Let me guess:
You turned on your garbage disposal, it hummed for a second… then stopped.
Now it won’t make a sound — or maybe it’s just buzzing.

Sound about right?

Here’s the good news:

You might not need a plumber. You might just need a reset.

But there’s a right way to do it — and a few things to check along the way.
Let me show you exactly how I reset disposals on service calls in Sacramento.

First — Kill the Power

Before you do anything, turn off the switch.
Even better, unplug the unit under the sink if there’s an outlet.
Safety first.

No outlet? You can shut off the breaker at the panel just to be sure.

Step 1: Find the Reset Button

Look underneath your disposal — right in the center of the bottom.
You’ll see a little red or black button. That’s the reset.

If it’s popped out, that means the unit overheated or got jammed and shut itself off.

Press it in until you feel a soft click.
That means it’s reset.

Still no noise? Keep going.

Step 2: Check for a Jam

Grab a flashlight and look down into the disposal.
See anything stuck? (Spoons, peach pits, chicken bones, broken glass — I’ve seen it all.)

If there’s something in there:

• Don’t use your hand
• Use pliers or tongs to remove it
• Try spinning the blades with a hex key (there’s a slot under the unit)

No jam? Try powering it back on.

Step 3: Try It Again (With Cold Water Running)

Turn the water on — cold only.
Then flip the disposal switch again.

If it runs: you’re good.
If it just hums: it might still be jammed.
If it clicks and shuts off again: the motor’s overheating, or something’s wrong inside.

When Reset Won’t Help

Resetting the disposal won’t fix:

• A burned-out motor
• A dead wall switch or outlet
• A bad internal circuit board (yes, they have one)
• Overloaded wiring if too many appliances are on the same breaker

If you’ve reset it and it still doesn’t work — that’s when I tell customers:

“Call me. We’ll figure out what’s going on — and if the unit needs repair or replacement.”

Real Talk: I Had One This Week

Lady in East Sacramento said, “It just stopped — nothing happens.”
Reset button was out. Pushed it. Still dead.
Outlet? Dead too. Turned out the GFCI had tripped.

Clicked the outlet back on → unit roared back to life.

No parts needed. No charge. Just knowledge.

What We Do at Golden Valley Plumbing

If your disposal won’t reset or still won’t run, we’ll:

• Check power and wiring
• Look for internal jams or burnt motors
• Replace worn-out units if needed
• Recommend upgrades if your model is outdated or undersized

Not sure what’s wrong? Call Golden Valley Plumbing — we’ll get your kitchen back in business, no stress.

Final Word

Sometimes all it takes is a little red button.
Sometimes it takes a new motor.

But now you know how to reset a disposal the right way — and when to call someone like me.