These sleek Krups‑made Nespresso machines—like Pixie, Essenza, Vertuo, Expert & Milk—are great for fast, tasty coffee. But even the best can hit snags. Whether it leaks, doesn’t brew, or just refuses to work, many problems are fixable with simple steps. Let’s dive in and get your coffee flowing again.
🧭 Quick Overview
- 1. Machine won’t power on or brew
- 2. Water won’t flow or pump remains silent
- 3. Coffee flows weak, weak crema, or grounds in cup
- 4. Leaks or dripping after brew
- 5. Capsules popping or spraying grounds
- 6. Strange noises or overheating
- 7. Indicators or lights blinking
- 8. Maintenance tips to prevent problems
- 9. When to call support or get service
1. Machine Won’t Power On or Brew
If the lights are dead and nothing happens when you press the button, check the power first. Make sure the cord and outlet are working. Try a different plug or device to test. If the cord looks damaged, stop using it and contact service. Sometimes simply unplugging for a couple minutes and plugging it back resets the machine and brings life back.
2. No Water Flow or Pump Silent
If you hear humming but no water comes out:
- The system may be air‑locked. This happens when air gets trapped and keeps the pump from working. You can fix this by removing and repositioning the water tank a few times, or filling a hose with water and gently blowing it into the inlet to clear air bubbles.
- If that doesn’t do it, try priming: remove capsules, fill the tank to the top with hot water, switch on, select a large cup, and gently reposition the tank as you hear bubbles. Once flowing, the machine should begin brewing normally.
3. Weak Coffee Flow or Grounds in Cup
If coffee dribbles out slowly or you end up with ground bits:
- Make sure you’re using **real Nespresso Original or Vertuo aluminum capsules**. Some machines like the Expert don’t handle off‑brand pods well and can misfeed grounds or jam the capsule compartment.
- Clear the **capsule chamber** and **needle filters**—a buildup of old grounds can cause misalignment or flow issues. A small pin or toothpick can help gently clean the spout area.
- If leftover grounds still appear, run a quick cleaning cycle with hot water and no capsule—it helps flush residues.
4. Leaks or Dripping After Brewing
It’s normal for a few droplets to drip after a brew, but constant leaking is not:
- Ensure drip trays and used‑pod bins are properly inserted and not overflowing.
- Check the water reservoir seal and how it locks into the machine—it must sit snugly.
- If it still leaks, it may be an internal crack in a brewing chamber or pressure tube. Those often require part replacement or service.
5. Capsules Explode or Dispenses Grounds
Sometimes pods shoot grounds out or the coffee spills into the drip tray:
- Inspect the **waffle filter** (the textured brew plate). If it’s sharp or cracked, it can tear the capsule foil during brew. Cleaning or gently smoothing it often stops the problem. In more serious cases, replacing that filter part is cheap and resolves leaks.
- A worn filter may also let steam or pressure escape, causing grounds to be flung out of the pod instead of brewing through it.
6. Strange Sounds or Over‑Heating
If your machine buzzes loudly or gets hot to the touch:
- It could be the pump working flat-out trying to push water through a blockage or scale. Run a proper descale cycle using the official descaling fluid at least every 3 months (sooner if your water’s hard).
- An overheated thermal fuse inside the pump area could break, leaving the internal sensors dead. You may hear clicking or see the pump light but no action. Many users found that bypassing or replacing that cheap fuse revived their pump—but only if you’re comfortable opening the base carefully.
7. Light Indicators or Blinking Warning Lights
Different models flash colors in patterns to show errors:
- A steady green light means ready. Blinking may signal heating or cleaning mode.
- Two‑blink alerts often mean a blocked capsule or deposit cleaning needed. Just clean the capsule chamber and try again.
- If blinking continues, follow the manual to exit the cleaning mode or reset.
8. Maintenance Tips to Keep It Running
- Descale regularly—every 3 months or before mineral buildup affects flow or temperature.
- Clean the capsule holder, drip tray, and needle filters weekly using hot water and a soft brush.
- Empty or dry the used capsule container after every brew; stagnant pods can trap moisture or cause dripping.
- Use fresh water each time; don’t let it sit in the tank more than a couple days.
- Keep your machine on a stable, level surface—tilt can impede water flow or engage wrong sensors.
9. When to Call Nespresso or Service
If after trying fixes you still experience one of these, it’s best to contact Nespresso help:
- Persistent leaks from internal parts or dripping even after cleaning.
- Capsules continue to explode or tear despite replacing filters.
- No brewing action even though lights are steady and power is good.
- Burnt smells, dark marks, or visible internal cracks.
- Machine under warranty but still failing basic tests.
🔍 Real User Tips & Stories
— One Expert & Milk model started ejecting grounds mid-brew. The user cleaned a build-up around the mechanical brew filter and ordered a new replacement part (around €10). Once replaced, coffee flowed normally again.
— A Vertuo Next failed to draw water after refilling. The fix? Clearing an air bubble: users repositioned the water tank several times and that released the blockage—and brewing resumed.
— An Essenza Mini seemed dead after a power irregularity. Customer support said GFCI outlets or dirty power lines could be the culprit. Tested at another location, it worked fine after change of power outlet.
— One Creatista user found the machine only clicked but never pumped. They opened the base, located a thermal fuse under the pump, bypassed it with a safe wire, and suddenly the pump kicked into action again. Replacing the fuse permanently fixed it.
✅ Quick Fix Summary
- No power? Test outlet, power cord, and reset by unplugging.
- No water flow? Clear air lock by priming or repositioning tank.
- Weak brew or grounds? Use real Nespresso capsules, clean capsule chamber and filters.
- Leaking? Empty trays, reseat parts, inspect seals and pressure tubes.
- Capsules burst? Clean or replace the waffle filter inside.
- Loud or overheating? Descale, test or replace thermal fuse.
- Blinking lights? Check user manual for meaning; often prompts cleaning or capsule issue.
Final Thoughts
Most issues with Krups Nespresso machines can be fixed at home. A combination of regular cleaning, proper capsule use, and quick troubleshooting usually solves things. Descaling every few months helps avoid flow clogs. Address air locks, check filters, and stay ahead of dripping trays.
If you’ve tried all the tips above and it’s still stuck, or you hit serious leakage or burnt smell—it’s time to reach out to Nespresso support or a qualified repair center. Many parts are replaceable and fairly inexpensive.
Have a specific model or display behavior? Tell me and I’ll walk you through the tailored next steps. With a bit of care, your Krups Nespresso will be brewing reliably again soon.