Keurig K-Latte Not Working? 6 Fixes for Brewer and Frother

Quick Fix First: Brewer and Frother Take Turns

The Keurig K-Latte is a K-Cup brewer with a separate milk frother that sits on its own base beside it. Keurig's guide says the two may not run at the same time. If the brewer won't brew while the frother is going, wait 30 seconds after frothing finishes and try again. If the frother's button won't light while coffee is brewing, wait 30 seconds after the brew and press it again.

The brewer has one fault signal. If the 6, 8, 10 oz and SHOT lights are all on at once, lift the handle, remove the pod, close it, put a large mug down and press power once. If they all blink together, call Keurig. This page follows Keurig's K-Latte Use & Care Guide.

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Try This First

• Just powered on? The brewer takes about 4 minutes to heat the first time. With Smart Start you can choose a size straight away and it brews once it's hot.
• Frother: chilled milk to the MAX line, lid on, jug on its base, then press its button. It takes about 3 minutes and is done when the button flashes and then goes off.
• ADD WATER lit? Fill to MAX and seat the reservoir so its lock tabs engage.
• Buttons not responding? They switch off 60 seconds after you close the handle. Lift and lower it again.

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What the Lights Mean

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Fix 1: Clear the "All Lights On" State

1. Lift the handle and remove the K-Cup pod, if there is one.
2. Close the handle completely.
3. Put a large mug (10 oz minimum) on the drip tray.
4. Press the power button once. The brewer may dispense hot water.
5. Try your brew again.

If the four lights blink together instead, there's no owner step. Call Keurig.

Time: 1 minute
Cost: Free
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 2: Brewer and Frother Won't Run Together

1. Brewer won't brew while frothing: let the frother finish (button flashes, then off). Wait 30 seconds, then brew.
2. Frother won't light while brewing: let the brew finish. Wait 30 seconds after the brewer stops, then press the frother button again.
3. Still won't start after the 30-second wait? Keurig says to contact Customer Service.

For a latte, the guide's order is: start the milk, then brew a SHOT, then pour the milk over the shot. If they clash, give each its turn.

Time: 1 minute
Cost: Free
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 3: Milk Isn't Frothing

1. Fill to the MAX line with chilled milk. Keurig says don't underfill or overfill, and never run the frother without milk.
2. Check the whisk is inside the jug and the lid is on.
3. Seat the jug on its base, which sits on the side of the brewer, then press the frother's button.
4. Clean it right after every use: take the jug off the base, remove the silicone ring from the lid and the whisk, and wash the ring, lid and whisk in warm, soapy water. Wash the inside with soap and warm water using a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge, so you don't damage the inner coating. Dry everything.
5. Never submerge the frother in water, and keep it out of the dishwasher and microwave. Keurig's warranty excludes damage from washing it in a dishwasher.
6. Still no froth? Keurig's own troubleshooting line is: "If the milk you are using isn't frothing, please call Customer Service."

Time: 5 minutes
Cost: Free
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 4: Short Cups or Grounds: Clean the Needles

1. Turn the brewer off and unplug it.
2. Exit needle: lift the handle, grasp the top of the pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases. Pull the funnel off. Push a straightened paper clip into the needle in the bottom of the holder.
3. Entrance needle: hold the handle up and push the paper clip into both holes of the needle under the lid.
4. Refit the holder using the two front ribs, snap it in, and run two water-only brews with no pod.
5. Lifted the reservoir mid-brew? That also gives a short cup. Refit it and run a rinsing brew without a pod.

More on needles across Keurig models: Keurig clogged needle.

⚠️ Caution: sharp needles sit above and inside the pod holder. Keep your fingers out.

Time: 5-10 minutes
Cost: Free
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 5: Descale Every 3-6 Months

Scale "can hinder brewer performance". The K-Latte has no descale light, so it's on a schedule: every 3-6 months, about 45 minutes.

1. Large ceramic mug, no pod in the holder. Empty the reservoir and remove any water filter.
2. Power off. Pour in the whole bottle of Keurig Descaling Solution plus a bottle of water. Power on.
3. Lift and lower the handle and brew the largest size (10 oz). Repeat until ADD WATER lights.
4. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes. Then empty and rinse the reservoir.
5. Fresh water to MAX, then at least 12 rinsing brews at the largest size, refilling at least once.

Heavily scaled? Little or no output followed by air: turn it off and unplug it, rinse and refill the reservoir, repeat the rinses. If it continues, leave it unplugged 30 minutes. If you still get partial cups after two descales, call Keurig.

Time: About 45 minutes
Cost: Keurig Descaling Solution
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 6: No Power, or It Turns Itself Off

1. Press power. The green light should come on.
2. Auto Off turns the brewer off 2 hours after the last brew. Press power to turn it back on.
3. Plug it into its own grounded outlet, on a circuit separate from other appliances.
4. Still no power? Contact Customer Service.

Time: 2 minutes
Cost: Free
Difficulty: Easy

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When DIY Won't Work

• All four lights blinking, milk that won't froth, ADD WATER that stays on after refilling, or partial cups after two descales: call Keurig at 1-866-901-BREW (2739).
• Not user serviceable beyond cleaning and maintenance.
• Warranty: limited one year (US and Canada). Damage to the frother from dishwasher cleaning isn't covered.

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Prevention

• Clean the frother right after each use, gently, by hand.
• Descale every 3-6 months.
• Use bottled or filtered water if the tap water tastes off, but not distilled water.
• Before storage, empty the reservoir. Store it upright and frost-free. Afterwards, wash the reservoir and descale.

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FAQ

Why won't my K-Latte brew while the frother is on?

Keurig says the brewer may not brew while the frother is in use. Wait 30 seconds after the frother finishes, then brew. If it still won't, call Keurig.

Can the K-Latte frother go in the dishwasher?

No. It isn't dishwasher- or microwave-safe, and it mustn't be submerged. Wash the lid, silicone ring and whisk in soapy water and wipe the inside with a soft cloth.

How long does the K-Latte frother take?

About 3 minutes. The button stays lit while it heats, then flashes and turns off when the milk is ready.

Does the K-Latte have a reset?

The closest thing is the "all lights on" step: remove the pod, close the handle and press power once. If the lights blink instead, there's no owner reset, so call Keurig.

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Related Keurig Guides

• Keurig frother not working (every model): K-Café, K-Café SMART, K-Latte and the SimpleCafé wand
• Keurig K-Latte not heating
• Keurig K-Café not working: Keurig's other latte brewer
• Keurig clogged needle
• Keurig error codes and lights

Sources: Keurig K-Latte Use & Care Guide (DC0000001487).