Your kitchen sink is arguably the busiest area of your kitchen. It’s where you prepare food, clean dishes, and deal with any other messes that come up during meal prep. Your kitchen sink is also home to an important appliance—the garbage disposal.
However, there are unprecedented times when your garbage disposal is not functioning properly. Many homeowners still don’t know how to reset their garbage disposal, which leads them to call a professional for assistance.
Though it is advisable to call professional help, there are certain cases when you can reset your garbage disposal by yourself. This will not only save you some money but also help you learn more about the appliance.
If you are among those who don’t know where the reset button is located, you should not worry. Most modern garbage disposals have a red reset button located on the bottom side of the unit. It usually looks like a small red button with an image of a circle with a square inside it.
What’s the Purpose of the Garbage Disposal Reset Button?
So what really is the purpose of the garbage disposal reset button? While it can be used to reset the appliance, its main purpose is to protect it from power surges and overloads. When in use, the garbage disposal motor can become over heated, and this is when the reset button comes in handy.
Pressing it will shut down the motor preventing it from overheating and suffering damage. In such cases, you can wait for a couple of minutes before pressing the reset button again to turn it back on.
When Do You Need to Reset Garbage Disposal?
It’s best to reset your garbage disposal if you notice any of these issues:
When the Garbage Disposal Won’t Turn On
One of the common reasons why homeowners need to reset the garbage disposal is if it won’t turn on. Most likely, this happens due to a power overload or an incorrect wiring connection in the switch that controls your garbage disposal.
When the Motor Hums But Won’t Grind
Just like any other appliance, garbage disposals have a motor that runs the blades. When you notice that your garbage disposal is making humming noises but won’t grind, the issue could be that the flywheel has become jammed.
When the Disposal Clogs
This is the most common issue for many garbage disposal owners. There are many things that can cause a clogging, such as:
- Bones
- Vegetable Peels
- Coffee Grounds
- Grease & Oil
If you notice any of these items at your disposal, it’s best to reset them and prevent any further damage. But before doing that, it is important to properly know how to reset the garbage disposal.
How To Reset Your Garbage Disposal
Let’s talk about the actual resetting process. Before proceeding, make sure that you have unplugged the garbage disposal from its power source and turned off the switch that controls it. You don’t want to get zapped while resetting the appliance.
Once you have confirmed that the garbage disposal is not connected to a power source, feel free to carefully press the reset button located at the bottom side of the unit. If you notice that the reset button is not responding, it might be because it has been damaged or clogged with food particles.
How to Fix a Garbage Disposal When the Reset Button Doesn’t Work
Moving forward, if you have a reset button that has stopped responding, there is still a chance that the appliance is only clogged and needed to be manually cleared. To do this, you will need three tools: pliers, a flashlight, and an Allen wrench.
Most garbage disposals come with their own Allen wrench so you don’t have to purchase one.
- 1st Step: With the flashlight, take a look at the bottom of the unit. This should help you get an idea about what is clogging your garbage disposal.
- 2nd Step: With the Allen wrench, turn the tube that is located at the bottom of the garbage disposal in a counterclockwise direction. This should allow you to access the impeller.
- 3rd Step: Use a pair of pliers to remove any debris such as bones, vegetable peels, or other items that are clogging the garbage disposal.
- 4th Step: Once you are done removing all of the debris, use the Allen wrench to turn the tube back in a clockwise direction. This should help you reattach it to its original position.
- 5th Step: Finally, plug the garbage disposal back into its power source and turn it on with the switch.
If you’ve done these steps and still experience issues with your garbage disposal, it is best to contact a professional for help.
Key Takeaway
Now you know where the reset button is located and how to fix your garbage disposal when the reset button doesn’t work. Remember, if you ever experience any issues with your garbage disposal, it is best not to try and fix them on your own. Contact a professional for help.
If you are in Mesa, AZ, or other nearby areas, feel free to contact P&L Plumbing. Aside from helping you with your garbage disposals, we also offer other services including water heater installation and repair, residential plumbing services, and hydro jetting. Call us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you!
