InSinkErator Jam-Buster
$6.95 at Amazon
Check it on AmazonPrice as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
Garbage disposal not working
Match what it’s doing to a fix, with each maker’s own steps.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
On this page
Quick answer
Most dead disposals are jammed, have a tripped reset or have no power. Switch it off, turn the plate with your brand’s wrench and press the red reset. No lamp light at its outlet? Check the breaker.
For an InSinkErator jam: Jam-Buster wrench$6.95 at AmazonPrice as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
Check it on AmazonWhat your disposal is doing and what it means
Flip the switch once with the water running, listen, and match it to a row.
| What it does | Most likely cause | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing at all, no sound | Reset button tripped, or no power at the outlet | Power check |
| Hums but the plate won’t spin | Something is wedged between the plate and the grind ring | Free the jam |
| Starts, then cuts out after a few seconds | Overload protector tripping on a jam or a heavy load | Free the jam, then reset |
| Rattles or clanks while it runs | A hard object such as a spoon, bottle cap or fruit pit | Pull it out with tongs |
| Runs, but the sink fills and won’t drain | Clog in the trap or drain line, or a new unit’s dishwasher plug | Sink won’t drain |
| Batch feed or air button does nothing | Stopper switch, air tube or switch box | Switch types |
| Water in the cabinet | Loose sink flange, dishwasher hose, discharge tube or a failed body | Disposal leaking guide |
| Bad smell from the drain | Food film inside the grind chamber | Disposal smell guide |
Find your brand before you buy anything. The label is on the side or bottom of the unit under the sink. InSinkErator, Moen and Waste King all fix jams the same basic way, but the wrench goes in a different place and the reset sits in a different spot.
Moen lists the three jam signs plainly: the disposal won’t turn on, won’t grind, or only hums. Waste King adds two you might not connect to a jam: food piling up at the splash guard, and a rotten-food smell from waste that never got ground.
Turn the power off before your hand goes near it
Every maker says the same thing first: power off before you clear a jam, take an object out or press the reset. Unplug the cord under the sink if it has one. A hard-wired unit goes off at the breaker.
Never reach into the grind chamber. InSinkErator’s manual calls for long-handled tongs or pliers to lift objects out, and Moen says the same. A flashlight pointed down the drain shows you what’s in there before you start fishing.
Do
Unplug it or switch off its breaker. Use tongs, pliers and a flashlight. Keep the stopper in when you aren’t grinding.
Don’t
Put a hand inside, pour in chemical drain cleaner, or keep flipping the switch on a humming unit. Repeat tries can trip the motor’s overload.
How to unjam a garbage disposal, brand by brand
Same idea on every unit: turn the grinding plate by hand until it moves freely. Where you turn it from depends on the brand.
| Brand | Where the wrench goes | How far to turn | Reset button |
|---|---|---|---|
| InSinkErator (Badger, Evolution and others) | Hex hole in the center of the bottom, from under the sink | Back and forth until it makes one full turn | Red button on the bottom; let the motor cool 3–5 minutes first. Some Evolution models reset on their own |
| Moen (all but the GT series) | From the top: Moen 1037 wrench flat on the turntable, ends against the two swivel impellers | Either way, at least two full turns | Red button near the bottom, opposite the power cord. May sit back far enough to need a screwdriver |
| Moen GT series | From the top with a wooden spoon. Moen says these don’t need a hex wrench | Until the turntable moves freely | Red button near the bottom, opposite the cord |
| Waste King | From the top: wooden spoon or the unjamming wrench pushed against an impeller | Until the turntable turns freely | On the front of the unit. Push until it clicks and stays down |
- 1Switch off and unplug
Turn off the wall switch, then pull the plug under the sink or switch off the breaker.
- 2Take out the splash guard
Moen and Waste King both say to lift out the stopper and splash guard first. Some guards are built into the flange and stay put.
- 3Look and pull
Shine a flashlight down the drain. Lift out anything hard with tongs. Moen names chicken bones, spoons and glass, and corn husks or broccoli stems wrapped around an impeller.
- 4Turn the plate
InSinkErator: put the wrench in the bottom hex hole and work it back and forth until it makes a full turn, then take it out. Moen and Waste King: work from the sink opening with the wrench or a wooden spoon.
- 5Let it cool and reset
Give the motor a few minutes. InSinkErator says 3–5. Then press the red reset button until it clicks.
- 6Test with cold water
Put the guard back, plug in, run cold water and switch on. If it hums again, power off and repeat once.
On a Moen or Waste King, the impellers are the two small lugs on the turntable. Waste King says they don’t need to swing freely themselves; you’re just using one to push the plate around. On an InSinkErator, the bottom hex hole turns the motor shaft directly, which is why its wrench works from below and never touches the grind chamber.
My call: buy the wrench for your brand and leave it taped to the side of the unit. It fixes the most common failure without taking anything apart. If you’re stuck without one, an Allen key that fits snugly in the InSinkErator hole turns it the same way, and a wooden spoon handle works from the top on Moen and Waste King.
If you have to clear the same jam every week, look at what goes in. Moen says compact units aren’t built for bones or fibrous husks. InSinkErator lists clam and oyster shells, glass, china, plastic and metal as things that never go in. More on that in the myths section.
Still humming after two clears and a reset? The humming but not spinning guide goes deeper on seized bearings and capacitor faults.
Press the reset only after the jam is clear
The reset is an overload protector. Waste King says it trips when a jammed plate makes the motor overheat, so a stuck unit often goes from humming to silent. Press it before the jam is clear and it trips again.
If it pops back out, the motor is still hot; give it more time. The reset button guide covers where each brand hides it and what to do when it won’t stay in.
Disposal completely silent: check the power
No hum at all means no power is reaching the motor. Work from the outlet back to the panel.
Moen’s first test is simple: unplug the disposal and plug in a hair dryer, lamp or phone charger. If that works, plug the disposal back in, press the red reset and try it. If the lamp doesn’t work either, the problem is upstream of the disposal.
Check the breaker panel for a tripped breaker, and look for a GFCI outlet nearby with its test button popped. Many kitchens put the disposal outlet on a switched circuit, so leave the wall switch on while you test.
A plug-in tester is faster than a lamp. The Klein RT210 reads a 120 V outlet’s wiring with its lights and can trip a GFCI to prove it works. If the outlet reads dead with the breaker on, Moen says the outlet may be broken and you may need an electrician.
Hard-wired units have no plug to test. Switch the breaker off and on once. If it’s still silent after a reset, don’t open the wiring box yourself; that one is for an electrician.
How your disposal turns on changes what can fail
| Switch type | How it works | What fails | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall switch | A switch on the wall powers the disposal’s outlet | Switch, outlet or breaker | Lamp test with the switch on; breaker |
| Batch feed | Turning the stopper presses a switch inside the unit | Moen: the internal switch sticks or breaks and the unit won’t start | Stopper seated and turned fully; reset button |
| Air switch | A button on the sink pushes air down a tube to a control box at the outlet | Tube pulled off or split | Moen: make sure the tube is connected at both ends and not damaged |
| Fiber optic (older Moen) | A light signal from a sink button | Moen calls it obsolete, with a 1-year warranty | Moen suggests replacing it with an air switch |
An air switch tube sits right where trash cans and cleaning bottles get shoved, so check it first. Push the tube back onto the button’s nipple and the control box, then try it. If you need a new one, the air switch guide compares the kits that fit.
A batch feed unit won’t run with the stopper out, by design. That’s a feature, not a fault, so turn the stopper all the way before you decide it’s broken.
Disposal runs but the sink won’t drain
If the motor spins and water still sits in the sink, the disposal is fine. The clog is below it.
- 1Run it with plenty of cold water
InSinkErator says to keep cold water running while grinding and for a few seconds after. Ground food with too little water settles in the trap.
- 2Check the other bowl
On a double sink, water rising in the second bowl means the clog is past the point where the two drains join.
- 3New disposal? Check the dishwasher plug
InSinkErator ships its units with a plug in the dishwasher inlet. It must be knocked out before the dishwasher hose goes on, or the dishwasher may overflow.
- 4Clear the trap
Put a bucket under the trap, loosen the slip nuts by hand and pull out what’s packed in it. Coffee grounds, rice and peels are the usual culprits.
- 5Snake the drain arm
If the trap is clean, the clog is in the pipe going into the wall. A small hand snake reaches it.
- 6Look at the pitch
InSinkErator wants the drain line sloped at least 1/4 in. per foot, with the drain connection lower than the disposal outlet. A flat run keeps water standing in the unit.
Don’t pour chemical drain cleaner into a disposal. Moen says it corrodes the metal parts and voids every warranty; InSinkErator lists caustic drain cleaners as something never to put in.
Grease is the slow version of this problem. InSinkErator’s manual says never to pour grease or fat down the disposal or any drain, because it builds up in the pipes. It goes in a jar or can and then in the trash.
If the dishwasher is the one backing up, the dishwasher not draining guide covers the hose and air gap. For a clog past the wall, the how to unclog a drain guide picks up from here.
Can you use the sink while the disposal is broken?
Yes, if water still drains. A disposal that won’t spin is just a short section of pipe. Water passes through the grind chamber and out the discharge tube.
Keep food out of it until it’s fixed, though. Scraps sit in the chamber and start to smell, and a stuck plate won’t clear them. If water is standing in the sink, stop using that sink and the dishwasher until the clog is clear, because the dishwasher hose drains into the disposal’s inlet.
A disposal that’s leaking from its own body is different. Turn it off, put a bowl under it and don’t run water through that side until it’s replaced.
How to tell the motor is done
Makers draw the line in the same place. Moen says if the outlet has power and the reset doesn’t bring it back, the disposal may need replacing. Waste King says if the wiring, switch and breaker are all fine, the problem is likely inside the unit and it may need replacing.
Before you buy, check the warranty. InSinkErator’s warranties run 1–3 years on its Standard series, 4–7 on Power and 8–10 on Quiet. The model and serial are on the label you found earlier.
| What you see | Repair or replace? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hums, frees with the wrench, runs again | Repair: it’s fixed | That was a jam, not a failure |
| Hums and won’t turn even with the wrench | Usually replace | The shaft or bearings are seized |
| Silent with power at the outlet after a reset | Usually replace | Moen and Waste King both point to the motor or internal switch |
| Drips from a seam on the body | Replace | Internal seals have failed; it can’t be tightened |
| Drips from the sink flange, hose or tube | Repair | Those are separate joints that can be resealed or tightened |
InSinkErator units twist on and off the same mounting ring, so a new InSinkErator often goes in without touching the sink flange. The replacement cost guide breaks down parts and labor, and the best garbage disposal guide compares the units worth putting in.
Tools that fix most disposal problems
Four tools cover the fixes above. Each was new and in stock on the day of the update. Prices come from Amazon with the time they were read.
1037 unjamming wrench
$10.45 at Amazon
Check it on AmazonPrice as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
Klein RT210 tester
$10.98 at Amazon
Check it on AmazonPrice as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
OXO 12-inch tongs
$14.99 at Amazon
Check it on AmazonPrice as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
| Tool | Key specs | Pick it if | Skip it if |
|---|---|---|---|
| InSinkErator Jam-Buster | Model WRN-00, metal hex wrench, fits the bottom hole on InSinkErator units | Your disposal says InSinkErator and it hums or won’t turn. | You own a Moen or Waste King. They turn from the top. |
| 1037 unjamming wrench | Part 1037, made by Moen, fits all Waste King and Moen disposals | Your Moen or Waste King unit is jammed and you don’t have the wrench that came with it. | You have a Moen GT. Moen says a wooden spoon does the job. |
| Klein RT210 tester | Reads 110/125 V 3-wire outlets, trips GFCIs, rated for a 6.6 ft drop | The disposal is silent and you want to know if the outlet is live. | Your unit is hard-wired with no plug. |
| OXO 12-inch tongs | 12 in. long, nylon heads, locks closed | You need to lift a bone, cap or spoon out of the grind chamber. | The object is wedged under the plate. Free the plate with the wrench first. |
I’ve used each of these. InSinkErator’s manual calls for long-handled tongs or pliers to pull objects out, never your hand, which is why the tongs earn a spot.
A torn splash guard lets things fall in more often. If yours is split, the splash guard replacement guide shows which guard fits which mount.
Things people do that make it worse
| What people try | What actually happens |
|---|---|
| Flipping the switch over and over on a humming unit | The motor heats up and trips its overload. Moen says repeat tries can trip the internal breaker. |
| Pouring drain cleaner in to free it | Moen says it corrodes metal parts and voids the warranty. It does nothing to a jam. |
| Running hot water with grease | Grease cools and sticks further down. InSinkErator says to run cold water and keep grease out of every drain. |
| Ice cubes to sharpen the blades | There are no blades. InSinkErator says lugs on a spinning plate push food against a fixed grind ring. |
| Reaching in to feel for the jam | Every maker says never put a hand inside. Use tongs and a flashlight. |
When to call a plumber or an electrician
The outlet is dead with the breaker on
That’s an electrical fault. Moen points you to an electrician.
It’s hard-wired and silent
The wiring box on the unit carries 120 V. Leave it to a licensed electrician.
The body leaks or the clog is past the wall
A new unit or a drain line cleaning is a plumbing job if you’re not comfortable under the sink.
Questions people ask
Why is my garbage disposal not working but has power?
If it hums, the plate is jammed; switch off, turn it with the wrench and press the reset. If it’s silent with power at the outlet, press the reset. If it still won’t run, Moen says the disposal may need replacing.
Can you still use your sink if the garbage disposal is not working?
Yes, as long as water drains. Keep food out of it until it’s fixed. If water stands in the sink, stop using it and the dishwasher until the clog is cleared.
How do I know if my garbage disposal motor is burned out?
Test the outlet with a lamp, clear any jam and press the reset. If it’s still silent, or it hums and won’t turn even with the wrench, the motor or its switch has likely failed.
How do I reset a garbage disposal without a reset button?
Some InSinkErator Evolution models reset on their own after they cool. Switch off, clear any jam, wait a few minutes and try again. If it stays silent, check the breaker and outlet.
Why does my garbage disposal hum but not work?
Something is wedged between the plate and the grind ring. Switch off, take it out with tongs, turn the plate with the wrench for your brand, then press the reset.
How long does a garbage disposal last?
Makers publish warranty lengths, not lifespans. InSinkErator’s run from 1–3 years on its Standard series up to 8–10 years on its Quiet series.
How I put this together
Why trust me
I’m Isaac Daniels, a licensed journeyman plumber in Georgia (license #JP507711). I’ve used every tool listed here. The steps and numbers come from InSinkErator, Moen and Waste King documents read on Oct 22, 2026.
How I pick
- Tools only, matched to the disposal brand they fit.
- Genuine branded tools, new and in stock on the day of the update.
- No scores: these tools do different jobs, so they’re listed as a kit.
- Prices come from Amazon’s API with the time they were read.
Sources
- InSinkErator, Badger Series Installation, Care and Use Manual (138440) and FWD-1/FWD-2 manual (74168).
- InSinkErator, Frequently Asked Questions and Garbage Disposal Myths pages (insinkerator.com).
- Moen, “How to Unjam a Garbage Disposal” (solutions.moen.com, updated Dec 2, 2025).
- Moen, “Garbage Disposal Has No Power” (solutions.moen.com, updated Apr 15, 2025).
- Moen, “Can I Use Drain Cleaners with the Garbage Disposal” (solutions.moen.com, updated Sep 24, 2020).
- Waste King, Support FAQ (wasteking.com/support/faq), jam, reset and power answers.
- Klein Tools RT210 listing details and InSinkErator WRN-00 listing details (Amazon Creators API, Oct 22, 2026).