How to Unjam Your Moen Garbage Disposal

If you have a garbage disposal and experience a jam, you will hear humming but the blades won't turn. I will walk you through how to unjam a Moen garbage disposal and reset it to work again. If these steps don't solve the problem or this is something you don't want to attempt, please reach out to a reliable local plumbing professional. If you are in the Sarasota or Bradenton area of Florida, contact us at Merit Plumbing, and we would be happy to help.
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Video Transcript:
[00:00:03.130] - JJ Donaldson. owner of Merit Plumbing
This is JJ with Merrit Plumbing in Sarasota, Florida, doing a quick video today on how to unjam a Moen garbage disposal or a garbage disposal that does not use the standard unjamming wrench. Most disposals, like InSinkErator, when you look under the disposal, they'll have an Allen key slot in the center where you can stick this unjamming tool and rotate it to unjam the disposal. Moen and a few other brands, American Standard, Piranha, Waste King, they don't have that, so they're a little different. So usually the first way you'll know your disposal jammed is you'll turn it on and it won't rotate. It will just the motor will make a humming sound.
[00:00:49.670] -
And usually what will happen when that happens is on the side of the disposal on the Moens, or underneath on the InSinkErator. In this case, it's the Moen. So in this one on the side, there's a red button here. This is the thermal protection switch. When the garbage disposal jams, the internal component will jam, but the motor still wants to turn.
[00:01:13.880] -
And if it keeps doing that, it will overheat and destroy the motor. So this red button will stick out just like a fuse, and it has to be pushed back in. So the first thing you'll need to do is obviously unplug the disposal because you want to be safe, and then push that button in. Now, if it's an InSinkErator, you can use your unjamming wrench from the center. The case with these Moen, you can't do that. So what you're going to need is this type of tool right here.
[00:01:51.810] -
The big box stores don't have them in stock. You may have to order it online. I haven't seen them in the stores and just did a quick search on Home Depot and they don't carry it in the store. But once you get it, you stick it down inside the disposal, and you want to center it between the two impellers, which are the two kind of wings on the side that spin out. So you can put it down in there and then grab it and twist it.
[00:02:24.760] -
And the disposal, depending on the condition of it, should start to rotate. This one's rotating a bit. But this disposal we're going to replace, because this is the second time in a month it's done this, and it's only two years old, It shouldn't be doing this. So we're going to replace this model with an updated one. But that is how you would go about unjamming a Moen disposal.

[@daremoyt7216]

Wow, so helpful. Use a tool that nobody has, perfect

[@hazerdprone2415]

Butter knives work. It’s not recommended or even safe. For sure at your own risk if you try. But (American) butter knives slotted in where the tool would sit and used to leverage the flywheel works. It’s hard as hell and again so not safe to have your hands that close to the blade. I know it’s well past the helpful period for your issue. But hopefully it’ll help someone.

[@GreggDInNh]

This is exactly what I needed. When I showed the Moen wrench to Lowe's staff, they said they didn't have it in stock. They sold me the Allen wrench tool. Well, now I found it there's not an Allen screw at the bottom! 🤬

[@TrumpetSAE]

Thanks for showing this fix...after seeing that unique tool, I just grabbed two butter knives and went to town ..after unplugging of course...and it worked. But like one of the other comments pointed out, that is a horrible design. Again thanks for this!👏🏾

[@jullietmuthama9299]

So I grubbed 2 butter knives after reading your comment and went to town like you did and it worked. Thanks for the idea.

[@TrumpetSAE]

@@jullietmuthama9299 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😂🤣🔪 💥

[@lateshiacannon4474]

Tried it and it worked! Thank you!

[@naytbreeze]

Butter knives worked here too for the win 😂✊🏾

[@gavin3davilla436]

Went to town with the butter knives as well you are a life saver lol 🤣

[@eccanado4593]

Everyone!!! Make sure you pull out the rubber thing first. After following his steps, looks for a flat head looking indent near the wall. Stick a long flat head driver down there and turn back and forth until you get a nice 360. Mines works now!! I threw some baking soda and vinegar and hot water before turning it back on. Works like new. Thank you so so much to the owner of this video!!! :D

[@tinamusial1950]

I want to THANK YOU! I've never tried to fix a garbage disposal ever! Your tip with the flathead indent/screwdriver was the ticket! Mine works great! My hubby who isn't mechanical asked me if I'd marry him (again!😂) thx again!!!

[@AB-fq9hl]

Very helpful!

[@SillyLionheart]

I’m sorry but I still don’t understand this part, can you please elaborate on the flat head indent?

[@eccanado4593]

​@@SillyLionheart Sorry for the late reply! When you look down the drain, you should see a opening that kind of looks like the charging spot on a cell phone, you should be able to put a flat head into it a bit and then move the blades manually. Think back to vhs tapes or cassettes when wed have to rewind them. So just look for that little indent that's the length of a flat head. Hope this helps!!

[@eccanado4593]

​@@tinamusial1950Yay!! I'm so glad!

[@martymarr32]

I used a wooden spoon as I live in a small town and home depot is our only hardware place for the next 200 miles. Make sure the reset button is pushed in after you unplug it, take the backend of a wooden cooking spoon and stick in the drain. Feel for like a metal lip or clip and just try to push it with wooden spoon and u should feel a slight spin. All you need. Plug it in, check button is pushed in and run the water before you run disposal. Should run after that. Don't need a tool for this moen.

[@colorwheal]

worked for me. thank you

[@mayscarrow4955]

Same 😂

[@mayscarrow4955]

Thanks

[@ImDarkening]

worked for me, thank you

[@Sikdomeshot]

Worked great for me. Thank you very much! I rotated it a bit and heard water rushing down. Plugged it back in and it works like new!

[@OutlawTwo]

Thanks for sharing, it's unfortunate that Moen decided to have a specialty tool instead of conforming to industry standard for turning the blades.

[@peterbarela2324]

First off thanks for this video! And Just a little tip for those who are like WTH I have to order a special tool. I used a “beater” a big flat head screw driver(you can get one at a Home Depot or Lowe’s in the electrical department) and just stuck it in the groove and rotated it a couple times and it worked.

[@ProbablyStonedComments]

Beater…technical electrical terminology 🤣

[@iamknoware]

Umm can you link it pls? Or did you just mean an old screwdriver you don’t use anymore?

[@ProbablyStonedComments]

@@iamknoware a beater is just a big ol screwdriver that’s been used aggressively.

[@iamknoware]

@@ProbablyStonedComments thanks!

[@sams3594]

Actually ran into this problem about 2 months ago and how to figure it out the hard way I wish I would have seen this video before then this was very helpful thank you

[@fee3118]

Thank you so much!!! I followed your instructions exactly and I fixed mine!!!! God Bless You and Thank you so much!!!

[@r.l.2791]

Thank you for this video with helped me fix my garbage disposal this afternoon. I feel empowered!!!

[@slmquen928]

Gracias 🙏 acabo de comprar el triturador ase 6 meses y pensé que se avía descompuesto 😢 ya lo estaba desarmando cuando vi tu video 😮me salvaste gracias funcionó

[@joshmaestas5898]

Thank you ! Can’t get the leasing office to fix anything but your vid allowed me to do it myself

[@NiteOwlVibes]

You just saved me $160. But as far a that special tool, i just stuck some metal tongs and turned clockwise. It worked!!

[@TheTameable]

Thank you so very much!! Our Moen Garbage Disposal was less than 2 years old in our vacation home in Florida. The darn thing was jammed, we heard the hum of the motor, hit the reset button, nothing...we saw your video. Ordered the part on Amazon...a day later the tool you showed arrived, we used it, after we unplugged it and removed the rubber gasket at the opening and the disposal is working perfect...thank you. We did have to hit the reset button again after using the tool. You saved us a service call, perhaps even purchasing a new disposal, now we have a tool for the future, if this happens again, and we can share with our neighbors who might have the same type of disposal. This should be given with the purchase of the disposal. Again, thanks!!

[@jerry8964]

Thank you for your instructions... I ordered the exact tool from Amazon... And thanks to your video I was able to make it work successfully within a minute.... And no more stuck garbage disposal thanks to you!

[@GavinsMarineMom]

A butter knife always works for me when my moen jams

[@henryfairley7087]

What’s the name of the tool?

[@shirleybrunetti3131]

Just fixed my disposal thanks to your helpful video!

[@meritplumbing3115]

You're welcome! I'm so glad you found this helpful!

[@mooredominique21]

Thank you so much!!!!! I’m a single mom and was literally gonna pay someone to fix this!!!! You are so great!!!! Wish I could pay you lol

[@meritplumbing3115]

You're welcome. I'm happy to have helped you.

[@samantha77710]

@@meritplumbing3115 what is the name of the tool?

[@marthasilva9349]

Thankyou you save my day i just fix my disposal with a putty knife sice 2" 7.25L×2"W just stuck the putty knife and rotate it a couple times and it worked but before i turn off the power and i rest the disposal and is working now Thankyou you save me some money ❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@user-fl7og9cq3d]

I just used one screwdriver and spun it around like 3 times. Worked like magic!

[@brendaschwartz1896]

I used a wooden spoon handle. Worked like a charm!! Thank you

[@emmanuelalviola4112]

Yes, I had the same problem. Good thing I saw this video.

[@chaletfletcher4547]

Thanks for sharing! It definitely works!

[@ShangoJamal]

It's quite ridiculous that something as common as a jammed garbage disposal requires such an outputting effort to resolve.

[@jullietmuthama9299]

Thanks for the instructions

[@geeesp9466]

Thank you for the tip worked like a charm hell yeah!!!!

[@spectra210gaming2]

Thank you ! Was able to get it fixed easily !

[@caged-melody]

Thank you for the video and tips!

[@zvang1786]

Thank you so much for this video!!!!!! It saved me from major headache. ❤❤❤

[@meritplumbing3115]

You’re very welcome. I’m glad I was able to help you.

[@ReneeWelk]

Used the screwdriver suggestion and fixed. Thank you for this video!

[@nathanhorowitz4507]

What screw driver is that

[@SJCRUISER36]

Thanks for the video and instructions. I ordered the wrench and tool from Amazon for $8.99. I just used it on my Moen disposal which had been “stuck” for 2 weeks. In less than 30 seconds it was back to working again.

[@luisrasgado9160]

can you share the link please

[@user-tg9ss3uf2r]

Very helpful. As to the special tool, I first sprayed interior edge of disposal after removing rubber guard then I used a 3/4in PVC pipe about 15-18" long and put pipe over the nub in the bottom of the disposal and could use the top of pipe as leverage to get it to move. Move it around a couple times to get moving relatively smoothly. Poor Moen design!!

[@Jwii91Fox]

Thank you for your help sir. ❤

[@guywaters8772]

Very helpful, thank you

[@aliciagaskill7709]

Works great now thanks!

[@user-gj5pk8od8y]

this really helped, thanks a zillion

[@VishalSharma-ve6hy]

Thanks a lot. Just fixed so quick

[@meritplumbing3115]

I am glad this was helpful for you. Enjoy your day

[@mikeoats6215]

Special tool? Thank you, Moen engineers. Nope. Not buying a Moen anything again.

[@nelliewilliams9044]

I turned the circuit breaker back on. I got my phones flash light and kitchen scissors while the machine was off. Took what I saw that was jammed out. Put the red button back in, and wallah. It works, thank you! 😉

[@nikkisif3086]

thank you sir, that worked for me

[@daybreakoh6569]

Thanks!😀

[@miguelflhvac6321]

THANKS. JUST USE A HAMMER. WORKED GREAT.

[@nadirbiggs2240]

How did you use a hammer?

[@miguelflhvac6321]

@@nadirbiggs2240 put the handle end in and turn it around. Need to use a lot of force / pressure the idea is to turn it in a clockwise / counterclockwise motion

[@wendywen9100]

I ordered the tool from Amazon, and it worked like magic! Thank you

[@GABRIEL-hm3ip]

Name the tool

[@CarSharingJho]

@@GABRIEL-hm3ip”Garbage Disposer Unjamming Wrench Compatible With Moen Garbage Disposals, Garbage Disposal Wrench, for Dislodge Jams or Clutter From Above The Sink, for Moen Garbage Disposal, Unjamming Wrench”

[@caseygorden6984]

@@CarSharingJho❤ty

[@chriss8860]

I was able to use a big long flathead to unjam my moen. Try that first before buying the tool, obviously you don't nearly get as much leverage as the tool but it was pretty stuck and I managed to get it to spin

[@BradMeyerlive]

Thanks my dude

[@SpaceCat223]

Didn’t need this tool at all. I unplugged it to make sure the power was off, put a glove on, stuck my hand down there, rotated it with my fingers, unclogged it and it worked.

[@az143_]

Using a standard sized hammer worked well for me

[@Everydaytruckingg]

A butter knife also works. Make sure to get a 360 spin. I had to push both clockwise and counterclockwise before I could get a 360. Goodluck!!

[@sammytaj]

I stuck a prybar/nail puller in there and twisted it ! Worked great ! Thank you for the video I didn’t know these things got jammed honestly

[@fedem.6295]

Same, a 24 incher 😂

[@perlaarias6192]

Gracias

[@Algavin30]

Seriously saved my butt

[@scottd7222]

what a crappy design lol

[@desmond9704]

Exactly.

[@seanfarrow9085]

Moen...."buy for looks buy for life."

[@djnevling8253]

I just used a butter knife to spin it manually. No way I’m buying that “optional” tool

[@biancabadillo5935]

@@djnevling8253bro thank you for this comment - just used a butter knife and pliers, did the trick!

[@timjoseph887]

Came here to say to say exactly. Jammed and time for an American product. What the hell need a special tool to do this. Mines about exactly 2 years old too

[@USvitoria]

I fixed , thanks

[@samaniegohummer1]

Thank you. I was able to unjam mine with a screw driver 😂

[@jayluv_xo]

Thanks so much just fixed mine I used the end of my broom lol just took the bottom part you use to sweep and it started working again thanks 👍👍

[@MrSeadoobie]

2:30 of telling you what won’t work and how other disposals work.

[@amsessions]

What’s the name of the tool?

[@bluestemtruckingandexcavat2717]

Garbage Disposal Unjamming Wrench

[@clarkie5599]

I just stuck a crowbar in there and forced it to rotate, good as new 👍🏼

[@Bdifasi]

Thank you for this! We have that same disposal and it’s less than 2 years old and is jamming. What do you recommend as a replacement?

[@meritplumbing3115]

If you are mainly just using your disposal to clean off plates after a meal I would recommend the Moen GX50C. It is a 1/2HP, has a stainless steel grinding chamber and a 5 year warranty. If you use your disposal for a lot of food scraps and want to put larger items in like melon rinds I would recommend either the Inskerator Pro750 or the Pro88LT.

[@austinpepper]

I used a wooden spoon. Everything turns and I took out some plastic debris and reset the button and nothing. I hear the motor humming. Not sure why it is not turning. Just broken?

[@homma84]

I’m gonna get a a new one so far it looks like motor is just burnt out and nothing is working

[@jparkbully1079]

What’s the tool called exactly

[@travisk5589]

I will not install moen/ waste kind disposals for customers. They are garbage. My main problem with them is that they throw food scraps back out and at you. I tell people this about their new disposal full costco and they don't think it will be an issue. Then 3 months later they want to pull it out and install an insinkerator. Side note. Pay the extra money for the 1/2 or 3/4 hp version. You can thank me later after you ran a whole pineapple through your disposal with no problems.

[@novaranch8128]

❤❤❤❤

[@fly-nificenttrue3822]

Get a flat head screw driver, put it in one of those openings and turn it. It should become free and work again

[@MrRicoruiz]

Thanks bro for the video Those moens are stupid lol

[@yaninamachuca1639]

Mine won't turn I am so frustrated

[@JohnDoe-hn5nl]

I just fixed mine with a big flathead

[@tsquared4103]

Yes. My daughter's is about 1 year old and does this! I am DONE RECCOMENDING MOEN! I guess we get to pay a plumber AGAIN to replace this SHE WANTS A BONE CRUSHER 9000! ARE THERE ANY DECENT BRANDS ANYMORE??

[@meritplumbing3115]

Get an Insinkerator Pro 750 or Pro 880LT

[@edk.5074]

If this happened twice recently with a new disposal it’s not the disposal. It’s the operator. They are putting too much trash in the disposal. It is a food waste disposal. Not a garbage disposal.

[@JFeather1]

I simply used a butter knife and rotated it once I found the slot. Problem solved. No need for the tool

[@TN_HondaDad]

Such a poor design - I replaced my old insinkerator of about 15 years and once in a while it got jammed but just used the allen wrench to work it free. Now, I had to take a wooden spoon and move the blades around which eventually worked but again, a poor design IMO.

[@LBOETV]

Just use a long flat head screwdriver that’s what I did 😂

[@mr.austin5112]

It’s ridiculous how moen design this garbage disposal and I’m pissed my apartment has this kind instead of an insinkerator. There has to be another way to turn this without getting that tool.

[@averyt6521]

Hammer handle

[@brassteeth3355]

Thanks buddy. Our new house came with one of these. Im not impressed.

[@raysoamazing]

My Moen is also 2 years old and just stopped working smh

[@ThatDonovanKid]

NO SPECIAL TOOL NEEDED if you’re in a bind like I was and not about to waste time and money on a unitasker tool, just get a wooden mop/plunger handle and stick it down the hole and pry the blades free.

[@rruizproductions]

I always use the handle of a hammer and spin it out.

[@Rufasa88]

Thank you 🙏 you helped me get mine unclogged easy!

[@deboogunseinde2511]

Thanks alot the hammer handle was a good idea, since I didn't hv the special tool.

[@CarwenoBlueboots]

Thank you! Just fixed mine tonight! Much appreciated both!

[@TheT8or]

I just used a hammer, and it worked! I had to Spin it back and forth a few times and it didn’t seem to work, until it did. Thanks!

[@rruizproductions]

You may also need to press reset button.

[@jackblack6844]

Ill stay with insinkerator...

[@thesmartguyy]

Very shitty design indeed, but like others have said, a hammer does the trick. A little elbow grease and trying to twist back and forth goes a long way. Thanks for the video. I wasn’t trying to spend the $7 lol

[@jchart3]

Video w/screwdriver rather than ordering Moen tool: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJjIgqBniqx6lc0feature=shared

[@elsasun]

Everyone saying thank you is like, you all have that weird tool at hand?! I only found a regular hex key under my sink and there's nowhere to use it. This design sucks!! Now I have to find this tool and buy it? I kind of want to just replace this brand at once, or just remove the machine, I don't use it anyway, because it jams!

[@JohnDoe-hn5nl]

You don’t need that fancy tool all you need to do is use a screwdriver

[@adrianhill01]

Just purchased a house with this asinine model. Will never buy another moen brand product again.

[@waltercarcamo191]

Es mejor no usar ese dispositivo causa problemas ,esa es la solución.

[@kenyasullivan557]

Moen sucks. they could of included the tool in the box.

[@waltercarcamo191]

No usen eso es basura .

[@pauldistefano670]

thanks for the info but what a bull shit way to treat the people who have your product you have to 'SPECIAL ORDER" a devise that other companies just use a standard allen key Moen shame on you! people like me remeber stuff like this never again!

[@paulconrad7649]

I need that tool. Guess I will also check Amazon.

[@michaelsingleton3872]

Thank buddy

[@casetacarty3572]

What’s the name of the tool?

[@meritplumbing3115]

You can purchase it from the Home Depot website here www.homedepot.com/p/MOEN-Garbage-Disposal-Unjamming-Wrench-1037/301296781? Or Amazon a.co/d/dJx5gt0

[@sriharshavinjamury8154]

Amazon sells this for 8$. I bought I yesterday.