You rely on your garbage disposal to eliminate small scraps of food and keep your drain clean. It can be extremely inconvenient if you go to use the disposal and it simply doesn’t turn on or makes a soft, whirring noise when turned on. If the disposal won’t turn on, check to be sure that it is firmly plugged into the power outlet beneath your sink. Plug a small appliance, such as a lamp or hand mixer, into the outlet to be sure that the problem isn’t with the power source.
If your disposal has power, be sure that it’s switch is in the off position and run the water for at least one minute. Then, take a pair of tongs and stick them down the drain, running them around the disposal. Check to be sure that no objects are stuck. Remove the tongs, turn on the water and try running the disposal again. If it still won’t work, it’s time to call a plumber.