This repair guide will help you fix your garbage disposal.
Need a Replacement Garbage Disposal?
Price: $114.00
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Common Symptoms & Causes
These signs point to a tripped reset button on your InSinkErator Evolution Excel garbage disposal.
🔨 Pro Tip from Dave
On the Evolution Excel, the reset button (part #11931) sits recessed about 1/4 inch on the unit’s base, and a common mistake I see is homeowners pressing it before letting the motor cool down for at least 10 minutes — it simply won’t stay engaged if the thermal overload is still hot. Also, always use the included jam-buster wrench in the center bottom port to manually free the grinding plate before resetting, or you’ll trip it again immediately.
- The disposal hums briefly then goes completely silent when switched on
- The unit makes no sound or response at all when the wall switch is flipped
- The reset button on the bottom of the unit is visibly popped out by roughly 1/4 inch
- The disposal stopped mid-cycle after grinding a large food load
This typically occurs when the disposal’s built-in overload protector trips due to a jammed grinding chamber, overheating from extended use, or a hard foreign object lodged in the unit.
How Much Does This Repair Cost?
Fixing a tripped reset button on your InSinkErator Evolution Excel is typically free, requiring no replacement parts. If the button itself is faulty, a replacement reset button costs around $5–$15. Professional service calls for this issue run $150–$300, making DIY troubleshooting an easy way to save significant money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my InSinkErator Evolution Excel reset button keep tripping?
A frequently tripping reset button usually indicates a jam or an overloaded motor. Clear any debris from the disposal and avoid grinding hard materials like bones or fruit pits.
Where is the reset button located on the Evolution Excel?
The reset button is a small red button found on the bottom of the unit beneath your sink. Press it firmly until you feel it click into place.
What should I do if pressing the reset button doesn’t fix the problem?
If the disposal still won’t run after resetting, check your home’s circuit breaker for a tripped breaker. If the issue persists, contact InSinkErator support or a licensed appliance technician.
Recommended Products
These are the parts and tools we recommend for this repair, based on compatibility and customer reviews:
- InSinkErator Garbage Disposal Air Switch Kit, Dual Outlet Sink Top Switch Button for All InSinkErator Food Waste Disposer Models, Satin Nickel STS-OOSN
- InSinkErator EVOLUTION 1HP 1 HP, Advanced Series Continuous Feed Food Waste Garbage Disposal, Gray
- Replacement for Insinkerator Antimicrobial Quiet Collar Sink Baffle Part# QCB-AM, Evolution Garbage Disposals, 3.25″ diameter, Replacement for InSinkErator QCB-AM Sink Baffle Splash Guard
- InSinkErator WRN-00 Jam-Buster Wrench,Silver
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The Jam-Buster Wrench That Actually Clears the Jam Without Damaging the Impellers
When you find a jammed Evolution Excel, you need a way to manually rotate the grinding chamber and dislodge whatever’s stuck—without forcing it and cracking the impellers. This wrench is the right tool for that job, and it’s the first thing I reach for before I even touch the reset button.
What works
- Fits the bottom drain fitting on Evolution Excel units perfectly—no hunting for adapters or jury-rigging with pliers.
- The leverage is long enough that you can gently work the rotor back and forth to break up jams without muscle-forcing it and stripping the motor.
- It stays in the cabinet under the sink—I keep one with my toolkit because at least 60% of reset calls need this step first.
What doesn’t
- It won’t help if the jam is actually a cracked impeller or foreign object stuck deep in the chamber—that’s a replacement situation, not a wrench fix.
- You still have to turn off power at the breaker before using it; this is not a powered tool and doesn’t substitute for lockout-tagout discipline.
I’ve had homeowners call back because they tried to clear the jam with a wooden spoon or their hand—both bad ideas—when they could have had the right tool on hand for under $20. InSinkErator WRN-00 Jam-Buster Wrench,Silver is a one-time purchase that covers you for every stuck Evolution in the house.
InSinkErator WRN-00 Jam-Buster Wrench,Silver
I keep one under the sink because most resets need this step first.
Check Price on Amazon →Before ordering, match the part number to your appliance’s model tag — most “defective” part returns are wrong-model orders.
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