Garbage disposal will not turn on; no sound, but the reset button has already been pressed and stays in.

Safety first: Before opening any electrical boxes, turn off the suspected breaker and verify with a non-contact tester.

• Check GFCI outlets: Look for GFCI receptacles in the kitchen and press RESET. Some disposals are fed through a GFCI on the countertop circuit.
• Inspect the breaker: At the panel, locate the disposal circuit breaker. If it is in the tripped position, switch it fully OFF, then back ON once. If it trips again immediately, stop and investigate for shorts.
• Test the wall switch: Replace the switch if it feels loose, does not click, or shows discoloration. A simple continuity test with a multimeter (power off) can confirm failure.
• Check junction box connections: Under the sink, remove the Maxmatic junction box cover and ensure all wire nuts are tight and no wires have pulled out.

If power is confirmed at the disposal leads and it still does not respond, the internal motor or control is likely open and the unit should be replaced.