Coffee Maker Making Loud Noise? 5 Common Causes Fixed (All Brands)

Diagnosing the Noise First: It Matters

Many coffee maker noises are normal, and the manuals say so. BUNN calls a rumbling between brews normal "as the tank reheats". Breville calls a pulsing pump while steaming "the normal operation of the pump". De'Longhi says small puffs of steam from an idle machine are condensate. The noises the manuals treat as problems are a loud pump with little water (usually an empty tank or air), a grinder racket (usually something in the burrs), and, on some machines, a new or different noise.

We checked what seven brands' manuals say: BUNN, Keurig, Breville, Philips, Krups, De'Longhi and Jura.

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Fix 1: Rumbling or Gurgling: Often Normal, Sometimes Scale (Works About 30% of the Time)

BUNN's troubleshooting row "COFFEE MAKER MAKES RUMBLING NOISE" says it's normal after a brew or at intervals through the day, as the tank reheats. BUNN brewers keep a tank of hot water ready. The same row adds that it may also mean lime build-up on the heater. Run the Routine Cleaning with vinegar, which BUNN sets at every 3 months.

On any drip machine, a rumble that gets louder over weeks, together with slower brewing, points to scale. Descale as your manual says. Our coffee maker descaling guide covers the general method.

Time: About 1 hour for a clean
Cost: White vinegar or descaler
Success Rate: About 30%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 2: Loud Pump but Little Water: Fill and Seat the Tank (Works About 28% of the Time)

A pump that suddenly sounds loud and empty is usually pumping air:

• Breville Barista Pro and Bambino Plus: "Water doesn't come through (the machine makes loud noise)" means the tank is empty or below MIN. Fill it and push it down to lock.
• Krups XP6020: if the tank runs empty during use, "the pump becomes very noisy". Stop and fill it.
• Philips 2300/3300: a loud noise can mean the tank isn't fully inserted so air gets in, or the AquaClean filter wasn't soaked before fitting. Push the tank in fully, and prepare the filter first.
• De'Longhi Stilosa: a very noisy pump means the tank is empty or low.

Our water pump guide has each brand's steps for clearing air.

Time: 2 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 28%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 3: Pulsing While Steaming: Leave It Alone (Works About 18% of the Time)

Espresso machines use a vibration pump, and it's audible:

• Breville: a "pulsing/pumping sound while steaming" is the normal operation of the pump, so no action is needed. The Barista Touch book says the same while extracting.
• Krups XP6020: during steaming "you will then hear an intermittent noise which is the pump jump starting. This is completely normal and necessary for the steam production." A little steam from the water tank is normal too.
• Philips: "It is normal that your machine makes noise during use."

Time: None
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 18%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 4: Grinder Racket or Clicking: Clear the Burrs (Works About 16% of the Time)

On bean-to-cup and grinder espresso machines, a loud grinder is the one noise every manual treats as a problem:

• Breville: a loud grinder means a blockage or foreign object. A "racket" or clicking can also be moisture clogging the grinder. Remove the hopper, clear the burrs and chute, and let them dry fully. Breville allows a hair dryer.
• Krups bean-to-cup: a strange grinder noise means a foreign body. Unplug first, then see if you can extract it with a vacuum cleaner.
• Jura: a very loud grinder means foreign objects. Contact Jura customer support. The manuals don't give owners a way into the grinder.
• Philips: if the machine starts making a different kind of noise, clean the brew group and lubricate it with Philips grease.

Never put your fingers into a grinder, and unplug before looking.

Time: 10-20 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 16%
Difficulty: Moderate

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Fix 5: Hissing, Puffs of Steam or Air Sounds (Works About 8% of the Time)

• De'Longhi Dinamica Plus: "The machine emits noises or small puffs of steam while not in use" is condensate dripping into the hot vaporiser. The manual says: "This is part of normal operation. To limit the phenomenon, empty the drip tray."
• Keurig, during descaling: a heavily scaled brewer may give "only a small or no output dispensed, followed by the sound of air blowing out". Turn it off and unplug, discard the solution, rinse and refill the reservoir, and repeat the fresh-water rinse. If it persists, leave it unplugged for at least 30 minutes before continuing.

Time: 5-30 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 8%
Difficulty: Easy

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Sounds That Mean It's Time to Stop Using the Machine

• A grinder racket that doesn't clear after removing the hopper and checking for foreign objects. Jura's instruction is to call support.
• A loud pump that stays loud with a full, seated tank.
• Any sign of electrical damage. Unplug it. The manuals say not to use a visibly damaged appliance, and that electrical repairs are for authorized service.

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Prevent Noise Issues Going Forward

• Keep the tank filled and seated, so the pump never runs dry.
• Descale when your machine asks, or every 3 months on a BUNN.
• Plain whole beans only in grinder machines. Oily, flavoured or sugar-coated beans stick in the burrs.
• Prepare water filters before fitting them.

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FAQ

Why is my coffee maker making a rumbling noise?

On a BUNN that keeps a hot tank, rumbling after a brew and through the day is normal reheating. BUNN adds that it can also mean lime build-up on the heater, so run the Routine Cleaning.

Why is my espresso machine pump so loud?

Usually it's pumping air: the tank is empty, below MIN or not seated. Breville, Krups, Philips and De'Longhi all list it. A rhythmic pulse while steaming, by contrast, is normal.

Is it normal for my coffee machine to make noise when it's off?

On a De'Longhi Dinamica Plus, small noises or puffs of steam when idle are condensate, and normal. Emptying the drip tray limits them.

Why is my coffee grinder suddenly so loud?

Something is in the burrs, or on a Breville, moisture. Unplug it, remove the hopper, and clear it. On a Jura, the manual says to contact customer support.

My Keurig makes an air-blowing sound during descaling. Is it broken?

A heavily scaled Keurig can do this. Turn it off, unplug, rinse and refill with fresh water, and repeat the rinse. If needed, leave it unplugged for 30 minutes.

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Related Coffee Maker Guides

• Coffee Maker Water Pump Not Working
• Coffee Maker Descaling Guide
• Breville Grinder Not Working
• Descale Light Won't Turn Off

Sources: BUNN home brewer manuals; Keurig K-Slim and other Keurig Use & Care Guides; Breville espresso instruction books; Philips 2300/3300 user manual; Krups XP6020 and EA-series instructions; De'Longhi Dinamica Plus and Stilosa instructions; JURA E-, S- and Z-line instructions.