How to Unclog a Jammed Garbage Disposal (Without a Plumber)
Quick Answer
Stop immediately if you hear a hum. Turn off power at the breaker or unplug the unit under the sink. Insert a 1/4-inch Allen wrench into the hex socket on the very bottom center of the disposal. Crank it back and forth forcefully to break the jam. Once it spins freely, press the red Reset Button on the bottom, restore power, and flush with cold water.
By Aerion Solaris
Calling a plumber to unjam a disposal costs an average of $150 to $250. As a mechanic, I can tell you that 90% of disposal failures are not mechanical "failures" at all, they are simple jams that you can fix in 5 minutes with a single tool.
Step 1: The Safety Lockout
Never put your hand inside the disposal, even if it is turned off.
- Unplug it: Locate the outlet under the sink and unplug the unit.
- Breaker: If it is hard-wired, flip the breaker at your electrical panel. Verify it is off by flipping the wall switch; there should be zero sound.
Step 2: The Manual Crank (The Fix)
Every disposal has a manual override slot.
- Clear out the cabinet under the sink so you can see the bottom of the unit.
- Locate the hexagonal hole in the direct center of the bottom casing.
- Insert a 1/4-inch Allen wrench (also called a hex key). Most disposals (like InSinkErator) come with one, but they often get lost.
- Crank it: Turn the wrench back and forth. It will feel stuck at first. Apply force until you feel the jam "break" and the wrench spins freely in complete circles.
Step 3: The Reset and Test
- Find the small Red Reset Button on the bottom or side of the unit. If it has popped out about 1/4 inch, the internal overload protector tripped to save the motor. Push it back in until it clicks.
- Restore power.
- Run cold water (never hot, as it melts fat which then reclogs further down the pipe) and flip the switch.
Maintenance Tip: The "Ice Scour"
To clean the blades and sharpen the impellers without chemicals, dump 2 cups of ice cubes into the disposal once a month. Turn on the cold water and run the disposal. The hard ice scours the internal chamber walls and removes built-up sludge.