Garbage disposals
Garbage disposal humming, dead, or leaking? Reset, unjam & parts guide
- 5 sources
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Quick answer
Most garbage disposals that seem dead are fine. InSinkErator's own support pages walk through the same three checks before anyone buys a new unit: is the overload tripped, is the grinding plate jammed, and is power reaching it at all. If the disposal works but splashes, smells, or arrived without a cord, the fix is usually a $10–$25 part: a splash guard, a mounting gasket, or the right power cord.
Common InSinkErator replacement parts: check your model name on the label on the side of the unit first.
JamBuster Wrench (WRN-00) Quiet Collar Baffle (QCB-AM) Mounting Gasket (SMG-00) EZ Connect Cord (CRD-EZ)What the sound (or silence) tells you
| What happens at the switch | Most likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Loud hum, nothing spins | Grinding plate jammed on a pit, bone, or bottle cap | Switch off right away, then turn the motor from underneath with a 1/4-inch Allen wrench. See humming but not spinning. |
| Total silence | Overload protector tripped (or no power to the outlet) | Press the red square button on the bottom. InSinkErator says a tripped button drops about a quarter inch (5 mm). EZ Connect models reset themselves after cooling for up to 20 minutes. |
| Runs, then stops after a few seconds | Motor overheating from a partial jam | Clear the jam with the wrench, then reset. If it keeps tripping, something is still caught near the grind ring teeth. |
| Runs fine but splashes or smells | Torn or slimy splash guard | Replace the baffle. See which splash guard fits. |
| New disposal, no cord in the box | Many units ship without a cord | EZ Connect models take CRD-EZ; older styles take CRD-00. See EZ Connect vs CRD-00. |
Guides in this section
Find your model before ordering parts
InSinkErator sells the same disposal family under several names (Badger, Evolution, Power Series, Advanced Series, EZ Connect versions of each), and the parts differ between them. The model name and number are on the label on the side of the unit. Snap a photo with your phone before you shop, because baffles and gaskets in particular are split by series in InSinkErator's parts sheet.
Power off first, every time: turn off the wall switch and unplug the disposal (or switch off the breaker) before you put a wrench, tongs, or anything else near it. Never put your hand into the grinding chamber.
How we work: reset steps, the wrench size, and part numbers in this section come from InSinkErator's support pages, its installation manual, and its 2026 parts and accessories sheet. Sources are listed below.
Questions people ask
Why is my garbage disposal humming but not spinning?
A hum means power is reaching the motor but the grinding plate is stuck, usually on a fruit pit, bone, or bottle cap wedged against the grind ring. Turn the wall switch off right away, then turn the motor by hand from underneath with the wrench that came with the disposal or a standard 1/4-inch Allen wrench. See the step-by-step unjamming guide.
Where is the reset button on a garbage disposal?
On most InSinkErator models it is a small red square button on the bottom of the unit. InSinkErator says a tripped button drops down about a quarter inch (5 mm). Newer EZ Connect models have an automatic overload switch instead: turn the disposal off and let it cool for up to 20 minutes.
Are all InSinkErator splash guards the same?
No. InSinkErator's parts sheet lists the QCB-AM Quiet Collar sink baffle as the replacement for Power and Advanced Series disposals, and the RSB-00 removable sound baffle as not for Advanced Series. Older Badger-style units with the splash guard molded into the mounting gasket take the SMG-00 (plastic grind chamber) or DMG-00 (stainless grind chamber) gasket. See our splash guard guide.
Sources
Last checked Oct 23, 2026. Always turn off the wall switch and unplug the disposal (or shut off the circuit breaker) before reaching under the unit or using tools in the drain.
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