Keurig Not Working? 6 Fixes From Keurig's Guides

Keurig Not Working? Start With the Guide's Four Headings

Every Keurig Use & Care Guide we've read uses the same troubleshooting headings: "Brewer Does Not Have Power or Shuts Off", "Brewer Will Not Brew", "Brewing a Partial Cup" and "Grounds in Your Coffee". Work out which one matches your brewer, then follow that section below.

Keurig brewers have no numbered error codes, and the non-SMART models have no reset button combination. "Beyond these recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures, this brewer is not user serviceable."

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Which Problem Do You Have?

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Fix 1: No Power or Shuts Off

What the guides say:

1. Make sure the power button is on.
2. Plug the brewer into its own grounded outlet. "If the electric circuit is overloaded with other appliances, your brewer may not function properly."
3. Auto off switches it off after the last brew. Press power to restart.
4. Still no power: contact Customer Service.

Time: 2 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

More: Keurig won't turn on.

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Fix 2: Will Not Brew

What the guides say:

• After placing the pod, push the handle down securely.
• ADD WATER on: fill to and not beyond the MAX line, and seat the reservoir properly in its base. If it stays on after refilling, contact Customer Service.
• K-Mini and SMART models need at least 6 oz to brew. Add 2 oz more and press brew, and repeat until it dispenses.
• K-Elite, all size and ICED lights on at once: lift the handle, remove any pod, close it, place a large mug, and press power once.

Time: 2 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

More: Keurig add water light won't turn off.

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Fix 3: Partial Cup

What the guides say:

1. Make sure there's enough water for the size you chose.
2. The exit needle may be clogged. Remove the pod holder (lift the handle, grasp the top, push up from underneath), detach the funnel, and clear the needle with a straightened paper clip.
3. Clean the pod holder.
4. The reservoir may have been removed during brewing. Refit it and run a rinsing brew without a pod.
5. Descale. After two descales with no improvement, contact Customer Service.

K-Supreme: with the brewer powered off, hold brew + 12oz for 5 seconds to purge. K-Mini: press power, then hold brew 5 seconds to purge, then press power again.

Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 4: Grounds in Your Coffee

1. Exit needle: paper clip, as in Fix 3.
2. Entrance needle(s): hold the handle up and push a paper clip into all the holes under the lid.
3. Lower the handle and run two water-only brews.
4. Never reuse a pod. Already-punctured pods can let grounds escape.

⚠️ Caution: "There are sharp needles... do not put your fingers in the K-Cup pod holder."

More: Keurig clogged needle.

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Fix 5: Descale

Keurig links descaling to the heater: it "helps maintain the heating element, and other internal parts that come in contact with water".

The DESCALE light turns off only after the full procedure, including the rinse.

More: Keurig descale light won't turn off.

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Fix 6: Light Patterns That Mean "Call Keurig"

• K-Elite: the 4, 6, 8, 10, 12oz lights blink all at once.
• K-Duo Plus and K-Duo Essentials: all buttons blink at once.

Both guides say: contact Customer Service. There's no owner fix.

More: Keurig error codes and lights.

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Storage, Moving and Cold

• Empty the reservoir before storing or moving the brewer.
• Below freezing: let it warm to room temperature for at least 2 hours.
• After storage, rinse the reservoir and descale (K-Mini) or run rinsing brews.

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When to Contact Keurig

Call 1-866-901-BREW (2739) for no power on its own outlet, ADD WATER stuck on a full seated reservoir, partial cups after two descales, or the blinking patterns above. Keurig's limited warranty is one year, and service by anyone else isn't covered.

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FAQ

How do I reset my Keurig?

The non-SMART guides list no reset combination. The SMART brewers have a Factory Reset in their Settings menu, opened with both arrows. Button holds such as 8oz + 12oz only start Descale Mode.

Why won't my Keurig brew a full cup?

Check the water level and the exit needle, clean the pod holder, and descale. After two descales, contact Customer Service.

Do Keurigs have error codes?

No. None of the guides we've read lists a numbered error code. Faults show as named lights or messages.

Why does my Keurig turn off by itself?

Auto off: 90 seconds on the K-Mini, 5 minutes on most others, and 2 hours by default on the K-Elite.

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Related Keurig Guides

• Keurig Won't Turn On?
• Keurig Error Codes Guide
• Keurig Clogged Needle?
• Keurig Control Board Problems

Sources: Keurig Use & Care Guides for the K-Mini, K-Slim, K-Express, K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus, K-Supreme SMART, K-Café SMART, K-Elite, K-Duo Plus and K-Duo Essentials (Gen 2).