We here at Roasty prefer more hands-on brewing methods like the French press or pour-over. But we recognize that some are big Keurig fans. These pod coffee machines produce your morning coffee with simplicity and speed — when they work correctly.
These popular coffee makers might have issues that need troubleshooting now and then, and we’re sharing a few common ones with you below. We’ll tell you how to solve them, too. Luckily, these are usually easy fixes that don’t require any complex technical knowledge.
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Key Takeaways
- Keurig coffee makers are loved for their speed and ease of use. But, like any machine, they encounter problems like clogs or leaks.
- Consistently brewing good cups of coffee with a Keurig requires you to understand common issues, learn how to properly clean and reset the machine, and conduct routine maintenance.
- Keurig customer support is an excellent resource if our troubleshooting tips don’t resolve brewer issues. You can also consult the Keurig community’s forums and guides for additional advice.
What Is Wrong With My Keurig? Common Problems and Solutions
We aren’t going through every possible problem a Keurig owner might encounter. Instead, we’re tackling the most common issues users face.
My Keurig Turns On/Off On Its Own
The Keurig coffee maker is a brilliant piece of java tech, but it doesn’t have a mind of its own — even though it might seem that way sometimes. It shouldn’t be able to turn itself on and off unprompted, but this is a common problem Keurig owners report.
No, your brewer isn’t haunted. Sometimes, the Keurig machine’s genius gets in its way. Newer models have settings, like the automatic brewing feature, that some of their owners don’t even know are active.
If your Keurig turns on and off, you likely accidentally activated the sneaky automatic brewing feature. Turn it off, and your machine will behave itself again.
My Keurig Won’t Stop Leaking
Seeing water on your countertop can ruin your morning coffee experience. Who wants to be on clean-up duty early in the day, especially when you only planned to brew a perfect cup of coffee?
If you notice water leaking from the cold water reservoir, you may need to order a replacement tank. How do you know if the water is leaking from the cold water reservoir? Use these steps to check.
- Make sure your cold water reservoir is properly seated.
- Remove the cold water reservoir and see if there’s water in the well underneath.
- Hold the cold water reservoir over the sink to see if water leaks out.
If you discover that your cold water reservoir isn’t the direct source of the leak, something else might be misplaced and causing the leak. For example, your gasket — that’s located around the puncture needle — may not be lined up properly.
Be extra wary of leakage. Having a countertop full of water is one thing, but ending up with a sludgy mixture of water and coffee grounds in place of a cup of coffee? That’s serious business and seriously a bummer.
My Keurig Only Brews a Little Bit of Coffee
How sad is it when you insert a delicious blueberry-flavored K-Cup in your brewer and, instead of finding a full cup of delicious coffee, you see a few little drops of joe?
A clogged machine is probably the culprit here; clogs affect the quality and quantity of your coffee. An easy solution is to run a brew cycle without a K-Cup, as this flushes water through the system and cleans the gunk out of your machine.
If this doesn’t work, clean your Keurig thoroughly.
My Keurig Coffee Tastes Bad
You should enjoy delicious joe if you’re using quality coffee pods and running fresh water through your machine. But if you’re doing those things and still having lackluster brew, you might have a clogged Keurig. When the water line is clogged with debris, coffee grounds, or calcium buildup, these nasty bits can creep into your cup.
Most newer machines have an indicator light that tells you when to clean your Keurig. But even if yours doesn’t, you should clean the machine every three to six months, depending on how often you use it. Doing this will save you from an awful-tasting, gritty, bitter morning cup.
My “Add More Water” Message Stays On
Sometimes, a Keurig can look like an old used car’s dashboard, lit up with all these weird and confusing lights that are messing with your morning coffee routine!
If one of those lights is the “Add More Water” message, ensure the water reservoir has been properly filled. If it is and the light is still on, it might be time to clean your cold water reservoir. Use warm water, liquid dish soap, and a damp cloth to gently scrub it.
If neither of these suggestions solves the issue, you might need to contact customer care.
My Keurig Will Not Power On
If your Keurig isn’t turning on, ensure it is properly plugged into the outlet. Next, try using a few different outlets around your kitchen to ensure the issue is your machine, not the outlet.
It’s time to contact the Keurig customer service department at 1-866-901-BREW(2739) if it still won’t power on.
My Keurig Keeps Shutting Off
Nothing can be more annoying than a Keurig shutting off unexpectedly, interrupting your sacred brewing routine. If that happens, check the reservoir magnet and make sure all timers and automatic shut-off features are inactive.
My Keurig Is Making Strange Noises
Your Keurig is already a pretty noisy machine, so hearing things during the brewing process isn’t abnormal. If there are sounds you don’t normally hear, make sure your Keurig is properly cleaned to prevent damage to its pumps.
My Keurig Isn’t Heating
Your Keurig might dispense water but won’t heat up. If you’re encountering this issue, your machine might have one of the following issues.
- The water pump isn’t working properly.
- The heating system is malfunctioning due to water pump issues.
- Calcium buildup or dried coffee grounds are clogging your Keurig.
Please never underestimate the power of sticking to a regular cleaning schedule. Built-up coffee grounds or minerals clogging your machine is always a bad time.
If your Keurig machine is clean and you still have heating issues, you may need to focus on the water pump. It could be time to order a replacement if it’s damaged or malfunctioning. In that case, make sure to contact Keurig customer support.
My Keurig Leaves Coffee Grounds in My Cup
Are coffee grounds floating at the top of your morning cup? Yuck! But don’t throw your Keurig out just yet. The problem might be that you’re using the wrong coffee grind size in your machine. Whatever kind of K-Cup you use, whether you buy single-use pods or reuse a refillable one every day, make sure it’s filled with coarse coffee grounds.
My Keurig Dispenses Too Much Coffee
In this case, start by checking that your cold water reservoir is correctly seated. Then, test your machine with these steps.
- Start a water-only brew and use a measuring cup to see if your Keurig dispenses the correct amount.
- Make sure there’s a water filter present.
- Power off the machine. Then, unplug it.
- Clean the needles. Be careful — they’re sharp!
My Keurig Dispenses Too Much Water
People often report their Keurigs dispensing too much water. You’re not alone if your machine is pouring out excess water after brewing. You’re also in luck: it’s an easy fix.
Make sure the water reservoir is correctly aligned. If everything lines up and your machine is still dripping water, unplug it and let it cool off. Then, remove the water reservoir, flip the brewer upside down, and shake it gently while lightly tapping the bottom of the appliance.
My Keurig Splatters While Brewing
Splattering while brewing might mean your Keurig has a clogged exit needle.
Excess coffee grounds might build up inside your coffee maker without regular descaling and cleaning. If this happens, and it causes your machine to splatter, use a sewing needle to gently remove the debris from your Keurig’s exit needle.
My Keurig Will Not Close
A common reason for a Keurig not closing is having a third-party pod loaded into it. These might be too big for the single-serve coffee maker, preventing it from closing. Make sure you’re only using Keurig-approved coffee pods.
If you have the correct pods and your machine still won’t close, locate and adjust the ring under the brewing chamber head until it’s sitting nicely in its spot. Then, your Keurig should close.
My Keurig Is Beeping at Me
Beeps are Keurig’s only means of alerting you of potential issues. When you hear them, it might be time to break out the descaling solution or inspect the brewer to ensure all its pieces are aligned.
If you pressed the brew button after cleaning and basic troubleshooting and nothing happened, it’s time to contact customer service at 1(800) 901-BREW (2739) for guidance.
My Keurig Leaks While Preheating
Your Keurig shouldn’t leak while it preheats. If this happens, you might have a clog. Check that the machine’s brewing needle and K-Cup holder are free of debris or built-up coffee pieces. If there’s no clog but the machine is still leaking, make sure the valve at the bottom of the water reservoir isn’t full of built-up coffee debris.
If you do both these things and find that neither solved your leaking issue, the culprit is the hardware, not a clog. You’ll need to contact Keurig customer support.
More Frequently Asked Keurig Questions
Why Is My Keurig Frother Not Working?
The Keurig milk frother is a great addition to your coffee bar…but only when it’s working properly. Common issues people face with this tool are having it heat the milk without frothing it or the frother failing to function even though it’s powered on.
Troubleshoot a failing frother by following these steps.
- Use the correct milk. Skim milk, creamer, or alternative milk — almond milk, for instance — might not froth how you’re used to. That isn’t to say you can’t use these. But be aware they’ll look different than the whole or two-percent milk Keurig recommends frothing.
- Make sure the frother lid is on correctly and the milk level is not over the max-fill line.
- Check that the whisk is correctly placed inside the machine and free of gunk or debris.
How Do You Fix a Clogged Keurig?
Don’t panic if your Keurig isn’t brewing hot coffee. It might be clogged. If that’s the case, you’ll need to learn how to clean it properly. Cleaning can be a drag, but it’s necessary to keep your machine functioning correctly.
If there’s too much debris in your machine,
- Unplug your coffee maker, and make sure the machine is completely cool.
- Remove the water reservoir, drip tray, and pod holder. Wash these parts with liquid dish soap and hot water.
A clog is a common cause of Keurig coffee brewer problems. If you’ve been using yours for more than six months, it’s probably time to clean it.
How Can I Reset My Keurig?
Resetting a Keurig shouldn’t be difficult, but if you encounter errors,
- Your Keurig may not be assembled correctly.
- Your Keurig might have damaged or dirty parts.
- The coffee maker’s internal computer systems are malfunctioning.
Reset your Keurig pod coffee maker with these steps.
- Press the power button to turn off your brewer. Then, unplug it.
- Remove the water reservoir and wait a few minutes.
- Plug in the machine and power it on again.
- Re-attach the water tank.
- Open and close the K-Cup holder.
If you still can’t reset your brewer, contact Keurig customer support.
Why Is My Keurig Only Making Half a Cup?
If your Keurig is only filling your coffee cup halfway, check that the water reservoir is aligned properly. The water tank is aligned, and you still can’t get a full cup? Then, your machine is probably clogged and needs to be cleaned. Carefully use a sewing needle to clean the tip of the Keurig’s exit needle and use a descaling solution or white vinegar to clean out any buildup inside the machine.
Why Is My Keurig Smoking or Steaming?
Your Keurig shouldn’t smoke or steam during the brewing process. No coffee pot should. If you see smoke, unplug the machine immediately, get all flammable objects away from it, and watch the brewer for a few minutes to make sure nothing catches fire.
Common issues that result in a smoky or steamy Keurig include an empty water reservoir, a dirty machine, overuse, or faulty electrical components.
Why Does My Keurig Keep Saying Water Under Pressure?
An error message that reads “water under pressure” could be caused by a clogged puncture needle. When the needle’s clogged, water can’t get through to brew, and that screws up the water pressure. Solve this problem by using a sewing needle or straightened paper clip to remove built-up coffee debris and committing to cleaning and descaling regularly.
Why Does My Brand-New Keurig Taste Like Plastic?
Well…because it’s brand new!
Think about it. Your Keurig has never had anything run through it before, so it makes sense that you might get a little bit of a plastic taste in the first batch of coffee you brew in it. Run a few brewing cycles without a coffee pod loaded into the machine. During this process, the hot water will absorb all of the gross, plastic, new coffee machine taste and keep it out of your joe.
Happy Caffeinating!
