The coffee world has changed a lot over the past couple of decades. Manufacturers are always looking for ways to make that hot brewed coffee simpler, and more accessible in every home. In this article we will try to solve the Keurig coffee maker problems that you’re having — don’t worry, there are actual solutions for you, depending on what the issue is.
Keurig was founded in 1992, as the original single-serve brewer and coffee pod company! Since then, many companies have joined the coffee maker market offering a wide range of possibilities.
Keurig always seemed to have more to offer. With their variety of models, their coffee makers are a sure way to fit any coffee lover’s needs!
Like many good inventions, there’re always problems that pop up out of the blue! If you are reading this article, it must mean that your Keurig is not working and we are so sorry that’s the case! To help you out, we’ve gathered up the most common Keurig coffee maker problems and their solutions.
Table of Contents
My Keurig Coffee Maker Stopped Working All of a Sudden
A common problem found is that the Keurig stops working without any warning signs. If this is the case with you, here are some possible reasons and their solutions.
Using the Wrong Type of Water
The reason this may happen is most probably the type of water you are using. If you’re using tap water, chances are we’ve found your problem.
Tap water is filled with minerals and calcium that may leave your machine with debris build-up. This build-up stops the machine from working as it would be hard to dispense anything through clogged pipes.
Although it might seem like a serious issue, there are a few solutions you might want to try.
Option 1
Run your Keurig a couple of times without using a k-cup. Often just water helps clean the machine from inside.
Option 2
Clean the dispenser with a paperclip-like object. This removes any extra coffee grounds that may be built up inside the nozzle.
Option 3
Vinegar is known to clean calcium scaling. You might want to put a few drops of vinegar in your water. Put the water inside the machine and leave it there from 30-45 minutes. Then dispense this water and leave your machine to dry.
You might want to run your Keurig with water after this process several times to ensure all the vinegar is out. Please keep in mind that this option isn’t recommended by Keurig.
Try to use a suitable type of water for your Keurig to avoid any similar future problems.
Some Parts of the Machine Are Not Placed Properly
Make sure that all of the components are placed in the correct spot. This is often a mistake someone might make if they’re in a hurry or something
Having Air Bubbles
Sometimes bubbles may form inside the machine. To fix this you simply give your Keurig a few gentle shakes. This should get rid of any accumulated bubbles inside.
My Keurig Won’t Turn on at All
It’s the worst thing when you wake up in the morning. You’re dreaming of that cup of coffee, and your machine just won’t turn on!
When you hold the power button and the power icon appears. You should see a welcome note. If you don’t see any of that, try the following.
Unplug and then re-plug your Keurig a few times. If the problem still exists, try a different socket. Maybe the problem is with the socket itself.
If after you’ve tried these options when your Keurig won’t turn on, and the problem still persists… we’re sorry to tell you that it’s time to contact Keurig support 🙁
My Keurig Turns on and Off on Its Own
When this happens, chances are that the built-in timer has been set. The solution to this problem differs from one model to the other.
Keurig Mini
If your Keurig turns on and stays still for 90 seconds, then it turns off on its own, you need to disable the timer.
To do so, you need to press the power start button again. This should take care of the timer.
Keurig Elite
Take a look at the auto-off light. If it’s green, that means your coffee machine will switch off after 2 hours of your last brewed cup of coffee. To disable it, simply click the auto-off black button until the green light is off.
Keurig Special Edition and Platinum
You’ll need to go through the auto-off programming through the menu. You should press the left button a couple of times until it says off on the screen. This means auto-off is disabled.
The Brewing Process Stopped Midway
It’s rare when brewing stops midway through the process. If this happens with you then most probably the water reservoir magnet was displaced. This displacement happens due to the vibration of the machine.
You’d simply need to place the water reservoir magnet back in place. If the brewing still stops midway, then you’ll need to contact customer support.
I’m Getting Less Amount of Water Brewed
This usually happens when the water pipelines are clogged. Those machines come with a very fragile pipeline. Debris and coffee grounds can easily clog those pipelines.
To fix this issue, you’d need to perform the brewing cycle a few times without the k-cup. This helps in moving those small particles out of the machine.
Also, clean the brewing needle with a skinny object to remove excess coffee grounds.
By simply following those steps, your Keurig should go back to brewing the right amount of coffee.
My Keurig Leaked All Over My Floor
Imagine waking up in the morning, and you go to brew you some coffee, only to come back and find your coffee is all over the counter and floor. This would get anyone irritated, especially having to clean that mess!
Before you start freaking out, this leakage doesn’t necessarily mean that your machine is broken. It’s also a very common issue.
The reason your machine would start leaking is that the upper gasket is either missing or placed inaccurately.
If the upper gasket is missing, you’d need to buy a new one and that would simply fix the problem.
If your upper gasket is there, you’d need to try to accurately place it. The gasket needs to be adjusted so that seals with the k-cup and any incoming water during the brewing.
You’d need to close any gaps between the puncture needle and the K-cup. This should easily fix any leakage issues with your Keurig.
Keurig Coffee Tastes Weird
The reason your coffee might start tasting weird is most definitely not the brand of coffee you use.
Your cup of coffee would start tasting weird due to built up scaling inside the machine. The scaling is a result of water that you use as we mentioned earlier.
You should clean your Keurig once every 3 months and more if you use it daily.
To get rid of the scaling inside the pipes, you can simply follow the instructions we mentioned above or you can buy the solution that Keurig offers on their website.
My Keurig Coffee Maker Problem is an Error Message “Add More Water” or “Prime”
There are some error messages that might show up on your screen. Let’s take a look at 2 of those errors.
Add More Water Error
Believe it or not, this is also a common error message that most users have complained about. But fret no more, we know how to fix it!
Start by filling up the water tank with water to its maximum capacity. Try to brew some coffee and see if the message is gone.
If that didn’t work out, then we suggest removing the tank and hand wash it with soap. Be aware that this isn’t dishwasher safe. After washing, make sure to dry it carefully with a lint-free cloth like one of these.
Place the tank back in its place, making sure it’s seated properly in position. Fill it with the maximum amount of water and try to brew again.
This should get rid of the error message. If the message is still there then it’s best to contact customer support.
Prime Error Message
This message means that water won’t come out of the water tank. This usually happens when there is clogging or the tank isn’t placed properly.
Take out the tank and clean it thoroughly. Then make sure you seat it properly in its place. Run water through it first without placing a K-cup inside just to make sure that it runs smoothly.
Keurig Coffee Maker Problems: Final Thoughts
Anything that was ever created comes with its own problems, so it’s normal that the Keurig coffee maker has problems as well.
Just remember to wash your machine carefully every time you use it. Also, it’s suggested to descale it once every 3 months to avoid most of the problems that can occur due to scaling.
Use the right kind of water to avoid any debris being clogged inside.
If any of these issues were not fixed after trying the solutions that we’ve given you, don’t hesitate to contact customer support. They’re available until midnight, 7 days a week.
Your Keurig comes with a one year warranty that guarantees to fix most of the problems mentioned. If your one year is finished, still don’t hesitate to try to contact customer support. They’re usually helpful and will tell you exactly what needs to be done.
Photo by pjinomaha 