How to Reset a Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal, as you know, has the job of grinding down leftover food and washing it down the drain. At some point, however, we have all experienced a problem with our garbage disposal. You turn it on and all you hear is a buzz. Unlike many of your other appliances, fixing the garbage disposal is often as easy as unclogging or resetting the device.  

What Causes the Garbage Disposal to Jam 

Most of the time, problems with a garbage disposal are directly related to items being put down the drain that should not be put in there. Here are a list of things to avoid sticking down the garbage disposal that can cause it to jam or break: 

• Banana peels 
• Bones 
• Celery 
• Coffee grounds 
• Eggshells 
• Grease 
• Oatmeal  
• Pasta 

Some of those items are pretty obvious, others have a high starch or fiber content that can grip on to other debris and create an obstruction.  

When the garbage disposal is overloaded, it has an internal breaker that trips and will need to be reset. When this happens, check to see if there is an obstruction, but make sure you always kill the power to the unit before checking the blade area for any obstruction or buildup. Never stick your hand down the disposal; use needle nose pliers to clear any obstructions from the blades.  

Resetting the Garbage Disposal 

Resetting the appliance is very easy and will generally solve the problem. All you need to do is locate the little red button on the bottom of the device that is labeled “reset.” Press the button inward. If the button will not depress or immediately pops back out, give it a few minutes, then try it again.  

Once the reset has taken place, turn the power on and run cold water down the drain for a few minutes to help clear any obstructions that may have been in place. 

If the reset button continues to pop or will not reset, it is time to call the local appliance repair technician.