Garbage disposal turns on but shuts off by itself after a short time, then can be restarted after cooling.

Safety First: Turn OFF power before inspecting. Avoid repeated cycling that overheats the motor.

Step-by-step:

• 1. Adjust usage habits: Always run a strong flow of cold water before, during, and after using the KitchenAid disposal. Feed waste gradually.
• 2. Clear chamber: With power OFF, remove any packed food from the chamber and ensure the impeller plate spins freely using the bottom hex socket.
• 3. Reset overload: After cooling, press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit.
• 4. Short test cycles: Run the disposal for brief periods (10–15 seconds) to see if it still shuts off prematurely.
• 5. Monitor frequency: If the unit trips frequently under light load, the overload protector or motor is deteriorating.

When to call a technician: Repeated thermal trips under normal use indicate internal failure; replacement of the disposal is recommended.