How to Un-Jam a Garbage Disposal Using an Allen Wrench

A garbage disposal that hums but will not spin, in a Toronto or GTA kitchen, is one of the most common and most safely self-fixable appliance jams there is — almost every residential disposal has a hex-shaped hole on its underside built specifically for this. This guide covers the correct, safe sequence for clearing the jam yourself.

How to un-jam a garbage disposal using an Allen wrench

Turn off power at the switch and, more importantly, unplug the disposal or kill the breaker feeding it before putting your hand anywhere near the drain. Insert the disposal’s own 1/4-inch hex wrench (usually included with the unit, or a standard 1/4-inch Allen key) into the hex hole on the centre-bottom of the unit, underneath the sink. Turn it firmly back and forth to manually rotate the flywheel and dislodge whatever is jamming it. Once it turns freely both directions, remove the wrench, restore power, and press the small red reset button on the bottom of the unit before testing.

Step-by-step

1. Turn off the wall switch, then unplug the disposal from its under-sink outlet, or kill the breaker if it is hardwired. Never work inside or under a disposal that is still powered.
2. Never put your hand down the drain to clear a jam, even with power off — use tongs, pliers, or the removal of a lodged object from above if needed, but the hex wrench method handles the actual mechanical jam without needing to reach inside.
3. Locate the hex hole on the centre-bottom of the disposal unit, underneath the sink.
4. Insert the 1/4-inch hex wrench (often stored clipped to the side of the unit or in a kitchen drawer) into the hole.
5. Turn firmly in both directions — clockwise and counter-clockwise — working through resistance until the flywheel spins freely through a full rotation.
6. Remove the wrench.
7. Check the drain from above with a flashlight for any visible obstruction (bone fragment, fruit pit, utensil) and remove it with tongs, never fingers.
8. Press the small red or black reset button on the bottom of the unit — most disposals have an internal thermal breaker that trips during a jam and needs this manual reset.
9. Restore power at the breaker or outlet, turn the wall switch on, and run water while testing briefly.

Why the reset button matters

Most residential disposals include a built-in thermal overload protector that trips when the motor strains against a jam for too long — similar in concept to a breaker, but internal to the appliance. Clearing the mechanical jam with the hex wrench does not automatically reset this thermal protector; you typically need to press the reset button separately, or wait several minutes for it to cool and reset itself, before the disposal will run again even with the jam physically cleared.

What if there is no hex hole or you cannot find the wrench

• A standard 1/4-inch hex/Allen key from any hardware store works if the original wrench is lost.
• Some older or budget disposal models lack the hex hole entirely — check the manufacturer manual for the model-specific jam-clearing procedure.
• If there is genuinely no manual clearing method and the unit stays jammed, do not force it with other tools inserted into the drain from above — call an appliance technician or plumber rather than improvising.

When this is not just a jam

• No hum at all, completely silent: could be an electrical issue rather than a mechanical jam — check the circuit breaker and the switched outlet feeding it. See how to wire a garbage disposal plug for how that circuit is typically configured.
• Reset button trips repeatedly even after clearing a visible jam: points to a failing motor rather than an ongoing obstruction.
• Burning smell at any point: stop immediately and unplug — this suggests motor winding damage, not a simple jam.
• Leaking from the bottom along with the jam: a separate seal failure that a hex wrench will not fix.

Preventing future jams

• Run cold water (not hot) while operating the disposal — cold water keeps grease solid enough to grind rather than gumming the mechanism.
• Avoid fibrous items (celery, corn husks, onion skins) that can wrap around the flywheel.
• Never put bones, fruit pits, or non-food items down the disposal.
• Run the disposal regularly even with light loads to prevent parts from seizing through disuse.

Expert tip from our ESA-licensed electricians

The electrical side of a disposal jam call in the GTA is usually not the jam itself — it is a homeowner who has hit the reset button repeatedly without success and is now wondering if the switch or outlet has failed. If the mechanical jam is genuinely cleared (flywheel spins freely with the hex wrench) but the unit still will not power on after reset, that points to the switched outlet or wiring, not the disposal itself. Test with a plug-in tester at the outlet before assuming the whole unit needs replacement — sometimes it is a $15 switch, not a $150 disposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to put my hand down the drain if power is off?

Not recommended even with power off. Use tongs or pliers to remove any visible object from above instead.

What size Allen wrench do I need?

Almost universally 1/4-inch hex for residential disposals, though check your specific model’s manual to confirm.

Why will my disposal not turn back on after I cleared the jam?

Press the internal reset button on the bottom of the unit — the thermal overload protector needs a separate manual reset.

Can I use pliers instead of a hex wrench?

Not effectively — the hex hole is specifically shaped for a hex/Allen key and pliers will not grip or turn the flywheel properly.

How often should this happen?

Occasional jams from fibrous food or a dropped utensil are normal. Frequent jamming points to a habit worth changing or a motor nearing end of life.

Related reading from ezsmart.ca

• How to Wire a Garbage Disposal Plug
• Do Garbage Disposals Need a Dedicated Outlet?
• How Do I Fix a Dead Outlet?
• What Is a Split Receptacle?
• What Are the Electrical Requirements for a Kitchen Renovation?

Contact us

Disposal wiring, switched outlet, or circuit issues in a Toronto or GTA kitchen? Call ezsmart at 416-838-9006 or use our contact page. An ESA-licensed electrician will sort out the electrical side.