Keurig not working? How to fix your Keurig coffee maker
Updated
Most Keurig faults have a fix in Keurig's own guide: a half cup usually means a clogged exit needle or scale, a brewer that won't brew usually needs its reservoir filled to MAX and reseated, and a descale light clears only after a full descale. Pick your model and symptom for Keurig's steps in order.
Vertuo and Original are Nespresso machines, not Keurig; the descaling schedule covers them.
What is it doing?
K-Classic, K-Select · Half cup or short cup
Keurig's fixes, in the order its guide gives them
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- Clean the entrance needle on the underside of the lid: hold the handle up and gently work a straightened paper clip into both holes, then lower the handle and run two water-only brews with no pod.
- If the water reservoir was taken off during brewing, put it back and run a rinsing brew without a pod.
- Descale the brewer. Keurig lists scale as a cause of partial cups and tells you to call if two descales in a row have not fixed it.
When to call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
What the fix uses
Keurig Keurig Descaling Solutionabout $7.98
Scale is the fix Keurig lists last and the one that takes a product. Keurig's procedure for most brewers uses this whole bottle, plus the bottle refilled with water; a K-Mini uses a third of it.
Out of warranty and still broken after Keurig's steps? When to replace it · replacements we cover: Keurig K-Elite, Keurig K-Café SMART.
Sources: K-Classic Use & Care Guide; K-Select Use & Care Guide. Read 2026-10-26. Runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Keurig problems and the first fix, at a glance
We research rather than test: every step on this page is condensed from Keurig's own Use & Care Guides and support pages, read October 26, 2026. Shown here for the K-Classic and K-Select; the full steps for every model follow.
| Symptom | Keurig's first step | Call Keurig when |
|---|---|---|
| Half cup or short cup | Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds. | If you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup. |
| Won't brew | After putting the pod in, push the handle down securely and check the brew buttons are flashing. | If the add water light stays on after you refill and reseat the reservoir. |
| Won't turn on | Check the plug is fully in the outlet, that another appliance works in the same outlet, and try a different kitchen outlet. | If the brewer still has no power after these checks. |
| Add water light or PRIME message | If the add water light is on, fill the reservoir to the MAX line and not beyond, and make sure the reservoir is seated properly in its base. | If the add water light stays on after you refill and reseat the reservoir. |
| Descale light stays on | The light clears only when the brewer has actually been descaled. Keurig says the reminder tracks how much liquid has passed through, comes back 6 weeks later if you postpone, and goes away only once the system has been descaled. | If the light stays on after a complete descale. |
| Leaking | Rule out the reservoir first: lift it off and look for water in the well underneath, then hold the full reservoir over the sink and watch for drips. A leaking reservoir can be replaced; Keurig sells replacement tanks on keurig.com. | If the reservoir is not leaking and water still seems to seep from the bottom of the brewer. |
| Coffee tastes bad | If you taste chlorine or minerals, use bottled or filtered water, never distilled. Keurig also suggests installing a Keurig water filter in the reservoir to improve taste. | Keurig's guide does not send you to Customer Service for taste; call 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if it persists after these steps. |
| Needle clog, grounds in cup | Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds. | If you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup. |
Every Keurig fix, by symptom and model
Steps run in the order each guide lists them, quickest checks first. Where Keurig's guide says nothing, we say so rather than fill the gap.
›Half cup or short cup: brews less than the size you picked
K-Mini, K-Mini Plus
- Press the power button, then press and hold the brew button for 5 seconds until all the water has dispensed. Discard it and press power to restart.
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- Clean the K-Cup pod holder and wash the funnel, which pulls off the holder.
- Descale the brewer. Keurig lists scale as a cause of partial cups and tells you to call if two descales in a row have not fixed it.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
K-Classic, K-Select
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- Clean the entrance needle on the underside of the lid: hold the handle up and gently work a straightened paper clip into both holes, then lower the handle and run two water-only brews with no pod.
- If the water reservoir was taken off during brewing, put it back and run a rinsing brew without a pod.
- Descale the brewer. Keurig lists scale as a cause of partial cups and tells you to call if two descales in a row have not fixed it.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
K-Elite
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- Clean the entrance needle on the underside of the lid: hold the handle up and gently work a straightened paper clip into the holes in the needle, then lower the handle and run two water-only brews with no pod.
- If the water reservoir was taken off during brewing, put it back and run a rinsing brew without a pod.
- Descale the brewer. Keurig lists scale as a cause of partial cups and tells you to call if two descales in a row have not fixed it.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus
- On a K-Supreme Plus, power the brewer off, then press and hold the brew and 12 oz buttons for 5 seconds until water starts to dispense. Let it purge, discard it and press power to restart. The Gen 2 K-Supreme guide does not list this purge.
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the entrance needles on the underside of the lid: with the handle raised, work a straightened paper clip into each needle hole, lower the handle fully and run a cleansing brew (the K-Supreme Plus guide says two). Separate the pod holder from its funnel by pulling down on the funnel, wash both, and clear the exit needle at the bottom with the paper clip if it is clogged.
- If the water reservoir was taken off during brewing, put it back and run a rinsing brew without a pod.
- Descale the brewer, using Descale Mode (see the descale light fix). The K-Supreme Plus guide says to call if two descales have not fixed a partial cup.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
K-Duo
- Make sure there is enough water in the reservoir for the brew size you chose.
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- If the water reservoir was taken off during brewing, put it back and run a rinsing brew without a pod.
- Descale the brewer. Keurig lists scale as a cause of partial cups and tells you to call if two descales in a row have not fixed it.
- Short carafe: the drip stop may be clogged. Take out the filter basket drawer and filter basket and rinse them to clear grounds from the plunger.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if two descales have not fixed a partial cup, or if you live at high altitude and get short carafe brews.
K-Café
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- Clean the entrance needle on the underside of the lid: hold the handle up and gently work a straightened paper clip into both holes, then lower the handle and run two water-only brews with no pod.
- If the water reservoir was taken off during brewing, put it back and run a rinsing brew without a pod.
- Descale the brewer. Keurig lists scale as a cause of partial cups and tells you to call if two descales in a row have not fixed it.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
›Won't brew: powers on, but nothing comes out
K-Mini, K-Mini Plus
- The K-Mini needs at least 6 oz of water to brew. Add an extra 2 oz to the reservoir to make sure the minimum is met, then press brew. Repeat until it dispenses.
- Use only fresh water between the MIN and MAX lines, and never distilled water.
Keurig is silent: The K-Mini guide lists no other cause for a brewer that will not brew.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739); beyond cleaning and descaling Keurig says the brewer is not user serviceable.
K-Classic, K-Select
- After putting the pod in, push the handle down securely and check the brew buttons are flashing.
- If the add water light is on, fill the reservoir to the MAX line and not beyond, and make sure the reservoir is seated properly in its base.
- On a K-Classic, clean the filter screen at the base of the reservoir: empty it, remove any water filter, and rinse the screen under strong faucet pressure or a sprayer, or swish about two inches of clean water around in the reservoir. Rinse it well before refitting.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the add water light stays on after you refill and reseat the reservoir.
K-Elite
- After putting the pod in, push the handle down securely and check the brew buttons are flashing.
- If the add water light is on, fill the reservoir to the MAX line and not beyond, and make sure the reservoir is seated properly in its base.
- If the 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 oz and ICED lights are all on at once, lift the handle, remove any pod, close the handle, put a large mug on the drip tray and press power once. The brewer may dispense hot water.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the add water light stays on after refilling, or if the 4 to 12 oz lights all blink together.
K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus
- The water must be at the minimum line. Refill the reservoir to the MAX FILL line and press BREW.
- Lift the reservoir off and put it back so it sits securely on the base.
- Unplug the brewer, plug it back in and try again.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if these steps do not resolve it.
K-Duo
- After putting the pod in, push the handle down securely.
- If the add water light is on, fill the reservoir to the MAX line and not beyond, and make sure the reservoir is seated properly in its base.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the add water light stays on after refilling, or if all the buttons blink at the same time.
K-Café
- After putting the pod in, push the handle down securely and check the brew buttons are flashing.
- If the add water light is on, fill the reservoir to the MAX line and not beyond, and make sure the reservoir is seated properly in its base.
- If the frother is running you may not be able to brew. Wait 30 seconds after it finishes frothing and try again.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the add water light stays on after refilling, or it still will not brew after the frother has finished.
›Won't turn on: no lights, or it shuts itself off
K-Mini, K-Mini Plus
- Check the plug is fully in the outlet, that another appliance works in the same outlet, and try a different kitchen outlet.
- Make sure the power button has been pressed on.
- Plug the brewer into its own grounded outlet. Keurig says an overloaded circuit can stop it working, and it should run on a circuit separate from other appliances.
- It switches itself off on purpose: the K-Mini turns off 90 seconds after the last brew to save energy. Press power to restart.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the brewer still has no power after these checks.
K-Classic, K-Select
- Check the plug is fully in the outlet, that another appliance works in the same outlet, and try a different kitchen outlet.
- Make sure the power button has been pressed on.
- Plug the brewer into its own grounded outlet. Keurig says an overloaded circuit can stop it working, and it should run on a circuit separate from other appliances.
- Auto Off turns the brewer off 2 hours after the last brew. The guide's Brewer Features section shows how to turn Auto Off on or off.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the brewer still has no power after these checks.
K-Elite
- Check the plug is fully in the outlet, that another appliance works in the same outlet, and try a different kitchen outlet.
- Make sure the power button has been pressed on.
- Plug the brewer into its own grounded outlet. Keurig says an overloaded circuit can stop it working, and it should run on a circuit separate from other appliances.
- The K-Elite turns itself off 2 hours after the last brew by default, and can be set in its settings to turn off in 15-minute steps instead.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the brewer still has no power after these checks.
K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus
- Check the plug is fully in the outlet, that another appliance works in the same outlet, and try a different kitchen outlet.
- Plug the brewer into its own grounded outlet. Keurig says an overloaded circuit can stop it working, and it should run on a circuit separate from other appliances.
- It turns off 5 minutes after the last brew to save energy. On the Gen 2 K-Supreme, press any button or open the handle to wake it; on the K-Supreme Plus, press power.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if troubleshooting does not resolve it.
K-Duo
- Check the plug is fully in the outlet, that another appliance works in the same outlet, and try a different kitchen outlet.
- Make sure you have pressed the POWER button.
- Plug the brewer into its own grounded outlet. Keurig says an overloaded circuit can stop it working, and it should run on a circuit separate from other appliances.
- The brewer is set to turn off automatically 5 minutes after the last brew.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the brewer still has no power after these checks.
K-Café
- Check the plug is fully in the outlet, that another appliance works in the same outlet, and try a different kitchen outlet.
- Make sure the power button has been pressed on.
- Plug the brewer into its own grounded outlet. Keurig says an overloaded circuit can stop it working, and it should run on a circuit separate from other appliances.
- Auto Off turns the brewer off 2 hours after the last brew; the guide's Brewer Features section shows how to change it.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the brewer still has no power after these checks.
›Add water light or PRIME message: asks for water when the tank is full
K-Mini, K-Mini Plus
- The K-Mini needs at least 6 oz of water to brew. Add an extra 2 oz, press brew, and repeat until it dispenses.
- If the screen literally says PRIME with a flashing blue reservoir light, that message comes from older Keurig brewers such as the K60/K65 Special Edition: Keurig says to remove the reservoir completely and clean it, fill it to the MAX line and not beyond, then put it back and make sure it is seated. After two tries, call Customer Service.
Keurig is silent: The K-Mini guide shows no add water light or PRIME message.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if it still will not take the water.
K-Classic, K-Select
- If the add water light is on, fill the reservoir to the MAX line and not beyond, and make sure the reservoir is seated properly in its base.
- If the screen literally says PRIME with a flashing blue reservoir light, that message comes from older Keurig brewers such as the K60/K65 Special Edition: Keurig says to remove the reservoir completely and clean it, fill it to the MAX line and not beyond, then put it back and make sure it is seated. After two tries, call Customer Service.
Keurig is silent: None of the current guides cited here show a PRIME message; on these brewers the same problem shows up as the add water light.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the add water light stays on after you refill and reseat the reservoir.
K-Elite
- If the add water light is on, fill the reservoir to the MAX line and not beyond, and make sure the reservoir is seated properly in its base.
- If the screen literally says PRIME with a flashing blue reservoir light, that message comes from older Keurig brewers such as the K60/K65 Special Edition: Keurig says to remove the reservoir completely and clean it, fill it to the MAX line and not beyond, then put it back and make sure it is seated. After two tries, call Customer Service.
Keurig is silent: None of the current guides cited here show a PRIME message; on these brewers the same problem shows up as the add water light.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the add water light stays on after you refill and reseat the reservoir.
K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus
- Refill the reservoir to the MAX FILL line and press BREW.
- Lift the reservoir off and put it back so it sits securely on the base.
- Unplug the brewer, plug it back in and try again.
- If the screen literally says PRIME with a flashing blue reservoir light, that message comes from older Keurig brewers such as the K60/K65 Special Edition: Keurig says to remove the reservoir completely and clean it, fill it to the MAX line and not beyond, then put it back and make sure it is seated. After two tries, call Customer Service.
Keurig is silent: None of the current guides cited here show a PRIME message; on these brewers the same problem shows up as the add water light.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if these steps do not resolve it.
K-Duo
- If the add water light is on, fill the reservoir to the MAX line and not beyond, and make sure the reservoir is seated properly in its base.
- If the screen literally says PRIME with a flashing blue reservoir light, that message comes from older Keurig brewers such as the K60/K65 Special Edition: Keurig says to remove the reservoir completely and clean it, fill it to the MAX line and not beyond, then put it back and make sure it is seated. After two tries, call Customer Service.
Keurig is silent: None of the current guides cited here show a PRIME message; on these brewers the same problem shows up as the add water light.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the add water light stays on after you refill and reseat the reservoir.
K-Café
- If the add water light is on, fill the reservoir to the MAX line and not beyond, and make sure the reservoir is seated properly in its base.
- If the screen literally says PRIME with a flashing blue reservoir light, that message comes from older Keurig brewers such as the K60/K65 Special Edition: Keurig says to remove the reservoir completely and clean it, fill it to the MAX line and not beyond, then put it back and make sure it is seated. After two tries, call Customer Service.
Keurig is silent: None of the current guides cited here show a PRIME message; on these brewers the same problem shows up as the add water light.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the add water light stays on after you refill and reseat the reservoir.
›Descale light stays on: the descale light will not clear
K-Mini, K-Mini Plus
- Keurig says to descale the K-Mini every 3 to 6 months, more often if calcium builds up faster, on a schedule rather than a light.
Keurig is silent: The K-Mini guide shows no descale light, so there is no light to clear.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
K-Classic, K-Select
- The light clears only when the brewer has actually been descaled. Keurig says the reminder tracks how much liquid has passed through, comes back 6 weeks later if you postpone, and goes away only once the system has been descaled.
- Run Keurig's full procedure for this brewer: empty the reservoir and take out the water filter, turn the brewer off, pour in the entire bottle of Keurig Descaling Solution plus the bottle refilled with water, then turn it back on.
- Run largest-size rinsing brews with no pod into a large ceramic mug, emptying it each time, until the add water light comes on. Let the brewer stand 30 minutes while still on.
- Discard any leftover solution, rinse the reservoir, fill it with fresh water to the MAX line and run at least 12 largest-size rinsing brews, refilling as needed.
- If the brewer only spits a little and blows air after the descaler goes in, it is heavily scaled: turn it off and unplug it, discard the solution, rinse and refill the reservoir with water, plug back in and repeat the fresh-water rinse. If that persists, leave it unplugged for at least 30 minutes before continuing.
Keurig is silent: The K-Classic guide shows no descale light (the K-Select's does). Keurig publishes no button reset for the light on these brewers; it says only that the reminder goes once the brewer has been descaled.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the light stays on after a complete descale.
K-Elite
- The light clears only when the brewer has actually been descaled. Keurig says the reminder tracks how much liquid has passed through, comes back 6 weeks later if you postpone, and goes away only once the system has been descaled.
- Run Keurig's full procedure for this brewer: empty the reservoir and take out the water filter, turn the brewer off, pour in the entire bottle of Keurig Descaling Solution plus the bottle refilled with water, then turn it back on.
- Run largest-size rinsing brews with no pod into a large ceramic mug, emptying it each time, until the add water light comes on. Let the brewer stand 30 minutes while still on.
- Discard any leftover solution, rinse the reservoir, fill it with fresh water to the MAX line and run at least 12 largest-size rinsing brews, refilling as needed.
- If the brewer only spits a little and blows air after the descaler goes in, it is heavily scaled: turn it off and unplug it, discard the solution, rinse and refill the reservoir with water, plug back in and repeat the fresh-water rinse. If that persists, leave it unplugged for at least 30 minutes before continuing.
Keurig is silent: Keurig publishes no button reset for the K-Elite's descale light; it says only that the reminder goes once the brewer has been descaled.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the light stays on after a complete descale.
K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus
- Keurig says to complete every step of the descaling procedure to turn off the DESCALE light, and on these brewers that procedure runs in Descale Mode.
- Pour the entire bottle of Keurig Descaling Solution into an empty reservoir, fill the bottle with water and add that. No pod; put a large mug on the drip tray.
- With the brewer plugged in and powered off, press and hold the 8 oz and 12 oz buttons together for 3 seconds. When the brew button flashes, press it; pour each brew into the sink and repeat until ADD WATER lights.
- Empty and rinse the reservoir, fill it to MAX with fresh water and keep running rinse brews until the DESCALE notification turns off. The brewer then leaves Descale Mode.
- If the brewer only spits a little and blows air after the descaler goes in, it is heavily scaled: turn it off and unplug it, discard the solution, rinse and refill the reservoir with water, plug back in and repeat the fresh-water rinse. If that persists, leave it unplugged for at least 30 minutes before continuing.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the light stays on after a complete Descale Mode cycle.
K-Duo
- Run Keurig's full K-Duo procedure, which takes about 75 minutes: empty the reservoir and remove the water filter, power off, add the entire bottle of descaling solution plus the bottle refilled with water, then run a 12 oz single-cup rinse brew and a 12-cup carafe rinse brew.
- Let the brewer stand at least 30 minutes, then discard leftover solution and rinse the reservoir.
- Fill to MAX with fresh water and run four 12-cup carafe rinses and four 12 oz single-cup rinses, refilling between brews.
- If the brewer only spits a little and blows air after the descaler goes in, it is heavily scaled: turn it off and unplug it, discard the solution, rinse and refill the reservoir with water, plug back in and repeat the fresh-water rinse. If that persists, leave it unplugged for at least 30 minutes before continuing.
Keurig is silent: Keurig's page for the Gen 2 K-Duo says its descale light turns off when the cycle finishes; for the original K-Duo it does not say how the light clears beyond completing the procedure.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the light stays on after a complete descale.
K-Café
- The light clears only when the brewer has actually been descaled. Keurig says the reminder tracks how much liquid has passed through, comes back 6 weeks later if you postpone, and goes away only once the system has been descaled.
- Run Keurig's full procedure for this brewer: empty the reservoir and take out the water filter, turn the brewer off, pour in the entire bottle of Keurig Descaling Solution plus the bottle refilled with water, then turn it back on.
- Run largest-size rinsing brews with no pod into a large ceramic mug, emptying it each time, until the add water light comes on. Let the brewer stand 30 minutes while still on.
- Discard any leftover solution, rinse the reservoir, fill it with fresh water to the MAX line and run at least 12 largest-size rinsing brews, refilling as needed.
- If the brewer only spits a little and blows air after the descaler goes in, it is heavily scaled: turn it off and unplug it, discard the solution, rinse and refill the reservoir with water, plug back in and repeat the fresh-water rinse. If that persists, leave it unplugged for at least 30 minutes before continuing.
Keurig is silent: Keurig publishes no button reset for the K-Café's descale light; it says only that the reminder goes once the brewer has been descaled.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the light stays on after a complete descale.
›Leaking: water under or around the brewer
K-Mini, K-Mini Plus
- Rule out the reservoir first: lift it off and look for water in the well underneath, then hold the full reservoir over the sink and watch for drips. A leaking reservoir can be replaced; Keurig sells replacement tanks on keurig.com.
- Empty the drip tray. Keurig says it holds up to 8 ounces of overflow and should be emptied and cleaned occasionally; slide it out level so it does not spill.
Keurig is silent: Keurig's leak article sends K-Mini Plus owners to a separate K15 / MINI Plus article. Keurig's guides say nothing about water around the pod holder or lid.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the reservoir is not leaking and water still seems to seep from the bottom of the brewer.
K-Classic, K-Select
- Rule out the reservoir first: lift it off and look for water in the well underneath, then hold the full reservoir over the sink and watch for drips. A leaking reservoir can be replaced; Keurig sells replacement tanks on keurig.com.
- Empty the drip tray. Keurig says it holds up to 8 ounces of overflow and should be emptied and cleaned occasionally; slide it out level so it does not spill.
- Store and move the brewer upright: Keurig warns it can leak from the inner tank otherwise.
Keurig is silent: Keurig's guides say nothing about water around the pod holder or lid.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the reservoir is not leaking and water still seems to seep from the bottom of the brewer.
K-Elite
- Rule out the reservoir first: lift it off and look for water in the well underneath, then hold the full reservoir over the sink and watch for drips. A leaking reservoir can be replaced; Keurig sells replacement tanks on keurig.com.
- Empty the drip tray. Keurig says it holds up to 8 ounces of overflow and should be emptied and cleaned occasionally; slide it out level so it does not spill.
Keurig is silent: Keurig's guides say nothing about water around the pod holder or lid.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the reservoir is not leaking and water still seems to seep from the bottom of the brewer.
K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus
- Rule out the reservoir first: lift it off and look for water in the well underneath, then hold the full reservoir over the sink and watch for drips. A leaking reservoir can be replaced; Keurig sells replacement tanks on keurig.com.
- Empty the drip tray. Keurig says it holds up to 8 ounces of overflow and should be emptied and cleaned occasionally; slide it out level so it does not spill.
- Use only Keurig's My K-Cup Universal Reusable Filter in a K-Supreme Plus; Keurig says other or older reusable filters may damage the brewer.
- Do not lift the handle mid-brew: Keurig warns there is extremely hot water under pressure in the pod holder while it brews.
Keurig is silent: Keurig's guides say nothing else about water around the pod holder or lid.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the reservoir is not leaking and water still seems to seep from the bottom of the brewer.
K-Duo
- Rule out the reservoir first: lift it off and look for water in the well underneath, then hold the full reservoir over the sink and watch for drips. A leaking reservoir can be replaced; Keurig sells replacement tanks on keurig.com.
- Empty the drip tray. Keurig says it holds up to 8 ounces of overflow and should be emptied and cleaned occasionally; slide it out level so it does not spill.
- Carafe overflow: use no more than 15 tablespoons of regular ground coffee or 12 of decaf, and seat the paper filter flat in the basket.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the reservoir is not leaking and water still seems to seep from the bottom of the brewer.
K-Café
- Rule out the reservoir first: lift it off and look for water in the well underneath, then hold the full reservoir over the sink and watch for drips. A leaking reservoir can be replaced; Keurig sells replacement tanks on keurig.com.
- Empty the drip tray. Keurig says it holds up to 8 ounces of overflow and should be emptied and cleaned occasionally; slide it out level so it does not spill.
Keurig is silent: Keurig's guides say nothing about water around the pod holder, lid or frother.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if the reservoir is not leaking and water still seems to seep from the bottom of the brewer.
›Coffee tastes bad: chlorine, mineral, cocoa or stale flavours
K-Mini, K-Mini Plus
- If you taste chlorine or minerals, use bottled or filtered water, never distilled.
- Grounds in the cup mean grounds have gathered in the entrance or exit needle; clean both with a straightened paper clip (see the needle steps for this brewer).
- Wash the funnel regularly; Keurig says it keeps the drink fresh. It pulls off the pod holder.
Keurig is silent: Keurig's guides do not address a bitter, weak or burnt taste beyond water and cleaning.
Call Keurig: Keurig's guide does not send you to Customer Service for taste; call 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if it persists after these steps.
K-Classic, K-Select
- If you taste chlorine or minerals, use bottled or filtered water, never distilled. Keurig also suggests installing a Keurig water filter in the reservoir to improve taste.
- Grounds in the cup mean grounds have gathered in the entrance or exit needle; clean both with a straightened paper clip (see the needle steps for this brewer).
Keurig is silent: Keurig's guides do not address a bitter, weak or burnt taste beyond water and cleaning.
Call Keurig: Keurig's guide does not send you to Customer Service for taste; call 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if it persists after these steps.
K-Elite
- If you taste chlorine or minerals, use bottled or filtered water, never distilled. Keurig also suggests installing a Keurig water filter in the reservoir to improve taste.
- Grounds in the cup mean grounds have gathered in the entrance or exit needle; clean both with a straightened paper clip (see the needle steps for this brewer).
Keurig is silent: Keurig's guides do not address a bitter, weak or burnt taste beyond water and cleaning.
Call Keurig: Keurig's guide does not send you to Customer Service for taste; call 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if it persists after these steps.
K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus
- Use Keurig Rinse Pods weekly to cut flavour carryover between brews, and replace the Keurig water filter every 2 months.
- Run a cleansing brew (8 oz, no pod) after storage or several days unused, and between different drink types.
- Straight after a hot cocoa or other non-coffee pod, run a hot water brew with no pod so it does not clog the exit needle.
- If you taste chlorine or minerals, use bottled or filtered water, never distilled.
Keurig is silent: Keurig's guides do not address a bitter, weak or burnt taste beyond water and cleaning.
Call Keurig: Keurig's guide does not send you to Customer Service for taste; call 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if it persists after these steps.
K-Duo
- If you taste chlorine or minerals, use bottled or filtered water, never distilled. Keurig also suggests installing a Keurig water filter in the reservoir to improve taste.
- Use a Keurig Rinse Pod or a cleansing brew straight after hot cocoa or other sweetened pods to keep the needles clean.
- If the brewer has not been used for a few days, run a full carafe rinse brew to flush out the internal water.
Keurig is silent: Keurig's guides do not address a bitter, weak or burnt taste beyond water and cleaning.
Call Keurig: Keurig's guide does not send you to Customer Service for taste; call 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if it persists after these steps.
K-Café
- If you taste chlorine or minerals, use bottled or filtered water, never distilled. Keurig also suggests installing a Keurig water filter in the reservoir to improve taste.
- Grounds in the cup mean grounds have gathered in the entrance or exit needle; clean both with a straightened paper clip (see the needle steps for this brewer).
Keurig is silent: Keurig's guides do not address a bitter, weak or burnt taste beyond water and cleaning.
Call Keurig: Keurig's guide does not send you to Customer Service for taste; call 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if it persists after these steps.
›Needle clog, grounds in cup: grounds in the cup or uneven brews
K-Mini, K-Mini Plus
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- Clean the entrance needle on the underside of the lid: hold the handle up and gently work a straightened paper clip into both holes, then lower the handle and run two water-only brews with no pod.
- Keurig's needle video says grounds lodged in the needles are a cause of inconsistent brews.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
K-Classic, K-Select
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- Clean the entrance needle on the underside of the lid: hold the handle up and gently work a straightened paper clip into both holes, then lower the handle and run two water-only brews with no pod.
- Keurig's needle video says grounds lodged in the needles are a cause of inconsistent brews.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
K-Elite
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- Clean the entrance needle on the underside of the lid: hold the handle up and gently work a straightened paper clip into the holes in the needle, then lower the handle and run two water-only brews with no pod.
- Keurig's needle video says grounds lodged in the needles are a cause of inconsistent brews.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the entrance needles on the underside of the lid: with the handle raised, work a straightened paper clip into each needle hole, lower the handle fully and run a cleansing brew (the K-Supreme Plus guide says two). Separate the pod holder from its funnel by pulling down on the funnel, wash both, and clear the exit needle at the bottom with the paper clip if it is clogged.
- Straight after a hot cocoa or other non-coffee pod, run a hot water brew with no pod so it does not clog the exit needle.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
K-Duo
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- Clean the entrance needle on the underside of the lid: hold the handle up and gently work a straightened paper clip into all three holes, then lower the handle and run two water-only brews with no pod.
- Use a Keurig Rinse Pod or a cleansing brew straight after hot cocoa or other sweetened pods to keep the needles clean.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
K-Café
- Turn the brewer off and unplug it before cleaning. The needles above and below the pod holder are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
- Clean the exit needle: lift the handle, grip the top of the K-Cup pod holder and push up from underneath until it releases, pull off the funnel, then push a straightened paper clip into the needle on the inside bottom of the holder to loosen the grounds.
- Clean the entrance needle on the underside of the lid: hold the handle up and gently work a straightened paper clip into both holes, then lower the handle and run two water-only brews with no pod.
- Keurig's needle video says grounds lodged in the needles are a cause of inconsistent brews.
Call Keurig: Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739) if you have descaled twice and it still brews a partial cup.
When to contact Keurig, and when to replace it
Keurig's guides send you to Customer Service (1-866-901-BREW (2739)) at set points: two descales that have not fixed a partial cup, an add water light that stays on after refilling, no power after the outlet checks, all the size lights blinking together on a K-Elite or K-Duo, and a leak that is not coming from the reservoir.
- Beyond the cleaning and maintenance in the guide, Keurig says its brewers are not user serviceable; for service it points you to the warranty.
- The limited warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship under normal home use for one year from the date of purchase. Keurig repairs or replaces a defective brewer at its option, with proof of purchase date, and a replacement may be new or reconditioned.
- Call Customer Service before sending a brewer anywhere: Keurig wants a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number, and brewers returned without one are sent back.
- Damage or malfunction caused by non-Keurig pods or accessories may not be covered, or may carry a service fee.
Keurig publishes no lifespan and no rule for when to replace a brewer. Our reading: out of warranty, once Keurig's steps and its support line have not fixed it, there is nothing left you can service yourself, so a replacement is the practical answer. Our pod machine guide ranks the current machines, including the Keurig K-Elite and Keurig K-Café SMART.
How this troubleshooter works
- One guide per family. Each model maps to Keurig's Use & Care Guide for that brewer. The K-Classic and K-Select share one entry because their troubleshooting tables are the same; the K-Supreme entry uses both the Gen 2 and the K-Supreme Plus guides and names the model where they differ.
- Keurig's order, not a ranking. Steps appear in the order the guide lists them. Keurig does not say which cause is most common, so neither do we.
- Silence is reported. Fixes that circulate online but are not in any Keurig guide, such as button-combination resets for the descale light on K-Classic-style brewers, are left out and the gap is stated.
- Descaling has its own tool. The descaling schedule gives your next descale date from Keurig's 3-to-6-month range and your water hardness.
Sources · Last checked October 26, 2026
- Keurig - K-Mini Use & Care Guide (Caring for your Brewer, Troubleshooting)
- Keurig - K-Classic Use & Care Guide (Caring for your Brewer, Troubleshooting)
- Keurig - K-Select Use & Care Guide (Caring for your Brewer, Troubleshooting)
- Keurig - K-Elite Use & Care Guide (Caring for your Brewer, Troubleshooting)
- Keurig - K-Café Use & Care Guide (Caring for your Brewer, Troubleshooting)
- Keurig - K-Supreme (Gen 2) Quick Start and Care Guide (Brewer Care, Descaling, Troubleshooting)
- Keurig - K-Supreme Plus Use & Care Guide (Caring for your Brewer, Troubleshooting)
- Keurig - K-Duo Use & Care Guide (Caring for your Brewer, Troubleshooting)
- Keurig - K60/K65 Special Edition and Signature brewers owner's manual (the PRIME message)
- Keurig - How to Descale your Keurig Coffee Maker (steps by brewer; FAQ on the descale reminder)
- Keurig - How to Clean Your Keurig Coffee Maker Needles (grounds in the needles cause inconsistent brews)
- Keurig Support - Troubleshooting Tip: My Brewer Isn't Powering On
- Keurig Support - Troubleshooting Tip: My Brewer Appears to be Leaking from the Bottom
Keep it running
Scale and grounds cause most of the faults above. The descaling guide covers Keurig's own solution versus vinegar, and the water guide covers the reservoir filters.
Common questions
Why is my Keurig only brewing half a cup?
Keurig's guides give three causes: a clogged exit needle, a water reservoir lifted off mid-brew, or scale. Clean the exit needle with a straightened paper clip, run a rinsing brew, then descale. Keurig says to call Customer Service if two descales in a row have not fixed it.
How do I fix a Keurig that won't brew?
On most Keurigs, push the handle down firmly after inserting the pod and check the brew buttons flash, then fill the reservoir to MAX and reseat it. A K-Mini needs at least 6 oz of water, and a K-Supreme can be unplugged and plugged back in. If the add water light stays on after refilling, Keurig says to call.
Why won't the descale light go off on my Keurig?
Keurig says the reminder goes away only once the brewer has actually been descaled. On a K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus or K-Slim, Keurig's procedure runs in Descale Mode, entered by holding 8 oz and 12 oz for 3 seconds, and the light turns off when it finishes. Keurig publishes no button reset for the light.
What does PRIME mean on a Keurig?
PRIME is a message on older Keurig brewers such as the K60/K65 Special Edition. Keurig says to remove the reservoir, clean it, fill it to the MAX line and reseat it, and to call Customer Service if two tries do not clear it. Current models show the add water light instead.
How do I clean the needle on my Keurig?
Unplug it, lift the handle, pop out the K-Cup pod holder and push a straightened paper clip into the exit needle in its base. For the entrance needle under the lid, work the paper clip into each hole with the handle raised, then run two water-only brews with no pod.
Is my Keurig worth repairing?
Keurig says its brewers are not user serviceable beyond cleaning and descaling. Inside the one-year warranty, call Keurig, which repairs or replaces a defective brewer at its option. Out of warranty, if Keurig's steps and support cannot fix it, replacing the machine is usually the only route left.