Nespresso Capsule Won't Eject? 6 Fixes That Work

Get That Capsule Out Safely

On every Nespresso machine the used capsule is ejected by the lever or head, into the used capsule container. On an OriginalLine machine (Pixie, CitiZ, Essenza Mini, Lattissima) you lift and close the lever; on a Vertuo you unlock and open the head. When it won't go, Nespresso's manuals point to the same thing each time: "Empty the capsule container. Check that no capsule is blocked inside."

Don't put your fingers inside the machine, and don't lever the capsule out with tools. The Creatista manual's instruction for a capsule blocked in the capsule compartment is: turn the machine off and unplug it before any operation, then call Nespresso.

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What's Happening?

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Try This First

• OriginalLine: lift the lever completely, then close it. That's the ejection stroke.
• Vertuo: turn the lever to unlock and open the head. The capsule drops into the container.
• Empty the used capsule container and drip tray, then try again.
• Look into the capsule container for a capsule stuck crosswise.

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Fix 1: Lift and Close the Lever All the Way (Works About 35% of the Time)

On the Pixie, CitiZ, Essenza Mini and Lattissima, the capsule is ejected when you lift the lever and close it again. The manuals word it as "Lift and close the lever to eject the capsule into the used capsule container."

1. Lift the lever completely, as far as it goes.
2. Close it fully. The capsule should drop into the container.
3. Before you descale or empty a machine, the manuals ask you to do this first to make sure no capsule is left inside.

Time: 1 minute
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 35%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 2: Empty the Capsule Container (Works About 25% of the Time)

When the container is full, the next capsule has nowhere to go and the lever won't close. The Pixie, Creatista and Lattissima Touch tables all give this as the first fix for "lever cannot be closed completely".

1. Remove and empty the used capsule container. The manuals pair it with emptying the drip tray.
2. Rinse and dry it, then slide it fully back in.
3. Empty it before it fills. Capacities from the manuals: Pixie and CitiZ 9-11 capsules; Essenza Mini 5-6; Vertuo Pop+ 8 espresso or 5 mug capsules. The Creatista and Essenza Mini manuals say to empty the container every day.

Time: 2 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 25%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 3: Vertuo: Unlock the Lever and Let the Head Eject It (Works About 15% of the Time)

On a Vertuo Next, Pop or Plus, there's no separate eject step. Opening the head ejects the capsule.

1. Wait until the drink has finished.
2. Turn the lever to unlock and open the head. The capsule drops into the container.
3. If the light stays steady and nothing happens when you press the button, the manual's check is that the lever is properly locked and a fresh capsule is in place.
4. After a "no coffee, no water" stop, Nespresso's steps end with: open the head, let the capsule eject, then run a cleaning.

Time: 1 minute
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 15%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 4: Check for a Blocked Capsule, Without Your Fingers (Works About 12% of the Time)

The second line of the "lever won't close" fix is: "Check that no capsule is blocked inside the machine." The Creatista manual adds: "do not put the finger inside the machine".

1. Switch the machine off and unplug it.
2. Remove the capsule container and look into the opening with a light.
3. If a capsule is visible and loose in the container area, tip it out.
4. If a capsule is stuck in the capsule compartment itself, stop. Go to Fix 6.

Time: 3 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 12%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 5: Run the Vertuo Cleaning Cycle (Works About 8% of the Time)

Nespresso says to clean a Vertuo "on a monthly basis, when you start having coffee residue inside the machine head, or after a long period of non-use". The Vertuo Pop+ procedure:

1. Rinse and refill the water tank.
2. Open the head to eject the capsule and empty the capsule container.
3. Remove the cup support and put a container of at least 1 L (34 oz) under the outlet.
4. Close the head and turn the lever to lock.
5. With the machine on, press the button 3 times within 2 seconds. It runs for about 7 minutes; water starts after about 2 minutes.
6. Wash the capsule container, cup support and drip tray in hot water with mild detergent. If water collects in the head, dry the visible parts with a cloth.

Our Nespresso cleaning guide covers the other models.

Time: About 10 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 8%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 6: Capsule Stuck in the Compartment: Unplug and Call Nespresso (Works About 5% of the Time)

The Creatista manual's safety instruction applies here: "If a capsule is blocked in the capsule compartment, turn the machine off and unplug it before any operation. Call the Nespresso Club or Nespresso authorized representative for assistance."

• USA: 1-800-562-1465
• Canada: 1-855-325-5781
• Elsewhere: the contact details are in the "Welcome to Nespresso" folder in the box, or at nespresso.com.

Don't use pliers, knives or spoons inside the capsule area. The manuals describe no tool method.

Time: 15 minutes
Cost: Free under warranty
Success Rate: About 5%
Difficulty: Easy

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When DIY Won't Work: Repair vs Replace

If the lever won't close with an empty container, or a capsule is jammed in the compartment, it's a service job. Nespresso handles warranty repairs; the length depends on the machine and your region (for example, one year on the US Pixie, two years on the US Creatista).

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Prevent Future Capsule Jams

• Empty the capsule container daily, before it fills.
• Lift the lever fully (OriginalLine) or open the head fully (Vertuo) after each drink.
• Use a fresh capsule each time on a Vertuo.
• Clean a Vertuo monthly, or when you see coffee residue in the head.

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FAQ

How do I get a stuck capsule out of my Nespresso?

On an OriginalLine machine, lift the lever completely and close it again. On a Vertuo, unlock and open the head. If the lever won't close, empty the capsule container and check none is blocked inside. If it's stuck in the compartment, unplug the machine and call Nespresso rather than reaching in.

Why won't my Nespresso lever close all the way?

Nespresso's answer is that the used capsule container is full, or a capsule is blocked inside. Empty the container and look for a stuck capsule, without putting your fingers inside the machine.

Why won't my Vertuo head open?

Make sure the drink has finished, then turn the lever to unlock. Opening the head is what ejects the capsule on a Vertuo.

Is it safe to use pliers to pull out a Nespresso capsule?

Nespresso's manuals don't describe any tool method. The instruction for a capsule blocked in the compartment is to turn the machine off, unplug it and call Nespresso.

How often should I empty the Nespresso capsule container?

Daily is the Creatista and Essenza Mini instruction, and in any case before it's full. The Vertuo Pop+ holds 8 espresso or 5 mug capsules, the Pixie and CitiZ 9-11, and the Essenza Mini 5-6.

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Related Nespresso Guides

• Nespresso Leaking Water
• How to Clean a Nespresso Machine
• Nespresso Descale Light Won't Turn Off
• Nespresso Won't Turn On

Sources: Nespresso user manuals for the Pixie, CitiZ, Essenza Mini, Lattissima One and Lattissima Touch, Creatista Uno/Plus/Pro, Vertuo Next/Pop/Plus and Vertuo Pop+.