Garbage Disposal Jammed? How to Free It Safely

A jammed garbage disposal usually makes a humming sound when you turn it on — the motor is trying to spin, but something is blocking the blades. This is a common problem with a simple fix, but you need to do it safely.

Safety First — Before You Start

Important: The disposal blades are sharp even when the power is off. Never put your hand inside.

Before any repair:

  1. Turn OFF the wall switch
  2. Unplug the disposal from the outlet under the sink, OR turn off the circuit breaker
  3. Verify power is off — flip the switch to confirm nothing happens
  4. Use pliers or tongs to remove objects, never your fingers

With power confirmed off, you can safely work on the jam.

Video Guide

Video: “4 Ways to Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal” by Apartment Maintenance Pro

Understanding How a Jam Happens

Before diving into fixes, it helps to understand what’s happening inside.

A garbage disposal has three main parts working together:

  1. Electric motor — Sits at the bottom, spins at 1,700-2,800 RPM
  2. Flywheel — A flat spinning plate with metal fins called impellers
  3. Grind ring — Stationary ring around the flywheel with grooves

When you flip the switch, the motor spins the flywheel. The impellers fling food scraps outward against the grind ring, breaking them into particles small enough to wash down the drain.

A jam happens when something gets wedged between the impellers and the grind ring, stopping the flywheel from turning. The motor doesn’t know something is wrong — it just keeps trying to spin, pulling more electrical current and generating that distinctive humming sound.

Why the hum matters: If you hear the disposal humming, the motor is getting power and trying to work. That’s good news — it means the motor isn’t dead. You just need to free the jam. But don’t let it hum for more than 10-15 seconds at a time. Extended humming overheats the motor and can cause permanent damage.

The Allen Wrench Method (Best Option)

This is the most effective way to free a jammed disposal. It gives you leverage from below where the flywheel connects to the motor shaft.

What You Need

  • 1/4” Allen wrench (most disposals come with one — check your junk drawer)
  • Flashlight
  • Pliers or long tongs
  • Bucket or towels (in case of minor water drips)

Where to Find an Allen Wrench

Most disposals include a specialized wrench in the box — it’s often taped to the side of the unit when new. Check these places:

  • Junk drawer
  • Under the sink (taped to pipes or disposal)
  • Toolbox or bike repair kit (most sets include 1/4”)
  • Hardware stores sell them for $2-5
  • InSinkErator sells a “Jam-Buster” wrench specifically designed for this

Any 1/4” (6mm) Allen key works. The specialized disposal wrenches just have an offset design for easier turning.

Steps

  1. Find the hex socket — Look at the very bottom of the disposal unit under the sink. You’ll see a hex-shaped hole in the center, about 1/4” across. This is specifically designed for unjamming.

  2. Insert the Allen wrench — Push a 1/4” Allen wrench into the hole until you feel it engage with the flywheel shaft. It should fit snugly.

  3. Rotate back and forth — Turn the wrench clockwise, then counterclockwise. You’ll feel resistance where the obstruction is stuck. Work it back and forth like you’re loosening a stubborn jar lid:

    • Push clockwise, feel the resistance
    • Push counter-clockwise, feel the resistance
    • Repeat, gradually increasing your range of motion
    • After several back-and-forth motions, you should feel the flywheel break free
    • Keep working until it rotates freely 360° in both directions

  4. Check inside the disposal — Shine a flashlight into the disposal from above. Look for whatever caused the jam.

  5. Remove the debris — Use pliers or tongs to grab and remove the obstruction. Common culprits: bones, fruit pits, silverware, glass, bottle caps.

  6. Press the reset button — The small red button on the bottom may have popped out when the motor strained against the jam. Press firmly until it clicks.

  7. Restore power and test — Plug it back in or turn on the breaker. Run cold water, then flip the wall switch. The disposal should run normally.

The flywheel is the spinning plate with the “teeth” that grind food. When it’s jammed, the motor tries to turn it but can’t, which creates that humming sound you hear.

No Allen Wrench? Try This

If you don’t have a 1/4” Allen wrench, you can free the jam from above. These alternative methods work, but they give you less leverage than the Allen wrench approach.

Wooden Spoon Method

  1. Insert a wooden spoon handle or thick wooden dowel into the disposal from the top
  2. Press the handle against one of the impeller blades (the fins on the spinning plate)
  3. Push firmly to rotate the flywheel manually
  4. Work it back and forth until it moves freely
  5. Remove debris, reset, and test

This works but gives you less leverage than the Allen wrench method. For stubborn jams, find a 1/4” Allen wrench (any hardware store, or check a bike repair kit).

Broom Handle Method

Similar to the wooden spoon, but for stubborn jams that need more force:

  1. Use a wooden broom handle or thick dowel
  2. Position the end against an impeller blade
  3. Apply firm, steady pressure to rotate the flywheel
  4. Work back and forth until free

The longer handle gives you more leverage than a wooden spoon.

What NOT to Use

  • Screwdriver — Can slip and damage the disposal or injure you
  • Metal utensils — Can scratch components and slip unpredictably
  • Your hand — Never, even with power off — the impellers are sharp
  • Pliers from above — Can damage the grinding components
  • Anything electrical — Don’t try to “jump” the motor

Disposals Without a Hex Hole

Some older or budget models don’t have the service socket on the bottom. In this case:

  • Use the wooden spoon or broom handle method from above
  • Apply more force since you can’t use the wrench method
  • If the jam is truly stuck, you may need to remove the disposal to access the flywheel directly (this is advanced and usually means it’s time for a new unit)

Remove the Obstruction

Once the flywheel moves freely, remove whatever caused the jam:

  1. Shine a flashlight into the disposal
  2. Identify the object — common items include:
    • Bones (chicken, fish)
    • Fruit pits (peach, avocado, cherry)
    • Silverware (spoons often fall in)
    • Glass shards
    • Bottle caps
    • Hard vegetable stems
  3. Use pliers or tongs to grab and remove
  4. If you can’t see anything, small pieces may flush out when you run the disposal

Reset and Test

After clearing the jam:

  1. Press the red reset button on the bottom (may have popped out)
  2. Plug in the disposal or turn the breaker back on
  3. Turn on cold water
  4. Flip the wall switch
  5. If it runs normally, let it run for 30 seconds to clear any remaining debris
  6. If it still hums, repeat the unjamming process — something may still be stuck
  7. If completely silent, see still not working

After successfully clearing the jam, see reset after clearing for more details on the reset process.

Why Disposals Jam (And How to Prevent It)

Understanding what causes jams helps you avoid them.

Common Causes

  • Hard items: Bones, fruit pits, seafood shells
  • Fibrous foods: Celery, corn husks, onion skins, artichokes
  • Starchy foods: Pasta, rice, potato peels (expand and create paste)
  • Non-food items: Silverware, twist ties, rubber bands, glass

Prevention Tips

  • Run cold water before, during, and 15 seconds after using the disposal
  • Feed waste gradually — small amounts at a time, not everything at once
  • Keep problem items out — bones in the trash, pits in compost
  • Run the disposal regularly — even without waste, this prevents rust and buildup
  • Check before running — glance in to make sure no silverware fell in

If your disposal is making a humming noise, it’s likely jammed. The fix is the same.

Troubleshooting: Jam Won’t Clear

If you’ve tried the Allen wrench method but the disposal still won’t work:

Flywheel moves but disposal still hums:

  • There may be multiple objects stuck
  • Check around the entire perimeter of the grind ring
  • Look for small items like twist ties or pits wedged in grooves

Can’t feel any resistance but flywheel won’t turn:

  • The motor may be damaged, not jammed
  • If it went from humming to silent, the motor burned out
  • Check for a burning smell — indicates motor failure

Reset button keeps popping out:

  • The motor needs to cool down (wait 15-20 minutes)
  • If it still won’t stay in after cooling, motor damage is likely

Disposal works but makes grinding/clicking noise:

  • Something is still partially stuck
  • Small debris may be caught between impellers and grind ring
  • Run with cold water to help flush it out

When to Call a Professional

Most jams are DIY-fixable. But call a plumber if:

  • The jam won’t clear after multiple attempts with the Allen wrench method
  • You smell burning — indicates motor damage requiring replacement
  • The reset keeps tripping immediately after resetting (motor strain)
  • You’re not comfortable reaching under the sink or working with the power off
  • The disposal is hardwired and you can’t easily cut power
  • Visible damage to the disposal body or mounting

A plumber can diagnose whether the unit is salvageable or if it’s time for a replacement.

FAQ

How do you unjam a garbage disposal?

Insert a 1/4” Allen wrench into the hex hole on the bottom of the disposal and rotate back and forth until the flywheel moves freely. Remove the obstruction with pliers, then reset and test.

What size Allen wrench for a garbage disposal?

1/4 inch (6mm) fits most disposals including InSinkErator, Waste King, Moen, and GE. Many units come with one in the box — check your junk drawer or under the sink.

Can I unjam a disposal without tools?

Yes — use a wooden spoon handle from the top to manually rotate the flywheel. It works but has less leverage than the Allen wrench method from below.

Why does my disposal keep jamming?

Common causes: putting hard items down (bones, fruit pits), fibrous vegetables, or feeding too much waste at once. Always run cold water and feed waste gradually.

How do I know if my disposal is jammed or broken?

A jammed disposal hums when you turn it on — the motor is trying to spin but can’t. A broken disposal is either completely silent (power or motor issue) or makes grinding noises but won’t process food (blade or grind ring damage). The humming sound is actually good news — it means the motor still works.

Is it safe to unjam a disposal myself?

Yes, if you follow proper safety procedures. Always turn off the wall switch AND unplug the unit or flip the circuit breaker before working on it. Never put your hand inside, even with power off. Use the Allen wrench method from below or tools like pliers and tongs from above.

How long should I let a disposal hum before turning it off?

No more than 10-15 seconds. Extended humming means the motor is straining against a jam, generating heat that can damage the windings. Turn it off, clear the jam, then try again. Repeated long hums can permanently damage the motor.

Related Guides

Disposal Humming?

Related jamming symptoms

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Reset After Unjamming

Always reset after clearing a jam

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