Keurig not pumping water?

How frustrating a situation that is when you wake up in the morning rushing towards your Kitchen in a hope of a good cup of coffee and find that your Keurig is not pumping any water.

You could hear the struggling sound of the coffee brewer, but it is not dispensing anything or just a small amount of water.

Let’s discuss some of the potential reasons why you’re Keurig not pumping water, as well as other Keurig water flow problems and solutions to fix them. So keep reading to learn how!

9 reasons why your Keurig not dispensing water?

These are some potential reasons why your Keurig is not dispensing water.

1. Clogged water lines and filters due to the buildup of debris and scales.
2. Add more water Error
3. Air bubbles in water channels lead to blockage
4. Misaligned Keurig components
5. Clogged entry and exit needles
6. Magnet issue
7. Water is below the minimum fill level
8. faulty or clogged mesh screen in the reservoir
9. Damaged pump

Let’s discuss each of these reasons in detail and their troubleshooting solution.

6 Solutions for Keurig not pumping water

There are some quick fixes to resolve Keurig not pumping water issue!

Solution 1) Descale your Keurig coffee machine

Seemingly, clogged water lines and filters are one of the most prominent reasons why you’re Keurig not pumping water properly.

Water used to brew coffee in Keurig left some minerals that cause limescale buildup inside the machine. With time, this buildup gets big enough and ultimately results in clogged pipelines. This can also cause the Keurig to drip slowly.

So it is recommended by Keurig to descale your machine every 3 to 6 months or after every 300 cups of coffee to unclog the water lines from minerals.

You can use Keurig Descaling solution or white vinegar for descaling.

Follow these Keurig Descaling instructions or watch the video below to descale your Keurig.

Solution 2) Air bubbles in water channels lead to blockage

Air bubbles escape in the pipe while drawing water from the water tank and ultimately obstructs the water flow.

This usually happens when you try to run Keurig without filling the reservoir with water. Because there is no water in the tank, the pump sucks air bubbles into the water channels.

And these air bubbles get stuck in the water pipes and Keurig faces problems in pumping water even if you fill the water tank after that. So, in order to deal with this, follow these instructions.

1. Unplug the brewer, and remove the water reservoir and drip tray.
2. Grab the Keurig in both hands and shake it vigorously. This may sound weird but this shaking will help to get rid of air bubbles stuck inside.

Another hack to fix this issue

Open the water reservoir tank, and shut the connection (opening hole) of the coffee maker and water tank with your finger.

Now, run a water-only brew cycle without inserting any pod inside the machine. This forces the brewer to pump water through the water lines, expelling any air bubbles that are creating the clog.

Make sure that you cover the water hole with your finger throughout the process.

Or this video may help to solve this problem.

Solution 3) Clean the water tank exit valve

The Keurig machine won’t be able to pump water if there’s a problem or blockage at the water reservoir exit valve.  

In many cases, this issue can be resolved by descaling the machine, but if the issue persists, you should follow these steps to clean the exit valve.

1. Empty the water tank. Use a soft cloth or towel to clean the area where the water tank connects to the machine.
2. The valve is located at the bottom of the water tank. The valve is held in place by three screws. Unscrew the valve with a screwdriver.
3. The valve has a screen that might be clogged with minerals in the water.
4. Place the valve in a cup of vinegar for one to two hours. All the buildup material will be removed by vinegar.
5. Rinse the valve with water properly before putting it back into the machine.

Hopefully, it will solve your problem.

Solution 4) Clean needles to unclog the Keurig that is not dispersing water

There are top and bottom needles that punch holes in the pods while they are brewing.

Over time, coffee grounds get stuck around needles and eventually become clogged. This condition is more likely to occur if you don’t dispose of the K cup immediately after brewing.

Clogging in needles interferes with the flow of water, so Keurig will not dispense water fully or your Keurig might not brew a full cup.

Clean the exit needle that is located at the bottom of the base holder.

• Lift the lid handle and remove the pod holder.
• After that, remove the funnel present at the bottom of the pod holder.
• Take a paper clip or sewing needle and move it around inside the tube to remove any kind of debris.
• Rinse the pod holder and funnel with warm, soapy water.

To clean the needle located inside the Keurig head, follow these instructions.

1. Turn the machine off.
2. You will find the top needles underneath the head of the machine with caution.
3. Take a paper clip or sewing needle and insert it into the holes of the needle. Move around the clip to remove debris.

Watch this video for detailed instructions.

Remember, the machine may eject hot water after unblocking the upper needle. It is recommended to wait for the machine to cool down before trying to unblock the inlet needle. Also, while working with sharp needles, be careful.

Solution 5) Ensure correct water magnet alignment

There are magnets inside the water tank by which Keurig identifies the water level inside the tank.

Sometimes with the regular use of the coffee maker, the water magnet gets misaligned from its original position due to vibrations while brewing. Keurig becomes unable to detect the water level and eventually stops dispensing water if the magnets get misaligned.

To resolve these issues, follow these instructions

1. Tap the tank slightly near the magnet housing. 
2. If this doesn’t function, give it a slight shake.
3. If you still don’t succeed, then you’ll need to purchase a new water tank.

You can buy a new Keurig water tank from here

Some Keurig models detect the water level in the tank by sensing the minerals in the water. That sensor will not work if you are using distilled water. So if you use distilled water for brewing coffee that might be the reason your Keurig is not pumping water.

Solution 6) Damaged pipe or pump

If the problem persists after complete cleaning and descaling. Then there might be a leak in the inlet pipe or the pump of your machine might be damaged.

You can’t repair a water pump if it’s damaged. However, you can easily buy a replacement water pump for your Keurig at a cheap price from Amazon.

For checking the pipe, you have to disassemble your Keurig machine. If you detect any holes in the pipe then these are the main culprit why Keurig is not pumping water. In that case, you have to repair the water pipe of your Keurig machine.

But before going to take any kind of step, it is highly recommended to contact Keurig customer support to seek their professional support.

This video will help if you are going to do it on your own.

What to do if Keurig coffee Maker still not Pumping water?

If all the above-mentioned tips have not proved to be fruitful for you, and the problem is still there, then you can call Keurig customer support or seek help from a technician.

If your machine is still under warranty then Keurig customer support will repair or replace the machine free of any cost.

However, if your machine is more than 6 or 7 years old and keeps teasing you by getting damaged every now and then. I recommend you buy a new machine because your Keurig has already completed its lifespan.

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