Keurig Flashing Lights: Should You Worry? [Troubleshooting Tips]

Is your Keurig’s blinking light driving you nuts? Afraid your beloved coffee machine is about to give up? Don’t fret! I’m here to explain what those lights are telling you.

When your Keurig’s lights blink, it’s talking to you. Steady lights mean all’s well and your coffee’s on its way. But if they’re flashing, something’s up—it could be an empty tank, a filter mishap, blocked tubes, or time for a descale.

Solve your Keurig flashing lights issue fast with this simple guide. No more stress!

Why Are the Lights on My Keurig Blinking?

Every Keurig coffee maker comes with lights that serve two purposes: one indicates it’s working fine, and the other signals a problem. While figuring out some lights is straightforward, others might have you consulting the handy Keurig user manual for help.

Keurig lights under normal operation

Before diving into the flashing lights of your coffee maker, it’s essential to understand how a Keurig functions. The process is straightforward: turn it on, fill up the water, insert a coffee K-Cup, and hit the brew button. Simple, right?

Here are the usual lights involved in a functional Keurig.

• Steady Green Power Light. Once you press the power button, a small green bulb automatically lights up to inform you that electricity is running in the system. This light also means your Keurig begins heating the water for your brew.

• Flickering Button Lights. Keurig size options and Keurig strong coffee have blinking buttons to indicate the machine is ready to brew. Once you pick the brew settings, the lights on the selected buttons remain on during the brewing process (about a minute).

Keurig lights as problem indicators

Seeing blinking lights on your Keurig? No worries! These flashing signals are like an alarm, telling you that it’s not ready to brew just yet. Think of them as a helpful reminder to check if everything’s set for your coffee adventure.

Identifying issues in a machine with many parts can be tough. Luckily, Keurig uses special lights to highlight common problems, making Keurig troubleshooting easier for you.

• Keurig Add Water Light or Blue Flashing Light. Every Keurig model has a water reservoir that requires a minimum and maximum level of water. If the water volume falls outside this range, the machine cannot brew, and the blue light alerts the user. 

• Keurig Descale Light. Mineral buildup commonly occurs every 3 to 6 months in all coffee makers, regardless of the brand. They can affect the taste of your coffee or block the pipes of your machine. If so, the descale light alerts the user to start the Keurig descaling cycle.
  
  However, the Keurig coffee maker may misinterpret what a mineral blockage is. For example, a densely packed reusable K-Cup may register as scale buildup and result in lit descale light.

• Keurig Add Water, Heat, and Cup Size Light Flashing. These three lights have different purposes, but when they are simultaneously flashing, you may have a problem in your hands.
  
  Unlike the first two lights, these Keurig blinking lights do not pinpoint a specific issue. It may indicate an incorrectly installed filter, clogged pipes or needles, dislodged parts, or a poorly maintained coffee maker.

Troubleshooting Common Keurig Flashing Lights 

Seeing flashing lights on your Keurig isn’t the end of the world. Actually, they’re clues to figure out what’s wrong. Once you know the issue, you can easily fix your coffee maker.

Keurig add water light flashing

If your coffee maker’s “add water” light won’t turn off, even after filling the tank to the max and making sure it’s correctly placed, don’t worry! There are a few more steps you can try to fix the issue.

1. Check and wipe the reservoir port with a clean cloth. The machine may read a low water level due to possible blockage in the valves connecting the reservoir to the coffee machine. Ensure these pipes are clear from any debris before securing the tank back.

2. Fill the tank until the max level. Once done, properly align the reservoir into the machine, and the light should stop blinking.

3. Reset your Keurig. If the add water light remains on, turn the power off, unplug, and turn the machine back on. This method is the typical restarting process, but some models follow a specific procedure.

If you’re still having trouble, it’s time to call in the experts. Reach out to Keurig support for help. Sometimes, the issue is a manufacturing flaw that you can’t fix yourself.

Keurig descale light flashing

Besides everyday cleaning, your coffee maker needs a thorough clean now and then. This means getting rid of mineral buildup on the metal parts. If you’re new to this, learn how to descale your Keurig here.

1. Prepare the coffee maker. The water reservoir, pod compartment, and filter holder must be empty. Also, if your Keurig has an auto-off feature, disable this to avoid any disruptions during descaling.

2. Pour the cleaning solution into the tank. You may use a 50/50 vinegar-and-water solution or the Keurig descaling solution to clean the internal parts of your coffee maker. If you used the latter, fill the empty bottle with water and add it to the reservoir.

3. Place a mug in the drip tray. The container will serve as the catch basin for the descaling solution passing through the machine.

4. Run a rinsing brew. If your model has the Keurig hot water button, press it to start the cycle. Otherwise, begin it manually by turning the power on, opening and closing the lid without a K-cup, and running a usual brew.

5. Dispose of the waste and repeat. Depending on how often you descale, your machine may need more cycles than necessary.

6. Rinse the reservoir and pipes. Place the tank under running water and rinse it several times. After which, run a rinsing cycle to flush the interior of any solution. These steps should shut the “Descale” light off.

7. Pack your reusable K-Cups correctly. If nothing is working and you’re using reusable pods, they may be causing the error. Your coffee pods should not be too tight, too much, or too dense so that the machine can run smoothly.

If these tips don’t help, ask a pro or contact Keurig support for assistance.

Keurig all lights flashing

Seeing all those blinking lights on your coffee machine can be really stressful, especially when you’re not sure what’s wrong. Is it something about the filter, a part that’s come loose, or maybe a blockage? Without a clear cause, your best bet might be to try priming your Keurig or giving the whole machine a thorough check-up.

1. Refill and secure the water tank. If the tank does not click smoothly in its appropriate slot, the valves may not interlock and convey water. Such poorly aligned water reservoirs usually show air bubbles from the intake. 

2. Clean the water tank. Wash with mild soap, and gently wipe the walls and valves of the tank. Remove trapped debris and drain the reservoir with clean water. 

3. Descale the machine. If light wash does nothing, a deep clean is your next bet. Pour a descaling solution into the empty reservoir and run a cleansing cycle repeatedly. After which, rinse the excess solution with clean water through the machine.

4. Inspect the needle. While wearing a pair of gloves, open the pod compartment and check the stability and tidiness of the sharp metal that punctures the top of your K-Cup.

Make sure the needle stays put with a soft touch and is clean. If you spot coffee leftovers, grab a clean pin or a straight paper clip. Gently tap the needle with it to clear away any bits.

5. Inspect your water filter. After considerable usage, particles can accumulate and clog the mesh screen. Avoid this by removing the filter, brushing it gently with water, rinsing, and air drying. After which, ensure the filter fits properly back in the machine.

6. Reset your Keurig. Sometimes, electronics do not need a fix – only a simple restart. Some Keurig models reset with a simple power off and on, but others like the Keurig K-Duo have more steps like pressing both 8 oz and 10 oz buttons for a few seconds.

If you’ve tried everything and it’s still not working, it’s time to reach out to Keurig customer support. Trying to fix it on your own could be dangerous and might even shorten your Keurig’s life. Keep it safe and ask for help!

Troubleshooting Flashing Lights of Specific Keurig Models 

Ever noticed some Keurigs have special blinking lights? These aren’t just for show! They signal unique features that might come with a fancier price. If you’ve got one of these flashy Keurigs, those blinks are telling you something cool. Let’s find out what they mean!

Not sure which Keurig you own? Check out this handy guide to find out and start brewing!

Flashing Red Brew Button (K-Mini Plus and K-15)

When your K-Mini Plus or K-15’s red light blinks, it’s heating up. A steady light means it’s brewing your coffee. But, if that light keeps flashing for over three minutes, something might be wrong. In such cases, reaching out to Keurig’s customer support is a smart move.

Flashing Clock and Power Buttons (K-Elite)

The K-Elite is a top-notch Keurig model, but it’s not perfect. If there’s a problem, you’ll know because the clock and power buttons will begin to blink.

If your machine acts up, try turning it off and unplugging it. Let it rest before turning it back on. Still stuck? Reach out to Keurig’s online support with a quick email for help.

Flashing Frother Light (K-Cafe)

The K-Cafe is a special Keurig model letting you add milk directly into your brew, perfect for latte lovers. Simply brew your espresso, then froth your milk. If the frother light blinks, it’s usually for one of three reasons.

1. You tried frothing while brewing.
2. You installed the whisk or the frother incorrectly.
3. You placed insufficient milk in the frother.

Once you fix these issues, the frothing light will turn off. If it doesn’t, reach out to Keurig’s hotline for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Next?

Every coffee maker comes with an expected lifespan, but don’t rush to replace it at the first sign of a blinking light. Often, these lights are normal. Sometimes, they hint at issues that can be fixed quickly and easily. The solution? It’s in your hands to tackle the problem.

Explore the world of Keurig coffee! If you crave a strong caffeine kick, check out the strongest coffee K-Cups. Prefer something sweet? A Keurig cappuccino could be your perfect match. Dive in and find your favorite!