Keurig machines are super convenient—but when they stop brewing, leak, or show error messages, it’s frustrating. Many problems can be solved at home with simple fixes. Here’s a friendly walkthrough to get you brewing again.
1. “Add Water” Even When Tank Is Full
If your machine cancels the brew after a couple ounces and shows “Add Water”:
- Gently shake the water reservoir to free the magnetic float—sometimes it gets stuck. (Airlock or float blockages are common.)
- Lift the reservoir on and off the base several times to prime the water line and remove air pockets.
- Check the valve and inlet area at the reservoir base—descale or soak if it’s clogged.
- A few users found tiny vacuum seals at the lid area causing issues—drilling a small vent hole or removing the lid helped permanently.(Issue especially noted with K‑Supreme Plus models.)
2. Error Code 2 or 6—Brew Cancels or Stops Midway
- Error Code 2 or 6 may trigger after dispensing a small amount. Cleaning the brew and exit needles or descaling sometimes helps—but many report this persists even after maintenance.
- Several users say Keurig replaced the defective machine under warranty. If your unit is less than a year old, contacting customer support is worthwhile.
3. Machine Shuts Off Before Brewing Starts
When you press the brew button and the machine powers off abruptly:
- Remove the water tank and unplug the machine. Then turn it upside down and tap the bottom firmly—it can dislodge trapped air or debris. After that, reconnect and try again.
- This technique has worked repeatedly for multiple users and is surprisingly effective.
4. Weak Coffee or Cold Temperature
- If coffee tastes watery or not hot enough, mineral buildup or clogged needles may be reducing water flow or heating efficiency.
- Use filtered water to improve extraction quality—soft water may under‑extract flavor.
- Clean the brew needle with a paperclip or brush and run a rinse cycle. Descale the machine every 3–6 months—or sooner if you live in hard water areas.
5. Leaking from Bottom of Machine
- Leaks often come from the O‑ring in the water reservoir or from overfilling past the max line.
- Ensure the reservoir sits properly on the base. Replace the O‑ring if you see drips under the tank or base.
- If the reservoir tank itself has a crack, it may need full replacement.
6. No Power, Blank or Blinking Lights
- If the machine doesn’t turn on, try a different outlet, check the power cord, and confirm the switch is on.
- To fix blinking lights or a stuck descale indicator, unplug the machine for 30–60 seconds, then plug back in. Sometimes multiple resets are needed.
- If issues persist—even after cleaning and resetting—the internal control board may be faulty.
7. Descale Light Won’t Turn Off
- Follow full descaling steps: use vinegar or Keurig descaler, run cleaning and rinse cycles thoroughly.
- Some models require restarting the descaling indicator manually—methods vary by model (e.g. holding certain buttons).
- If light remains on after multiple descale-and-rinse cycles, it’s likely a sensor or circuit fault.
🔧 Step-by-Step Fix Guide
- Unplug and remove the water reservoir.
- Shake and reseat the reservoir multiple times to dislodge float or airlock.
- Clean both upper and lower puncture needles using a paperclip or small brush.
- Descale the machine: run vinegar solution or manufacturer descaler, follow with 3–4 water rinses.
- Clean or replace O‑ring at base of the reservoir.
- Tap the bottom of the unit (upside down) firmly to clear blockages if start fails.
- Unplug 30–60 seconds and plug back in to reset the system.
- Check temperature by doing a water-only hot brew; if water isn’t hot, you may have heating or pump issues.
- If error codes persist after these steps and attempts, contact Keurig support—especially if still under warranty.
📋 Troubleshooting Table
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Add Water” error, brew cancels | Airlock or stuck float | Shake/reseseat reservoir; prime tubing; check vent/float |
| Error 2 or 6, brew stops mid‑cup | Needle clog, faulty internal flow sensor | Clean needles; descale; may require replacement |
| Machine shuts off before brew | Airlock, internal pump stall | Invert and tap bottom; reseat tank; then retry |
| Weak or cold coffee | Scale, wrong water, insufficient contact time | Descale; use filtered or mineral water; clean needles |
| Leaks from base | Faulty O‑ring or cracked reservoir | Check seating; replace seal; inspect reservoir body |
| Descale light stays on | Faulty sensor or insufficient rinse | Repeat rinse; reset sequence; customer support if persistent |
| No brew and blinking lights | Control board or power fault | Unplug reset; if repeats, service likely needed |
🧼 Maintenance Tips
- Descale regularly (every 3–6 months) to prevent scale buildup. Use vinegar or commercial solution.
- Rinse water reservoir weekly and clean brew basket.
- Clean needles after every few hundred brews to avoid clogging.
- Use filtered water to reduce mineral deposits and improve taste.
- Dry the reservoir bottom and cap area after cleaning to avoid vacuum seal issues.
👥 Real User Experiences
“Float stuck caused ‘add water’ even with tank full—shaking and reseating fixed it instantly.”
“Error code 2 on Supreme Plus—descaled and cleaned six times. Support replaced it under warranty.”
“Shut off mid-start—tipping the brewer upside down and smacking it made it work again.”
“Descale light stayed forever—ended up unplugging for over a minute, then pressing two buttons together to reset.”
Contacting Keurig Support
- If your machine is still under warranty and issues persist after cleaning and resets, contact Keurig support for part or unit replacement.
- Have your model number and brief description ready—mention if you’ve tried cleaning, descaling, float resets, etc.
- Reddit reviews often note limited support beyond standard cleaning tips—persistence helps!
✅ Final Thoughts
Most Keurig issues—like “Add Water” errors, brew stoppages, leaks, or weak coffee—stem from minor maintenance needs: stuck float, clogged needles, scale buildup, or misaligned reservoir. Simple cleaning, descale cycles, and a few taps or shakes can revive your machine. If problems persist and can’t be fixed with these steps—especially while under warranty—it’s best to reach out to Keurig for possible replacement or service.
Need help with model-specific reset instructions, part lookup, or printable diagnosis checklist? Just let me know—I’m happy to assist!