Quick & Easy FIX for a Keurig Not Brewing

4 min read FEB 22, 2023

Keurig coffee makers are an easy, convenient way to make iced or hot coffee - all you have to do is insert a K-Cup and press the brew button! But it's time for some troubleshooting when your Keurig stops working correctly. Luckily we've got helpful tips and tricks that can get your favorite brewer up and running again in no time. So don't worry; with our guide by your side, delicious cups of coffee will be just around the corner.

Reasons why Your Keurig Won't Brew


Although Keurig machines may seem straightforward, they contain countless parts that can malfunction. If your brewer isn't working properly, it might need to be reset, or the water reservoir could have been connected incorrectly. For your Keurig to return to its optimal condition, you will also likely require a descaling process that eliminates any mineral buildup from the tank and internal tubes.

Several potential causes may prevent your Keurig from producing a cup of hot, fresh coffee, but fear not! This comprehensive guide will help you quickly identify and remedy the issue to return to enjoying your favorite morning drink.

Methods to fix a Keurig that Won't Brew

If your Keurig coffee maker is not functioning properly and will not brew, there are a few things you can do to try and fix it.

1. Check Your Setup


The first step is to check the setup of the machine. Are you sure that it is plugged into an active power outlet? Have you added enough water to the reservoir? Do all of the settings look correct? If anything looks incorrect, go back and reset the machine according to the user manual.

2. Reset Your Keurig


After checking the setup, if your Keurig still won't brew, try resetting it. Open up the lid of the brew head and turn off the machine before unplugging it from its power source. Remove any water from its reservoir before leaving it unplugged for at least thirty minutes. When you plug your brewer back in, make sure that any settings on the machine are correctly set up again.

3. Clean Your Machine


Another solution is to clean your Keurig coffee maker. Keeping your machine clean regularly is important for keeping it in proper working order. To clean or descale your Keurig, follow directions as indicated in its user manual or online tutorials for guidance on performing either process properly with or without vinegar. Additionally, if you find that there are clogs blocking your brewer's puncture tools, refer to our guide on how to unclog them easily and quickly.

4. Call Customer Service


Finally, if none of these methods seem to be working to fix a non-functioning Keurig brewer, contact customer service by referring to their warranty information or call their support line directly. They may be able to provide assistance in getting a replacement part necessary for solving this issue or even provide instructions on how best to perform certain maintenance steps specific to each product model type.

Conclusion


We hope this guide has helped get your Keurig back up and running. Remember, the key steps are checking your setup, trying a full reset, and cleaning it thoroughly. If that doesn't work, then you can always reach out to Keurig's customer service for further help with troubleshooting. Enjoying delicious cups of coffee from your favorite brewer is just around the corner.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


What should I do if my Keurig won't brew?


First, check your machine's setup and ensure it's connected properly to a power source. If that doesn't work, try resetting the machine and thoroughly cleaning it. If all else fails, reach out to Keurig's customer service for further help with troubleshooting.

How often should I descale my Keurig?


The frequency of descaling will depend on how hard or soft your water is and how much you use your brewer. Generally, it's recommended to descale every three to six months, depending on usage.

Can I use vinegar to descale my Keurig?


Yes, you can. White vinegar is an effective and natural solution for descaling your Keurig brewer. However, make sure to check the user manual or watch tutorials online before using it, as some models require a special descaling solution or process.

What should I do if my Keurig's puncture tools are clogged?


If your brewer's puncture tools are blocked, refer to our guide on unclogging them easily and quickly. Be sure to also clean the puncture needles regularly as part of your machine maintenance routine.

What if none of these methods work for fixing my Keurig?


If none of the steps outlined above seem to be working, then you can contact customer service for replacement parts or assistance in troubleshooting. Refer to their warranty information or call their support line directly for more help.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Automatic Pour Over Coffee Machine.

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Gloria Irizarry

My first Keurig was a Christmas gift from daughter in 2010. It lasted barely over a year. Called company all they could offer was 10% coupon to buy a replacement new Keurig. I replaced 5 times all same problem trashed. The only one lasted several years was the Keurig 155 Commercial model ($300) . But it died two weeks ago. Tried Descaleing solution from Keurig ($10) bought two. Machine hims but to no avail. The needles were cleaned with paperclip and still descaling solution and water does not run through the machine. Totally given up ordered a Cusimart trio coffee machine so I can use the cases of kcups I have. Extremely disappointed with the Keurig brand. Writing detailed letter to Better Business Bureau. They should not be able to sell these expensive machines that do not last even a year. That is why I purchased a Cusimart. Sharing so people are aware these are a waste of money and time.

William Lundberg

My keurig K-Elite won’t brew. All the lights are on Solid not blinking. What can cause this to happen

Lynda Bentle

Keurigs have become EXPENSIVE PIECES OF JUNK! I have owned 6…..None of them last for any length of time. The newer the model, the quicker it malfunctions. My latest purchase made on 10/07/2024 stopped working on 10/10/2024. It was successful at producing a whopping 8 cups of coffee……PATHETIC PRODUCT! Keurigs need to be removed from store shelves, as they are the BIGGEST PIECES OF JUNK EVER MADE AND SOLD!!!

Nancy Allen

Kureig just hums. Have reset it it, no luck.

Russ

Cleaned the Keurig and it comes on and heats the water then I select the cup size and it sounds like its running the water through but it is only running back into the water reservoir and not through the machine. Any help would be appreciated.

Philip Charpentier

Water is not pumping, just making a humming noise.
I tried resetting still not brewing.

Martha

I made a cup of coffee with my keurig and now would like to make a second cup and it will not turn on.
My keurig is maybe a little over a year old

Mel Hoffman

Bought a Keurig K Select with coffee strength button in December, 2023. It failed within a few months. It powered on, you could hear the water heating, then it would not brew and shut off repeatedly. Tried all the “resetting” and other suggestions. No luck. Called Keurig. They replaced the machine. BUT then the second machine failed again within a few months, same problem. No fix. So I had to send it back to Keurig and they replaced it. The third machine, the exact same model, failed again after only a month and a half. So, I requested replacement and this time they sent a new machine without sending the old one, leaving me with the conclusion that they know this model is defective. It is a diferent model, another K Select but without the brew strength button. It arrived in a box without any documentation or other literature. It is already making strange noises. This company makes most of its money from selling the coffee and licensing rights to other company. I have two other coffeemakers and if this one fails I will again replace it only until i exhaust my supply of pods. My deLonghi drip coffeemaker has lasted for years and I can brew all the coffee i want. My wife likes the Keurig but maybe after all this trouble she will just pour it out of the pot. Without reliable coffeemakers Keurig will sell zero pods. Makes you wonder about the corporate management.

Mindi

Bought for the RV. Used it a dozen times. Stored unplugged for the winter. Will not turn on this spring. Very disappointed

Mario

Water makes noise like starting then stops why???

Ben Dawson

My Keurig stopped working. The blue lights are all lit up and won’t power off. In dire straits. I guess I’ll keep messing with it and see if I have any luck.

Christine Bentley

GARBAGE! Wasted money! Have tried to clean and reset this BRAND NEW Keurig 3 times. Will not brew with or without a K-cup! It turns on and THAT’S IT! Will do absolutely nothing else! Did not get one single cup of water/coffee from this pot! Frustrated and highly disappointed!

Ernie Azua

The descale light turned on but had already done it recently. We do not have hard water. When we try brewing it turns itself off. I do not have customer service phone number to call! Advice

Emily

Keurig Coffee maker stpped working, just bought it last year. Won’t even turn on. It’s going back to Costco. PIECE OF JUNK.

Mary

My Keurig (single serve) won’t even turn on. No warning…nothing….. I’ve wasted 3 Kpods and nothing……

Theresa

I did every step possible and the kuerig brews without the kcup in but when the kcup is in the water/coffee does not come out. The water is like backed up. Once I take the kcup out the water continues as brewing. I tried w several kcups and same results. Mad n upset with these kuerig machines. Now I have 2 that stopped brewing.

Carol arvis

I’ve had the keurig slim for 4-5 months and four days ago I ran the descaling cycle. Since then I’m unable to stop the ‘descale’ light from being on…don’t have the brew ‘brew’ light and as a result I’ve been operating without any coffee in my system! This morning I couldn’t take it anymore and brewed a cup just to see what would happen. I drank the coffee and just had a bit of grounds in the bottom of my cup. Please help me get my new/old machine back.

Tracy Dwyer-Baker

I’ve used my new Keurig for 6 weeks and the machine just quit working mid-brew. I have followed all the troubleshooting suggestions and still my machine doesn’t work.
My inexpensive MrCoffee worked for 3 years. I don’t have time to spend trying to get a replacement that is likely to fail the same way based on the reviews. I consider this $150 a sunk cost and will never buy or recommend this product. I wanted to post this review so others are aware.

D.spire

I am so disappointed in this Keurig machine. I bought it in October and as of May 23 it no longer works. These coffee makers are not made well at all.

John Bertoni

Our latest Keurig brewer is terrible. It is just quit on us again. We have double-filtered water. We just cleaned the Keurig according to the instructions, and it finally began to work again—but only for a day or two. Now it won’t brew any coffee at all. We are going to change to another coffee maker, but Keurig and its whole community deserves to know the truth. Warming up water should be simple. Also, it should be simple to run the hot water through a K-cup that says “KEURIG” right on it. We deserve better. What will you do about it? John

Bob

How can Kurig make a machine that makes only water and not Coffee. If a simple disconnect of hose to Coffee Pot – make better so does not disconnect after numbers of lifting and lowering pod area handle. Also, don’t design top part to be flat on top of drawer housing – only accumulates nasty dirt and slime if you do not lift up assembly each week…make simple to avoid catching the stupid gene

John A Garcia

I’ve lost faith in this company, the Keurig, I am on my second coffee machine and that has quit 😢. I got my second machine free because the first one was still under warranty, my second machine lasted 13 months. I don’t think I will be spending any more money on these machines. I hope someone of importance see my remarks. Jag

Cecil & Kay Adams

Machine does not turn on, What settings are required?

Lois

Have to restart 3 times to get my coffee. Cleaned it, no help

Kitty

I love my Keurig 2.0. I waited too long to descale it and the needle was plugged. I cleaned the needle & did a couple of cycles with vinegar & it works great. I’ve had this one for three years & the one before for about eight years before I had to replace it.