My Garbage Disposal is Stuck

Garbage disposals are designed to chop food washed down the drain of your kitchen sink so that it may pass through the pipes. Occasionally, a solid piece of food or other material may become lodged under the blades, preventing them from rotating. If the blades are stuck, you should immediately turn off the garbage disposal, as allowing the motor to run while the blades are stuck may cause the motor to burn out. Once the disposal is turned off, you can begin to free the stuck blade.

Allen wrench
Tongs
Broom stick

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the garbage disposal, Unplug it from the wall. The garbage disposal will often be plugged into an outlet located below the sink. If you are unable to unplug the disposal, turn off the power to the disposal in your fuse box.
- 2
  Remove the rubber splash guard from the sink drain by pulling it straight out.
- 3
  Look into the disposal from the top of the sink to see if any objects have been inserted into the disposal, preventing it from rotating. Remove any objects using tongs.
- 4
  Attempt to turn the blades by inserting an Allen wrench into the hexagon hole on the bottom of the garbage disposal, then turning. If the blade will not immediately move, wiggle it back and forth to release the blockage. Continue until the blade turns freely 360 degrees. If your disposal does not have an hexagon hole on the bottom, insert a broom stick from the top and attempt to turn the blade.
- 5
  Press the "Reset" button on the bottom of the disposal until it clicks, then restore power.

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