Nespresso is an excellent choice for brewing great coffee but even with its growing appeal, some coffee drinkers report that Nespresso frequently leaks coffee or water.
Sometimes wear and tear might be the cause, and sometimes your bad luck can cause your Nespresso machine to leak. Like many other electrical appliances, Nespresso coffee machines are not indestructible.
The main reasons for leakages in the Nespresso machine are clogged pipelines, faulty pump or heating elements, clogged nozzles, or dirty capsule holders. Nespresso can also leak if you haven’t cleaned or descaled it for a very long time.
What do we discuss in this article?
- What are the reasons for the leakages in the Nespresso machine?
- Descaling and Cleaning the Nespresso machine to avoid leakages
- Complete the troubleshooting guide on how to fix a leaking Nespresso machine
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REASONS for the leakage in the Nespresso machine
There are several reasons behind the leakage of Nespresso. These include
| Problem | Causes | solution |
| Nespresso is leaking water from the bottom | Faulty water tank Faulty internal pipework Faulty pump or heating element Drip tray | Replace a Faulty component with a new component |
| Water or Coffee is Leaking from the capsule holder | Usage of defective or 3rd party coffee pods. Nozzle blockage or obstructions The capsule holder is dirty | Descale your Nespresso machine |
| There is clogging inside the machine | You haven’t descaled the machine for a long time | Descale your Nespresso machine |
Descale your Nespresso Machine to fix Leakage Issues
Not descaling the machine on time is the most common cause of leakages in the Nespresso machine.
If you haven’t descaled your machine in a while and facing leaking issues then descaling your machine should be your first bet.
Nespresso recommends that descaling must be performed once in 3-6 months or after 600 cups of coffee.
However, you have to descale your machine more frequently if you use hard water with high mineral content.
I strongly suggest using Nespresso’s descaling kit to maintain your coffee machine’s optimal performance. Refrain from employing DIY methods like baking soda or vinegar, as they might cause unintended damage.
If you have already descaled your machine and still it is leaking then there might be some other problem. Continue reading!
A) Nespresso machine leaking from the bottom
Sometimes puddles or drops of water start to accumulate at the bottom of the machine.
You can check for leaks by lifting the machine immediately after using it.
This usually happens because of damage or deterioration of the following components
- The water reservoir
- Thermo block or heating component
- Internal water pipework
1. Leakage in the Water Tank
If your Nespresso is leaking from underneath most probably the water reservoir of your machine is damaged.
To check the leakage in the water tank you can do two things:
Spot any visual crack if there is any you have to replace the water tank.
If there is no visible crack, fill the water tank with water and put it on some cloth. Check the cloth after some time if it’s damp then surely some small invisible cracks in the water tank are causing your Nespresso to leak.
Also check the rubber seal at the point where water reservoir connects the machine. If the seal isn’t intact the water will leak out of it.
You can buy a replacement water tank from Amazon or check out local stores or recycling centers.
2. Faulty internal Pipework or heating element
To find water leaks in the internal piping, run the Nespresso machine while it is disassembled to detect water leaks.
Disassemble the back panel of your machine to find the faulty component inside of the machine.
Please note that this will void the warranty of your machine and you should only try it if the warranty period of your machine has expired.
Simply claim the warranty if your machine is under 12 months. Otherwise, you can seek help from a qualified service technician.
Replacing damaged parts of the machine is always better than repairing the old parts. Because older parts can start malfunctioning again.
3. Water leakage from the drip tray
A common reason why a Nespresso machine leaks from the bottom is the drip tray, which is the part that catches excess liquid from the water tank.
When the drip tray is full, the excess liquid can spill out onto the counter, making it seem like the machine is leaking.
To prevent this, simply empty the drip tray after every use or when it is full.
A drip tray is often made of fragile plastic that cracks easily and leaks. In that case, you have to buy a replacement drip tray which you can easily buy for a few bucks.
B) Nespresso leaking water or coffee from the top
If water doesn’t properly infuse the coffee capsules during the brewing process, it can lead to leaks around the capsule box of your Nespresso machine.
This issue typically occurs when the head of the machine is dirty or you are using low-quality or reusable Nespresso capsules.
1. You are using defective 3rd party Coffee Pods
You might be tempted to use 3rd party capsules with Nespresso original line machine as the cost of branded capsules is very high.
But Low-quality 3rd party coffee pods especially those made of plastic can cause leakages in your Nespresso machine.
You have bought a Nespresso coffee machine for convenience and you must accept the fact that there is a cost for any convenience.
So, always use trusted third-party capsules like Starbucks, or stick to branded Nespresso capsules.
Check out my favorite 3rd party Nespresso Compatible pods that are not faulty!
2. Nozzle blockage
One of the most common causes of Nespresso leakage is a buildup of coffee residue in the piercing plate, and it eventually stops piercing the capsule efficiently.
When the capsule is not pierced properly the water starts leaking as it can’t find a way to pass through the capsule.
When you brew coffee in a Nespresso, a little residue of coffee grinds is left behind in the capsule holder especially if you don’t discard the used capsule right after brewing.
If you do not clean your Nespresso regularly, coffee residue builds up and eventually clogs or blocks the pipe and pierces the plate.
You have to disassemble the brewing chamber of your machine to clean it. Watch the following video and follow the instructions.
3. Dirty Capsule Box
During the brewing process, pressurized water rapidly passes through the coffee capsule, and it expels some ground particles into the Capsule holder of the Nespresso machine.
To prevent this buildup and maintain optimal cleaning, wipe the holder with a clean cloth after each use to ensure a fresh and consistent brewing experience.
To fix the problem, clean the inside of the capsule box using a damp cloth or brush with hot soapy water.
After cleaning run a rinsing cycle to clean out the debris you have loosened.
Read a guide on Cleaning Nespresso machine
Contact NESPRESSO Support if the leakage persists
If cleaning does not solve the problem of leakage then there might be a problem inside your Nespresso coffee machine.
In that case, it is best to call Nespresso Customer Service.
Nespresso has one of the best customer services and they always try to take every step possible to solve your problem.
Repairing Your Nespresso Vertuo Isn’t Always Feasible. Why?
While, in theory, you can fix a broken seal or something, it’s not doable in practice. The Vertuo design contains many patented elements, and the entire design is specific to the Nespresso brand.
This means that finding spare parts won’t be feasible, and if you can find them, it will be expensive. Also, you won’t find much advice on repairing a Vertuo machine by hand.
If your Nespresso Vertuo Keeps blinking and you want to know the reason behind it. Read our detailed guide on How to fix Nespresso flashing orange.
Final Thoughts
Even though it’s the last thing you want in the morning, you can still fix a leaking Nespresso easily.
With a few quick troubleshooting steps, we can quickly identify which part is causing the leak and what to do to fix it.
Generally, not descaling the machine on time is the most prevalent reason behind the leakages in the Nespresso (Other components malfunction very rarely). So start with descaling the machine if you are facing this issue.
Check out the comparison between Nespresso Vertuo Plus vs Next
Will Nespresso replace my machine?
Nespresso will repair or replace your machine if it is still in the Warranty period. The warranty period is usually one year for original Nespresso machines. Within that period you can claim the warranty and get your machine fixed without any cost
How long does a Nespresso last?
The lifespan of a Nespresso is usually between 4 to 5 years. Nespresso machines are built with high-quality parts and can last for a lifetime if maintained properly
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