Repair or replace
A jam or a loose connection is usually a repair. A cracked housing, a leak from the bottom of the unit or a motor that has burned out means a new disposal.
Before you call
Two safe things to try first.
- Press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit
- Check the breaker or the outlet under the sink
Keep the new one running
Run cold water while it grinds, and keep grease, bones, coffee grounds and fibrous peels like celery out of it. Most disposals that fail early were fed one of those.