How to Unfreeze a Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal may seem "frozen" when you can hear the sound from the power being switched on, but no grinding noise or action. This freezing is due to an object being lodged in the disposal, preventing the flywheel from turning. When the flywheel can't turn, it can't engage the impellers, which chop up food and waste. Luckily, you can "unfreeze" a garbage disposal fairly quickly.

Flashlight
Pliers or tongs
Hex wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Completely disconnect the power flow from the garbage disposal by flipping the switch that controls this appliance in your breaker box.
- 2
  Take a look down the drain by shining a flashlight and poking around with a pair of tongs or pliers.
- 3
  Remove any visible debris that might be jamming the disposal.
- 4
  Find the hole shaped like a hexagon that's located on the underside of the disposal underneath the sink.
- 5
  Place a hex wrench into this hole and turn the wrench in a complete circle both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
- 6
  Turn the breaker back on, turn on the faucet, and flip the switch to the disposal to see if it is working.

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