffee Grounds: The oil in coffee grounds becomes a thick, sticky sludge.
Eggshells: Ground shells become sand-like particles that stick to pipe walls.
Corn Husks: The heavy fibers easily get caught in the blades.
Artichokes: Much like corn husks, the leaves are far too fibrous.
Fruit Pits: Peach and cherry pits are extremely hard and can instantly jam or break the disposal blades.
Potato Peels: Starchy vegetables and heavy pastas can swell and cause a sticky mess in your drain line.
Your Hand: Enough said!
Need Fast Garbage Disposal Repair Near You?
If these tips don’t work, contact the plumbers in Cincinnati at Herrmann Services! We’ll be there in a jiffy to diagnose the issue, handle your garbage disposal repair, or install a powerful new replacement unit if necessary.
Call: (513) 407-5177
