Look for a reset button, often a small red button on the exterior of the disposal. Then use the end of a cooking spoon and turn the blades, both ways.

Then, give it a try

Badger disposals are notorious for breaking because they are very cheaply made. We always tell people on this forum to avoid the Badger disposals. I would just replace it. And replace with either a Waste King or Insinkerator Evolution disposal that is no less than 3/4 hp. They offer 7 and 10 year in-home warranties cause they are made better. The 3/4 hp ones still aren’t that expensive. Just avoid the word “Badger” when it comes to a disposal. The Waste Kings are made to be more quiet than they used to, and I prefer their larger chamber over the Insinkerator, though the Insinkerator is very good too.

Waste King 9950 Continuous Feed 3/4 hp Disposal

Mary W, Jim Mat's suggestion is worth a try.

Hi,

There is a red reset button on the bottom. With the switch to the disposal turned off, press that reset button in. Test to see if that worked by turning switch on very briefly. If it hums, then you are making progress.

The next thing you will do is break it loose. They get stuck, then they trip the reset, then they lock up after not being used.

There are two ways you can get it unstuck:

1. You use the tool that came with it. It fits in the very bottom of the unit. This allows you to turn the motor back and forth to get it unstuck. (always do this with the switch off). This tool usually is left in a pocket near the disposal.

2. If you don't have the tool (usually don't) use a long wooden handle (broom or mop handle turned upside down) and put it inside the disposal. Use it to rotate the disposal impeller by catching on the impeller and then "prying" against the opening of the disposal. That almost always gets them unstuck.

Once you have it unstuck, run it (with water) as you empty plenty of ice down it. The ice will help to remove the corrosion and crud and if it clogs the drain, will melt very quickly.

It's premature to talk about junking it. If there is a tiny bit of something hard stuck under one of the blades, it causes precisely that symptom. I've had this occur twice with different disposals. There is often a recess in the middle of the underside of the disposal, and this is for a hex wrench (aka Allen wrench). You take the correct size hex wrench --- probably about 3/8" or thereabouts -- insert it in the hole, and rotate; if something is stuck, there will be a little bit of friction and then it will break loose. Then remove the wrench and try to power the disposal on. If that seemed to free the blades, but it won't come on, try the reset button: the disposal could have shut down power to keep the motor from burning out due to the strain of working against the stuff stuck under the blades. Report back on whether that solves it.

kudzu9 thank you for your response, sorry about that other post, not sure what happened there...I'm absolutely taking your advice. I'm getting the 3/8" wrench on Amazon because I don't have any. I want to try to fix it before getting a new one, I am temporarily out of work right now and can't afford any unnecessary purchases. Thank you everyone for your help! Kudzu9 do you think I should get another size in case that doesn't work?

This is the "wrenchette" that you insert into the bottom of the disposer and turn back and forth to loosen the rotor. It's the same size as a 1/4" hex wrench. They're also sold on Amazon.

Mary-

1. Check to see if you have the opening in the bottom center that I referred to.

2. If so, contact the manufacturer or the technical manual for the correct size, since I can't guarantee that 3/8" is the exact size you would need. It might even be a metric size. They're a very common tool, and one of your neighbors should have some.

3. If you decide to buy a wrench, get a set. They're inexpensive and are useful for a lot of things. Amazon sells a set of 26 metric and standard wrenches for $14.

I second the "reset" switch.

Ignore the "throw it out" advice. Clearly some people don't care for disposals. I would never be without one in my kitchen. I have an Insinkerator and have never had a single issue - they are excellent disposals.

I agree with @Chessie,

A badger 5 is going to serve most people just fine. By the little wrench, or use a wooden spoon, or use a broom handle - once you get it unstuck, the reset button will get it going again. Then run a bunch of ice through it to clean it up and make it smell better also.

Use Ice every month or so to keep it clean.

this is such good advice, I can't tell you how difficult it has been without my disposal. I will never go without one! I have a wrenchette so even though my wrench is still coming in the mail, I'm going to try the wrenchette now. Thank you wdccruise !!! I will tell you how it goes!

I also want to say, I already tried the restart button and all it did was make a nose when I tried to flip the switch.

If it is buzzing, something fell in and is causing it to jam. Or it rusted out and the bearings are seized. My friend's wife is notorious for putting pocket change on the window sill above the sink. Guess where it goes? I've replaced 2 for him.

oh goodness! what an odd place to keep change! weedmeister when replacing a disposal, out of curiosity, is that a job you think I could do myself? I am just wondering in case when the wrenches get here I can't figure it out. Also it's a pandemic and no one can come replace it.

If you are hearing a humming sound, then it's jammed.

The "wrenchette" goes into the bottom like this:

Work it back and forth.

If you haven't already pull out the little rubber splash guard and take a good look at the inside with a flashlight. You're looking for anything around the blades (#1 in the picture below) or stuck in one of the little slots (#2 in the picture below). As someone suggested, you can use a broom handle to pry against the blades to see if you can get the plate to move. It actually takes a surprisingly small object to stop a disposal, even a hair pin or paper clip will do it.

The last option is a disposal wrench.

Actually the slots are the blades. The rotor is blunt and is for the purpose of "slinging" any material out and in a rotary direction thru the slots/blades.

stax why do you think when I reach down there is nothing in there? Also, FYI when I hit the reset button, it starts making this tik tik tik noise but doesn't budge.
I bought a mesh drain stopper until my wrench set gets here off eBay couldn't find my wrenchette anywhere ugh.

Mary W. "it's a pandemic and no one can come replace it. "

Maybe that depends on your location, but I have no problem scheduling appliance repairs, plumbers, or whatever home services are needed. Those are considered "essential workers" and they are still working. I had my icemaker fixed last week. Guy wore a mask, shoe coverings - zero issues.

Oh I am taking it seriously. However, I certainly do not consider having a well-reputed repairman, that I discussed this with previously, come in, for work in a small specific area, masked and gloved, to be anything of concern. And yes, I needed it fixed. I also needed a leaking faucet repaired - it was leaking so bad that I had to turn off the water to my house in between showers. Thankfully, my BF was able to come over and fix it for me, and I cancelled the plumber, but I had to actually go and buy the part. Obviously you must do what you consider to be safe. In my situation, I know that it was. A situation like this is certainly NOT an issue with "getting a grip". That said, if you are unable to control where someone goes in your home, or unable to get a reliable and conscionable repairman, then I would agree with waiting.

By the way, disposals normally come with those little wrenches. I have one laying underneath my sink, but I didn't realize it was there until I pulled out something the other day. You might already have one hiding somewhere.