Moen Garbage Disposal Reset Button Not Working: Reasons & Solutions

This guide on Moen Garbage Disposal Reset Button Not Working will reveal:

• What is the function of the reset button on a garbage disposal?
• What causes the reset button on garbage disposal keeps tripping or stops from working?
• Preventive Maintenance Tips

In This Article:

• What Is The Function of Moen Garbage Disposal Reset Button? 
• Moen Garbage Disposal Reset Button Not Working: Reasons & Solutions 
  • Jammed or Stuck Garbage Disposal
  • Overloaded Grinding Chamber
  • Electrical Issues
  • Motor Failure 
  • Defective Reset Button 
• Preventive Maintenance Tips 
• Conclusion 

What Is The Function of Moen Garbage Disposal Reset Button?

Moen Garbage Disposal Reset Button is a safety feature. The reset button protects your garbage disposal against a jam or overload. 

When the disposal unit gets jammed, the impellers fail to move freely. Consequently, the unit overworks and strains the disposal motor, causing overheating.  

The unit trips the reset button and cuts off the electric supply to protect the disposal motor from burning. 

In short, a jammed or stuck garbage disposal activates the safety mechanism and pops the reset button. 

You can find the reset button on Moen Garbage Disposal at the side of the unit, opposite the power cord.

Moen Garbage Disposal Reset Button Not Working: Reasons & Solutions

Moen Garbage Disposal Reset Button won’t work due to one of the following reasons:

• Jammed or stuck garbage disposal
• Overloaded grinding chamber
• Electrical issues
• Motor failure
• Faulty reset button

Jammed or Stuck Garbage Disposal

You’ve pressed the reset button on your garbage disposal, but it remains inactive when you turn on the unit!

If this is the issue you experience, I bet there is a blockage or something like screws get stuck in the grinding chamber.

Due to the restriction, the impellers try to rotate but fail when you turn on your garbage disposal.

Such occurrence overheats the motor as the restriction strains the disposal motor.

Thankfully, the unit automatically trips the reset button to cut off the electric supply and prevent the motor from burning.

How To Fix:

Unjamming the garbage disposal will be a simple fix to this issue. To unjam your Moen Garbage Disposal, go along with these steps:

• Detach the disposal unit from the electric connection.
• Remove the splash guard and identify the restriction using a flashlight.
• Insert a Moen Garbage Disposal Unjamming Wrench from the top and place it between the impellers.
• Turn the unjamming wrench back and forth until the restriction breaks free.
• Release the blockage using long-handled pliers.
• Restore the electric supply to the disposal unit.
• Run cold water and turn on your garbage disposal to verify that you unjam the disposal. 

Read: Moen Garbage Disposal Stuck

Overloaded Grinding Chamber

Overloading the garbage disposal with food waste can be the second culprit behind a tripped reset button. 

If you put more food waste than the capacity of the unit can handle, it will the impellers from grinding. 

Consequently, the disposal gets clogged and strains the motor, which pops the reset button to prevent the disposal motor from burning. 

How To Fix: 

To avoid such a situation, don’t overload the garbage disposal with food waste. 

Feed a small amount of food particles in the grinding chamber. If required, cut the large chunk of food debris into pieces and throw the trash into the disposal. 

Avoid putting the food waste that causes a clog. You can read this article to explore what not to put in garbage disposal. 

Electrical Issues

Electric issues can even prevent the reset button from functioning. 

For example, if the circuit breaker for your garbage disposal gets tripped, pressing the reset button will bring no luck (no matter how many times you push the button). 

Similarly, a blown fuse can stop the reset button from working. 

How To Fix: 

Go to the breaker box of your house. Then, check the circuit breaker for the garbage disposal. 

If it gets tripped, reset the breaker by flipping it to the On position. 

On the other hand, if you install the disposal unit on a fuse and it gets blown, replace the fuse. 

I highly suggest hiring a certified electrician to handle the electrical workflow. 

Motor Failure

A malfunctioning waste disposal motor can also disrupt operations and render the reset button ineffective.

Generally, the garbage disposal motor gets faulty due to wear & tear or electrical issues. 

Unfortunately, the disposal motor is not repairable or replaceable. In other words, replacing the garbage disposal with a new one is the only solution if the motor gets faulty. 

Defective Reset Button

If you try every troubleshooting step but the reset button keeps tripping, I bet the problem lies with the red reset button. 

Similar to the disposal motor, the reset button is not replaceable. If the reset button doesn’t work or won’t stay in, it indicates the disposal unit has an electric shock. 

In short, you need a garbage disposal replacement to resolve this issue. 

Preventive Maintenance Tips

Properly maintaining the garbage disposal can help you avoid problems like the reset button not working. To avoid this issue, follow these garbage disposal maintenance tips:

• Clean the garbage disposal: Clean the disposal unit once a week by filling the sink halfway with baking soda & vinegar, then removing the stopper and running the disposal to clear the grinding chamber.

• Use The Disposal Properly: Never put fibrous foods, fats, and non-food items in the garbage disposal. Run cold water supply before, during, and after operating the disposal unit.

• Inspect the Unit Regularly: Check the garbage disposal for leaks, rattling noises, and signs of wear. It will help you detect the problem at the first stage, which can prevent further damage. 

Conclusion

A malfunctioning reset button on a Moen Garbage Disposal can disrupt the unit’s normal operation.

However, you can restore the functionality of the reset button by clearing a jam or resolving electrical issues. 

To extend the garbage disposal lifespan and avoid common operational problems, maintain your disposal unit according to the manual. 

Leave a comment below if you have questions related to Moen garbage disposal.

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