Coffee Maker Troubleshooting
Having trouble with your coffee maker? Whether it's not turning on, leaking or producing bitter coffee, these common issues can often be fixed with a few simple steps. In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll walk you through how to diagnose and solve common coffee maker problems—from power and water flow issues to taste and temperature concerns. Use these tips to get your machine working like new and enjoy a perfect cup of coffee again.
Coffee Maker Won’t Turn On
- Coffee maker isn’t plugged in—Plug in the power cord.
- Coffee maker isn’t turned on—Turn on the unit.
- Blown fuse/tripped circuit breaker—Flip the circuit breaker.
Coffee Maker Isn’t Brewing/Dripping
- No water in reservoir—Fill the reservoir with the appropriate amount of water.
- Clogged water lines—Clean the water lines.
- Brew basket/carafe isn’t in place correctly—Make sure all components are placed correctly into unit.
- Filters are full or dirty—Empty and replace all filters to prevent any blockages.
- Excessive mineral build-up—Clean and descale the coffee machine with a vinegar solution.
Coffee Tastes Bad
- Coffee machine needs to be cleaned—Follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning instructions.
- Water used tastes bad—Switch to using filtered or bottled water to improve taste.
- Incorrect water-to-coffee ratio—Follow the coffee machine’s and coffee brand’s recommended ration for water and grounds.
- Stale coffee was used—Make sure coffee being used is fresh.
Coffee Maker Is Leaking
- Water reservoir or carafe is damaged—Have replaced.
- Water reservoir or carafe aren’t in correct position—Place the reservoir and carafe into the correct position to prevent leaks.
- Spout or tubing is clogged—Follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning instructions to remove clogs.
Clogged Water Lines
- Mineral buildup in water lines and filter—Follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning instructions for how to remove mineral deposits from water lines.
Water Won’t Heat in Coffee Maker
- Water reservoir isn’t in correct position—Place the reservoir into the correct position.
- Excessive mineral build-up—Clean and descale the coffee machine with a vinegar solution.
- Faulty or broken heating element—Have heating element replaced by an authorized service technician.
Coffee Grounds Are in Cup After Brewing
- Misaligned filter—Make sure the filter (paper or permanent) is seated correctly.
- Brew basket has been overfilled—Avoid overfilling the brew basket.
- Coffee grounds are too fine or too coarse—Use the appropriate grind size for your machine.
Coffee Maker Doesn’t Brew Full Pot
- Not enough water was used—Ensure the water reservoir is filled to the correct level.
- Mineral buildup in water lines and filter—Follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning instructions for how to remove mineral deposits from water lines.
- Coffee maker needs to be cleaned—Clean the coffee maker to ensure proper water flow.