Why does my garbage disposal hum but not spin?

A humming disposal that does not spin means the motor is getting power but the grinding flywheel is jammed by something wedged between it and the housing. The motor cannot turn, so it hums and, if left on, will overheat and trip its thermal protector. Turn the switch off immediately — running it while jammed burns out the motor. The fix is to cut the power, clear whatever is stuck, and free the flywheel with the hex wrench in the bottom, then press the reset button.

Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?

The reset button is a small red or black button on the bottom of the disposal unit, under the sink. When the disposal's thermal overload trips from a jam or overheating, that button pops out; pressing it back in restores power once the unit has cooled and the jam is cleared. If it will not stay in, the motor is still hot — wait 10 to 15 minutes and try again. Always clear the jam first, because resetting into a still-jammed unit just trips it again.

How do I free a jammed garbage disposal flywheel?

With the power off, insert the hex (Allen) wrench that came with the disposal into the hexagonal socket in the center of the unit's bottom, and work it back and forth to manually rotate the flywheel and break the jam free. If you cannot find that wrench, most units take a 1/4-inch Allen key. No socket on the bottom? Use a wooden spoon handle or a disposal wrench in the drain opening — never your hand — to turn the flywheel from above. Then fish out the debris.

Is it safe to put my hand in a garbage disposal?

Never put your hand into a garbage disposal, even with the power off — the grinding components are sharp. Always cut the power at the switch and ideally the breaker first, then use tongs, pliers, or a wooden spoon to remove anything stuck, and use the hex wrench underneath to turn the flywheel. Treating the disposal as if it could start at any moment is the right mindset. The two-minute habit of killing the breaker before reaching anywhere near the opening prevents serious injury.

When should I call a plumber for a garbage disposal?

Call a plumber if the disposal is leaking, if it stays dead after you have cleared the jam and pressed reset, if it trips the breaker repeatedly, or if it makes a grinding noise with nothing in it (a sign of worn or broken components). A unit that hums, jams, and resets is usually a simple DIY fix; one that will not power on at all after resetting, or that leaks from the body, often needs professional repair or replacement. Persistent electrical tripping is also a job for a pro.

How to Reset a Jammed Garbage Disposal (Safe Steps)

Written & researched by Derek Holt Home & Appliances Editor

Updated August 2026

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Freeing a jammed garbage disposal is a 10-minute beginner fix that saves a plumber's visit — no special tools beyond the little hex wrench that came with the unit. A disposal that hums but will not spin is jammed, and the fix is simple: cut the power, clear the obstruction, free the flywheel with the hex wrench, and press the reset button underneath. The single most important rule is safety — kill the switch and ideally the breaker before reaching anywhere near the opening, and never put your hand inside, even with the power off. Call a plumber only if it leaks, stays dead after resetting, or trips the breaker repeatedly.

Tools and materials

The 1/4-inch hex (Allen) wrench that came with the disposal.
Tongs or long pliers and a flashlight — never your hand.
Materials: nothing else. A working disposal is part of a smooth kitchen — keep the rest running with our guides to replacing a fridge water filter and descaling a coffee maker, and see the blender roundup for prep gear.

Step 1: Cut the power

Turn off the disposal switch, then switch off its breaker or unplug it under the sink. Do not skip this — treat the disposal as if it could start at any second. This is the one step that prevents a serious injury, and it takes only a moment.

Step 2: Look for the obstruction

Shine a flashlight into the drain opening and look for what is jamming the flywheel — often a bone, a fruit pit, a utensil, or fibrous scraps wedged at the edge. Using tongs or long pliers, remove anything you can reach. Never reach in with your fingers, even with the power off.

Golden-hour view of a person's hands lifting food from a countertop appliance in a bright kitchen

Step 3: Free the flywheel with the hex wrench

Under the sink, insert the hex wrench into the hexagonal socket in the center of the disposal's bottom and work it back and forth to rotate the flywheel and break the jam loose. You will feel it free up and turn a full circle. If there is no bottom socket, use a wooden spoon handle in the drain opening to turn the flywheel from above.

Step 4: Clear remaining debris

With the flywheel turning freely, look and reach in again with tongs to remove any loosened debris. Run cold water briefly with the power still off to help flush loose bits down. Make sure nothing is left wedged before you restore power.

Three-quarter view of a person's hands lifting food from a countertop appliance in a bright kitchen, in soft overcast light

Step 5: Reset and test

Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit — it should stay in once the motor has cooled. Restore the breaker, run cold water, and switch the disposal on for a few seconds. It should spin freely and quietly. If it stays dead, hums again, leaks, or trips the breaker, stop and call a plumber.

Where to go next

A smooth-running kitchen means clean gear too — see our guides to deep cleaning a blender, cleaning an air fryer, and sharpening kitchen knives. Everything sits under the small kitchen appliances hub.

We never buy or physically test the products we rank — our picks come from aggregated owner reviews and expert consensus, explained on how we rank.

How to Reset a Jammed Garbage Disposal