Nespresso Vertuo Plus Not Working? 5 Fixes That Work

How the Vertuo Plus Is Different

The Vertuo Plus shares a manual with the Next and Pop, but its lights and buttons work differently. Its light is green, not white. Orange never means an error on the Plus: it means you're in, or running, a Special Function (cleaning, descaling, emptying). It turns itself off after 9 minutes, not 2. You switch it off and reset it with the lever.

The manual's troubleshooting rows that apply to the Plus are short: no light, no coffee or water, not hot, leakage, coffee grounds, and the Plus-only "Coffee leakage" row.

---

Vertuo Plus Lights

There's no red light and no numbered code on any Vertuo.

---

Fix 1: No Light

What the manual says: "The machine has turned OFF automatically; push the button or 'UNLOCK' the machine." Then check the mains, plug, voltage and fuse.

The Plus switches off after 9 minutes. To switch it off yourself, push the lever down for 3 seconds.

Time: 1 minute
Cost: Free
Difficulty: Easy

---

Fix 2: No Coffee, No Water

What the manual says:

1. Check the water tank is filled.
2. Check a fresh capsule is inserted correctly and the handle is properly locked, then push the button.
3. Descale if necessary.
4. Open the head, let the capsule eject, then run a cleaning.

Blinks twice then steady green = the tank is empty or there's no capsule.

Time: 2 minutes
Cost: Free
Difficulty: Easy

---

Fix 3: Coffee Leakage

What the manual says (Vertuo Plus row): "Open the machine head and let the capsule be ejected. Then perform a cleaning." "Empty and clean the cup support." "Descale if necessary." "If problem persists, call the Nespresso Club."

The shared row "Leakage or unusual coffee flow" adds: "Check that the water tank is well positioned."

More: Vertuo Plus leaking.

---

Fix 4: Coffee Not Hot or Grounds in the Cup

• Not hot enough: "Preheat cup with hot drinking water from the tap." Descale if necessary.
• Coffee grounds in the cup: "Perform the cleaning procedure twice."

More: Vertuo Plus not heating.

---

Fix 5: Descale or Reset With the Lever

Descaling (Vertuo Plus):

1. Eject the capsule. Empty the capsule container and drip tray.
2. Add 0.5 L water + 1 unit of Nespresso descaling liquid, and place a 1 L container.
3. Lever down for 3 seconds, then lever down + button together for 3 seconds.
4. Lever down and press the button once to start.
5. Rinse the tank, fill it with fresh water, and press the button to rinse.
6. Exit: lever down + button for 3 seconds.

Factory reset (Vertuo Plus): push the lever down for 3 seconds, then push the lever and press the button together for 3 seconds. Three orange blinks, then steady green, confirm it. The 5-press reset used on the Next and Pop doesn't apply to the Plus.

Time: Descaling: follow the machine
Cost: Nespresso descaling kit
Difficulty: Easy

---

When to Contact Nespresso

Contact the Nespresso Club if coffee still leaks after cleaning and descaling, or if it won't brew with a full tank, a fresh capsule and a locked handle. The manual describes no barcode window, pump or seal for owners to service.

---

FAQ

Why is my Vertuo Plus light orange?

You're in, or running, a Special Function. On the Plus, orange isn't an error.

How do I turn off a Vertuo Plus?

Push the lever down for 3 seconds. It also turns itself off after 9 minutes.

How do I reset a Vertuo Plus?

Lever down 3 seconds, then lever and button together for 3 seconds. You'll see three orange blinks, then steady green.

Why does my Vertuo Plus blink twice and stop?

The water tank is empty, or there's no capsule.

---

Related Vertuo Guides

• Nespresso Vertuo Plus Leaking?
• Nespresso Vertuo Plus Not Heating?
• Nespresso Vertuo Descaling Guide
• Vertuo Next vs Vertuo Plus

Sources: Nespresso user manual for the Vertuo Next, Vertuo Pop and Vertuo Plus (combined edition): light overview, energy saving, factory reset, descaling and troubleshooting pages.