How to Adjust a Garbage Disposal

Turn off the electrical power to your garbage disposal at the breaker box.

Shine a flashlight into the mouth of your sink's drain so that you can take a look at the uppermost part of the garbage disposal. If there is any obvious debris, remove it with a pair of tongs.

Locate the small hole in the center of the underside of your garbage disposal. You may need a flashlight since this will be under your sink.

Insert a hexagonal-shaped wrench, also known as a hex wrench or Allen key, into the hole. Most disposals come with a wrench that is included for adjustments. If you don't have the original wrench, you can buy a replacement at a hardware store.

Turn the wrench in a clockwise direction for two to three revolutions in order to turn the flywheel (the part that grinds food). By the second or third revolution, the flywheel should turn with little or no resistance.

Turn on the breaker. While running water into the sink, turn on the garbage disposal's switch to make sure that the adjustment worked.