Method 1: Press the reset button
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What size Allen wrench do you need to fix a garbage disposal?
1/4-inch Allen
Most disposals come with a little wrench just for this purpose. (It’s probably somewhere at the bottom of your sink base cabinet.) If you don’t have a disposal wrench, you can use a standard 1/4-inch Allen wrench.

How do I fix my garbage disposal without Allen wrench?
Method 1: Press the reset button
- Unplug the garbage disposal. Don’t skip this step!
- Push the reset button. You will find this small, red button on the bottom of the garbage disposal unit.
- Turn on the faucet. The water should be cold.
- Turn on the garbage disposal. Now you can plug the unit in, and flip on the switch.
Where does Allen wrench go in garbage disposal?
Insert the hex key (also called an Allen wrench) into the blade access hole at the bottom of the garbage disposal. Turn the hex key back and forth to rotate the blades until you feel the clog break up and the blades move more freely.
How do you hand crank a garbage disposal?
Use the wrench to manually turn the disposal’s motor shaft first counterclockwise, then clockwise until the obstruction is dislodged and the motor shaft spins freely. It’s okay to use some force when turning the wrench, just be sure to support the disposal unit as you do.

Are all garbage disposal Allen wrenches the same size?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the size of Allen wrench you need for your garbage disposal will vary depending on the brand and model of disposal you have. However, most disposals use an Allen wrench that is somewhere between ¼ inch and ½ inch in size.
Are all garbage disposal wrenches the same?
A garbage disposal wrench is a tool used for the sole purpose of freeing food waste stuck in a disposal. These wrenches work differently from an allen wrench or a product specific wrench and so they vary in size.
Can I use a plunger on a garbage disposal?
So, how do you fix a clogged garbage disposal? If your kitchen sink isn’t draining and seems jammed, you can plunge it using a kitchen plunger to dislodge the debris that’s clogging your disposal. (Note: A kitchen plunger is different than a toilet plunger.)
What size is the Jam Buster wrench?
1/4 inch
The wrench is silver colored, and shaped like a little crank, about four inches long. If you cannot find the service wrench, you can use a standard 1/4 inch Allen wrench.
What does an Allen wrench look like?
The Allen wrench itself is a small L-shaped wrench with six sides. If you look at a cross-section of the Allen wrench, it looks like a hexagon. Since the Allen wrench has such a specific shape, it can only be used with items especially designed for it.
What is a hex wrench for garbage disposal?
A 1⁄4 inch Allen wrench will fit into the hex hole on the underside of the disposal and can then be cranked from side to side until the food becomes dislodged. You will know that the wrench has freed the waste when you can easily turn the wrench in a circle in one direction.
How do you loosen a garbage disposal?
IMPORTANT
- Insert the wrench into the hole at the bottom of the garbage disposal.
- Work the wrench back and forth in both directions.
- Continue working with the wrench.
- Check the overload protector.
- Check inside garbage disposal’s grinding chamber.
- Turn on the water, then the garbage disposal.
How do you manually change the blades on a garbage disposal?
What does it mean when your garbage disposal just hums?
The humming (or sometimes buzzing) sound that your garbage disposal makes is an indication that there is power coming into the unit but the blades are not turning. The humming sound can be a sign that the motor is clogged or jammed resulting in its failure to grind.
Is a hex key and Allen wrench the same thing?
Nowadays, there are many instruments to choose from. This article is aimed to help you figure out the difference between an Allen wrench and a hex key. The short answer is “there is no difference”. Really, these two names can be used interchangeably.