Fixing a Garbage Disposal that Won't Start

Sometime I turn my garbage disposal on and nothing happens.  I can hear a quiet hum that tells me electricity is reaching the motor, but the blades aren't turning.  There is a super simple fix for this.


First find this tool.  It came with your garbage disposal and is either taped to the side or just lying around under your sink.  If you can't find it, use a set of Allen wrenches instead.

Next, make sure you turn off the garbage disposal.

Then, make sure everyone around you knows NOT TO TURN ON the garbage disposal.  See the next step for why...

Reach down into the sink and make sure there is nothing stuck in there.  It might be kind of gross in there.  Sorry.  Spin the blades around with your hand to make sure they can turn freely.

Now get under your sink.  Feel around the bottom of your disposal for a little tiny hole.

 Grab your Allen wrench.

 

Fit the tip of the wrench up into the bottom of the disposal.  Give it a little turn.  Just a little.

 

This will magically reset your disposal.  I don't know why (and I'm too lazy to google it and find out), but it works.

Good luck!


Marcia