Insinkerator Reset Button Not Working: Reasons & Solutions

This guide on InSinkErator Reset Button Not Working will break down:

• What’s the purpose of the reset button on your garbage disposal?
• What causes the reset button on InSinkErator to stop working?
• How can I tell if my InSinkErator needs to be reset?

In This Article:

• What Does The Reset Button On An InSinkErator Do?
• Why Is My Insinkerator Reset Button Not Working?
  • Jammed Garbage Disposal
  • Overloaded Garbage Disposal 
  • Worn-Out Motor
  • Faulty Reset Button
  • Electric Issues
• How Can I Tell If My InSinkErator Needs To Be Reset?
• FAQs
• Conclusion

What Does The Reset Button On An InSinkErator Do?

The reset button on InSinkErator Garbage Disposal is a safety feature. It cuts the electric supply off when your garbage disposal experiences a jam to protect the unit from burning out. 

You can locate the reset button at the bottom of the garbage disposal. It’s red and square. 

When the unit trips the reset button, the reset button will drop down to a quarter of an inch. 

Press the reset button inward to keep it in its position. Before pressing the reset button, verify that you unplug the garbage disposal from the electric outlet. 

This activity will help you reset your garbage disposal and restore its functionality.

Check out this article on the InSinkErator Garbage Disposal Reset Button to learn more about the reset button and its functionality. 

Why Is My Insinkerator Reset Button Not Working?

InSinkErator Garbage Disposal Reset Button won’t work due to a jam in the grinding chamber, overloading, worn-out motor bearings, defective reset button, and electric issues.

Jammed Garbage Disposal

A blockage in the grinding chamber is the primary cause of the reset button repeatedly popping out.

When the garbage disposal gets clogged, the impellers fail to rotate freely. It strains the disposal motor and overheats the motor due to overwork.

And guess what- the reset button gets popped out due to overheating and cuts the electric supply off.

How To Unjam Your InSinkErator Garbage Disposal:

To unjam your garbage disposal, follow these step-by-step instructions:

• Turn off your garbage disposal and detach it from the electric connection.
• Use a flashlight to detect the blockage in the grinding chamber.
• Insert an Allen wrench into the hex hole at the bottom of the unit and rotate the wrench back & forth until the blockage breaks free.
• Release the restriction using long-handled pliers.
• Reconnect the garbage disposal with the electric power source.
• Run cold water and turn on your garbage disposal. 

Overloaded Garbage Disposal

If you overload the grinding chamber with food waste, it will cause a blockage. 

Due to overload, the motor will run longer to rotate the impellers. Consequently, the motor gets overheated and causes the reset button to trip to prevent motor burnout. 

Besides, there is a risk of impellers stuck up due to overloading the grinding chamber with food waste. 

How To Fix: 

Avoiding excess food waste to put in the garbage disposal will be a simple fix to this issue. 

Cut a big chunk of food waste into pieces to make it easy for the impellers to grind. 

Run cold water before, during, and after grinding the food waste to let the food particles flush down the plumbing smoothly. 

Worn-Out Motor

A defective motor or worn-out bearings can cause the reset button to trip. Due to the non-serviceable motor, the impellers fail to rotate as they don’t get sufficient energy. 

Unfortunately, the garbage disposal motor is unrepairable. In plain words, replacing the garbage disposal with a new one will be compulsory. 

Faulty Reset Button

Sometimes, the reset button gets faulty and fails to measure the voltage reading. 

As a result, the reset button functions erratically and trips itself to protect the garbage disposal. 

I recommend you contact a certified plumber to replace the reset button.

Electric Issues

If the circuit breaker for the garbage disposal gets tripped, you will never turn on your garbage disposal. Nonetheless, a tripped circuit breaker can pop out the reset button. 

How To Fix:

Check the circuit breaker for your garbage disposal. If it gets tripped, reset it by flipping the circuit breaker to the On position. 

How Can I Tell If My InSinkErator Needs To Be Reset?

Here are the signs that indicate you need to reset your garbage disposal:

• You fail to operate the garbage disposal while it is securely plugged into the electrical outlet.

• Your garbage disposal only hums but can’t grind the food waste. A humming noise from the disposal indicates a restriction in the garbage disposal.

• The garbage disposal will shut down suddenly during operation. 

FAQs

How do I manually clear a jam in my InSinkErator?

To manually clear a jam in your InSinkErator, follow these steps:

• Unplug your garbage disposal from the electric outlet.
• Light the flashlight to determine the restriction in the grinding chamber.
• Insert the Allen wrench into the center hole underneath the unit and rotate the wrench back & forth. Repeat this two to three times to dislodge the food debris.
• Use tongs or long-handled pliers to remove the blockage.
• Restore the power to the unit.
• Turn on the cold water and the garbage disposal.

When should I call a professional for my InSinkErator?

If the DIY troubleshooting steps fail to resolve your InSinkErator Garbage Disposal issues, call a professional to fix the critical problem. 

How can I prevent future reset button issues with my InSinkErator?

Regular garbage disposal maintenance (like avoiding unprohibited food waste and overloading the system) can help you prevent reset button issues in the future. 

Can using an InSinkErator with a faulty reset button cause damage?

Yes, using an InSinkErator garbage disposal with a defective reset button can lead to electric issues or permanent damage to your garbage disposal. 

What is the typical lifespan of an InSinkErator disposal unit?

The typical lifespan of a garbage disposal from InSinkErator is 10-15 years if you maintain the unit according to the manual. 

Relevant: InSinkErator Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting

Conclusion

The reset button on InSinkErator Garbage Disposal typically doesn’t work or reset the unit if there is a blockage in the grinding chamber. Clear the jam from the disposal manually to make the reset button functional. 

If clearing the restriction from the grinding chamber doesn’t work, try other troubleshooting steps. 

I am 100% sure you can fix the reset button issue by following this guideline unless the motor gets burnt out. In this case, you need to replace the entire unit to resolve this issue. 

Good Luck!

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