1. Check the power supply. Make sure that the disposal is properly plugged into an outlet and that the outlet is receiving power.
2. Check the disposal's flywheel. The flywheel is located at the bottom of the disposal. If it is stuck or damaged, it will prevent the disposal from grinding food waste. To check the flywheel, use a flashlight to look inside the disposal. If the flywheel is stuck, try to turn it with a wrench. If the flywheel is damaged, you will need to replace it.
3. Check the disposal's drain line. The drain line is the pipe that connects the disposal to the sink drain. If the drain line is clogged, it will prevent the disposal from draining properly and this can cause the disposal to malfunction. To check the drain line, remove the P-trap (the U-shaped pipe under the sink). If the drain line is clogged, you can clean it with a drain snake.
4. Check the disposal's garbage disposal. The garbage disposal is the part of the disposal that actually grinds the food waste. If the garbage disposal is damaged, it will not be able to grind food waste properly. To check the garbage disposal, use a flashlight to look inside the disposal. If the garbage disposal is damaged, you will need to replace it.
5. Reset the disposal. If the disposal is still not working, you can try resetting it. To reset the disposal, press the reset button on the disposal. The reset button is usually located on the side of the disposal.
6. Contact a plumber. If you have tried all of the above steps and the disposal is still not working, you should contact a plumber. A plumber will be able to diagnose and repair the problem.