If you love to brew your own coffee, finding out that your favorite Keurig device is not working can be devastating, especially if coffee is an integral part of your morning routine.
There are many problems that you may encounter with your Keurig coffee maker, but the most common one is when its water pump is not working.
In this article, we will discuss the reasons your Keurig machine pump is not working and what to do if this happens.
Why Is My Keurig Machine Pump Not Working? (Common Reasons Explained)
Limescale Presence
This is probably one of the primary reasons your Keurig coffee brewer is unable to pump water or not working properly.
In most cases, the problem with pumping water lies in the type of water you use in your machine.
If you’re using tap water or fresh water from a well, this type of water often has a lot of minerals in them, including calcium and magnesium which aren't found as much in filtered or bottled water.
This can cause a mineral buildup in the water lines of your Keurig machine, and as these minerals build up it can cause limescale that may clog your system and stop it dispensing water.
While the limescale itself can stop the Keurig machine pumping water, lack of proper descaling can aggravate the problem.
If you haven’t been descaling your Keurig machine frequently or you’re waiting for a couple of months before you do so, the limescale would stick to your pump and continue to build up.
Air In The Line
It might sound impossible to happen, but the air in the pipeline of your coffee maker can it unable to pump water.
So, if you find your Keurig not pumping water but you’ve been maintaining it properly, it’s most likely because of little air bubbles in the water lines.
Don’t panic; you can easily remove it so it can start pumping water again.
The ‘More Water Please’ Misconception
In some cases, even if you’ve already filled the Keurig with the right amount of water, it still gives you the “More Water Please Error.”
This can be a frustrating issue because you know you have put in the appropriate amount of water, yet it’s asking for more.
If you’re getting this error, two things might have happened.
First, you might be using the wrong type of water, or second, the water reservoir might be sending some false signals to the coffee machine, which leads to the Keurig not pumping water.
Damaged Pump
If you have been properly maintaining your coffee maker and you’re not experiencing an error message, the most obvious reason is that your pump has physical damage.
Like any machine, some of its parts will wear out over time, and it's natural for it to break completely or partially.
If your Keurig mini pump is not working and you've had it for a while, it probably has a damaged pump.
Clogged Entry & Exit Needles
For you to understand this cause for the Keurig not pumping water, you need to know what the needle in the Keurig machine is for.
The entry needle is the component that pierces the foil part of the coffee pod (K-Cups), allowing the hot water to flow through the machine to make coffee.
In certain situations, the needles become clogged with dirt and coffee grounds.
If this happens, no water flow will get through the machine, plus it will be unable to pierce through the top of the coffee pod.
Misaligned Keurig Components
If your Keurig Vue pump is not working, one reason could be its parts are misaligned. If you've recently disassembled the device, you might not have put it together correctly.
Ensure that all components are inserted correctly to fix this issue and get your Keurig pumping water again.
Water In The Tank Is Below The Minimum Fill Level
Have you checked your water tank already?
If not, it might be below the level. This is an obvious reason for the Keurig not pumping water, but most of the time, users forget to check the water tank, assuming right away that there might be a serious problem with their device.
So, if you encounter a Keurig B60 pump not working or any model’s pump, always check if it has the appropriate amount of water in the tank as this could be just the quick fix you need.
How To Fix A Keurig Not Pumping Water? (DIY Solutions For Popular Models)
Fix 1: Descale Your Keurig Coffee Maker
If there’s limescale build-up in your coffee maker, a simple descaling can fix the faulty Keurig water pump. Follow the solution below:
What You’ll Need
Instructions
- 1Fill the water reservoir/ water tank with water mixed with 2 to 3 tablespoons of descaling solution. Ensure that it’s all the way to the fill level.
- 2Then, put a cup or any glass on the drip tray. Be sure to close the lid of the K-Cup holder before running a brew cycle.
- 3Next, run a brew cycle which is appropriate to that cup size. After the first full cup, refill the water reservoir / water tank with the acid mixture and run a second cycle.
- 4If the coffee maker has some serious limescale deposit, turn off the machine as soon as it brews. This allows the water to stay longer in the pipe and remove stubborn debris preventing it from pumping water.
- 5After brewing the machine twice with the acid mixture, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before moving to the next step.
- 6Fill the water tank with clean, distilled water, or the closest thing you can find, and run another brew cycle.
- 7Repeat step 6 at least three times more to expunge any traces of acid from the device.
Note: If your coffee cup tastes funny after descaling, try running multiple brew cycles using distilled water until it returns to normal.
There are just some acid solutions left, and you just need to completely clean them.
Fix 2: Remove Air In The Pipeline
If there’s air in your line, a little shake in the water reservoir can help release it.
Some people recommend using a turkey baster to clean air from the machine's reservoir water intake, but honestly the turkey baster method is a bit complicated.
Here’s what we'd recommend instead:
What You’ll Need
Instructions
- 1Remove the water reservoir and fill it until it's a quarter full. Then, put it back in the machine.
- 2Once the reservoir is placed back, lift it up and down rapidly until you see some small air bubbles coming from its bottom. Continue doing it until there are no more air bubbles.
- 3After ensuring that the air bubbles are released, fill the reservoir to the fill level and press the power button on your coffee maker to check if the issue persists.
Fix 3: Clean The Needles
If you find your Keurig not pumping water then cleaning its needles can solve the issue. This coffee maker has two needles: upper and lower.
In some cases, cleaning them both fixes the water pump problem.
What You’ll Need
Instructions
- 1Switch off the machine and unplug it from the power source.
- 2Then, lift the handle and remove both the K-cup pod and holder. This protects them from any damage.
- 3The upper needle is narrow with three holes. Look for the inlet of the needle.
- 4After you’ve located the inlet, straighten the paper clip and carefully insert it into each hole for about an inch. Wiggle the clip to remove any debris that’s clogging it up.
- 5Next, you need to clean the lower needle. Get the pod holder and pull from both of its ends to remove the funnel and expose the narrow tube found at the bottom of the pod holder.
- 6Insert the paper clip into the tube and wiggle it to unclog and remove debris.
- 7Using running water, rinse the pod holder and funnel to clean the debris.
- 8Then, put all the components back and check if it will dispense water.
Fix 4: Disassemble And Reassemble The Machine
This is a general fix to any problem you might encounter with your Keurig, including its pump not working.
It isn’t as hard as it sounds, but you need to be very careful with each component so you won’t break anything. It's also worth consulting the user manual if you can.
Here’s how to do it:
What You’ll Need
Instructions
- 1First, you need to remove the cover under the handle. This will allow you to see and access the device. Once you’ve removed the cover, you’ll see the blade that pours water into the pack, a rubber hose, and another blade below it.
- 2Using the toothpick or paperclip, carefully poke three holes in the upper blade. This will remove any debris that is stuck to it.
- 3Check everything and remove anything else that shouldn't be there, like water, tiny remains of coffee on the water filter, limescale, or anything that isn’t part of the machine.
- 4Next, inspect all the hose ends and ensure that nothing is blocking them.
- 5Do a last check and make sure that all parts are clean. Put all the components back in place and close the lid.
- 6Try opening the machine again and see if it fixes the issue.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Can I replace the pump in a Keurig?
Yes, you can, but some people may find it difficult. However, if you know your way around tools, you might be able to replace them easily.
How much is a Keurig pump?
The replacement pump's price varies depending on the model of the Keurig coffee maker you have. In many cases, you may be better off just purchasing a new Keurig.
How long do Keurig pumps last?
The average lifespan of a pump is five years. But this could change depending on how you use and maintain it.
Keurig makes noise when drawing water – What does this mean?
It's normal for your Keurig to make noises when brewing coffee, and that includes drawing water.
However, if it's louder than usual, it could be because it's clogged with mineral deposits, the machine is broken, or you’re using an older Keurig model and may need a replacement.
Conclusion
Keurig coffee makers are convenient, especially for an avid coffee drinker, and can help you get the caffeine fix you need every day.
However, like any device, it’s susceptible to technical issues like a faulty water pump.
Hopefully, the fixes above solve the problem with your machine so you can continue enjoying your favorite coffee cup.
If you're still struggling then you should contact Keurig customer service who will be able to give detailed advice on all types of Keurig machines.
