Garbage Disposal Reset Button

Garbage disposals are machines you may not fully comprehend until they stop working. Then fear sets in as you determine whether to go online or seek a professional immediately because most individuals don’t know how a garbage disposal works or where to begin repairing one.

This is also why many individuals are unaware of the disposal’s built-in safety mechanism, which will shut off the device automatically if there is a jam or overheating.

There is a garbage disposal reset button on the bottom or side, similar to a GFCI electrical outlet’s red button, that pops out when the safety mechanism is activated. If there’s nothing wrong with the appliance, pressing this button will reset it, saving your quality time that would have been spent on a garbage repair professional. Continue reading to find out how to locate and reset garbage disposal.

Do All Garbage Disposals Have A Reset Button?

Many garbage disposals have a reset button, typically red, and located on the bottom or back of the device. Including a reset button is considered an industry standard by most manufacturers.

If you have an older version of garbage disposal, it may or may not have the handy little button. Garbage disposals typically last around ten years before they need to be replaced. If your gadget is on the older end of the spectrum, there’s a chance it doesn’t feature a reset button.

There are no worries if your garbage disposal does not include a reset button and you are unsure how to perform one. That will be addressed in several parts of this article.

Why Does A Garbage Disposal Need To Be Reset?

From time to time, your garbage disposal will require resetting for many reasons, such as clogs, overheating, or motor overloads. The reason it trips is actually to protect the device from burning out. When the circuit breaker trips, you’ll notice the reset button pops out about a quarter of an inch.

How to Reset Button on a Garbage Disposal?

The procedure for resetting garbage disposal is different for each model. Because there are numerous brands, each with its model, we’ll briefly describe how to reset the gadget. Moen, InSinkErator, Waste King, and Whirlaway are all major manufacturers of several distinct models, which complicates providing a catch-all solution.

Many people have opted for the InSinkErator garbage disposal, as it is one of the best-selling options in the United States. This guide will give a good idea to reset your disposal if you have this particular model or any other brand.

The garbage disposal usually shuts down because of a clog. To reset it, you’ll need to clear the clog and press the button on the bottom of the canister. Here’s what else you’ll need:

InSinkErator Clog-Clearing Wrenchette

First, turn off the switch that controls the device to reset the system. Unplug the unit. After that, insert the wrenchette into the disposal canister’s bottom slot. Spin the rotor back and forth using the wrenchette. This aids in debris removal from between the rotor and shredding plate gap.

There is a flywheel inside of it that turns the impellers to grind food waste. If this gets stuck, the impellers won’t be able to rotate, which will lead to a slew of problems. Turn on ( The water might assist with circulation by turning on.) Continue moving the rotor until it no longer catches.

To clear the clog, first, remove the wrenchette. Plug in the unit, press the red reset button, turn on the faucet, and flip the switch. Check that it’s working properly. If there’s still a clog, repeat this process several times until it clears completely.

How to Reset A Garbage Disposal Without a Reset Button?

If your garbage disposal does not have a reset button, you’ll need to follow these steps:

First, locate the circuit breaker box and trip the switch that controls your garbage disposal. This will cut power to the device. After that, unscrew the garbage disposal from the sink’s mounting ring. Doing this gives you access to the flywheel inside of it.

There is a small hole in the center of the flywheel. Use an Allen wrench or a hex key to insert it and turn clockwise about a quarter turn. This should free up any jams inside of it. If there’s still resistance, try turning it further until it moves freely.

Once that’s done, reverse the process- put everything back together and turn on the power. Your garbage disposal should now be reset and working properly.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve followed the steps above and your garbage disposal still isn’t working, the problem may be with the device itself. In that case, you’ll need to call a professional to look at it.

Attempting to repair garbage disposal on your own can be dangerous. Please leave it to the experts if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself.

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