Keurig 2.0 Troubleshooting: 16 Common Problems and How to Fix Them

In a perfect world, when you turn on your coffee maker it performs exactly the way you want it to. However, that’s not always the case when it comes to Keurig 2.0. Often times Keurig 2.0 won’t brew, won’t turn on, it leaks or it can’t read k cups.

This can be frustrating but don’t worry, most of these things can be fixed in a few easy steps. Here are a few Keurig 2.0 troubleshooting tips you can use to fix your coffee maker and your morning too.

Image source: Keurig .com

1. How to set up Keurig 2.0 brewer

You will find a step-by-step guide in the manual and it’s important to follow all the steps correctly.
1. plug in the brewer
2. lift the handle and remove the shipping disk
3. rinse the water reservoir, fill with water and return to the unit
4. press the Power button and wait to preheat (needs approximately 3 minutes)
5. now, you need to run a cleansing brew. place a mug on the drip tray, open and close the handle without inserting the k-cup, select 6-ounce setting and press brew. when finished, get a clean cup and use your brewer to make coffee.

2. Keurig 2.0 won’t brew, Keurig 2.0 not dispensing water

First, make sure to wait long enough. The heating process may last about 3 minutes, so be patient. If nothing happens after this time, then make sure that:
1. The water reservoir is placed properly and there is enough water in the reservoir;
2. The handle is lowered completely and you have the brew setting screen.
If everything seems fine, the water reservoir is in place, brew button has been pressed and nothing happens for more than 5 minutes, call customer service to help you troubleshoot your brewer.

3. Keurig 2.0 won’t turn on

To turn on Keurig 2.0 plug in the brewer, then press and hold the power button (the power icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the touchscreen). You should see a welcome! note. If it doesn’t turn on you can do few things: Check to make sure that the brewer is plugged securely, unplug and plug in the brewer, plug the brewer into a different outlet. As the last step, Keurig even recommends resetting your home’s circuit breaker just in case. If nothing works, then you should definitely call Keurig customer service.

4. Keurig 2.0 add water /more water please error

Refill the water reservoir to the max fill. You can also remove and place the reservoir back to the unit to make sure it’s placed properly. Press continue.
If there’s enough water in the water reservoir, the reservoir is placed properly, but you’re still getting this error here’s what you can do. Remove the water reservoir and empty the water. Clean the reservoir by hand using soap and non-abrasive cloth and rinse thoroughly (not dishwasher safe). Check the valve at the bottom of the tank and on the machine where the tank goes. The valve can sometimes get clogged and this can cause problems.
When done, fill the reservoir to the max fill and return to the unit, and make sure it’s seated properly. If it doesn’t work, it’s time for customer service.

Related: How to clean Keurig 2.0

5. Keurig 2.0 trickle while brewing

It has to do something with its new brewing technology, but it’s absolutely normal for a new Keurig 2.0 not to dispense water in a stream but to trickle coffee. As long as you get a selected beverage size at the end, it’s fine. If you’re getting only partial cups try cleaning exit needles and descaling the machine.

6.Keurig 2.0 leaking water when heating

When Keurig leaks while preheating, the machine might be clogged. Try cleaning exit needles, the k-cup holder and the disc under the holder. Also, check the valve at the bottom of the water tank to make sure it’s clean and looks fine. The third option is again, the tap method. If nothing is clogged but the machine still leaks, it’s probably the hose or valve inside the machine and you will need to call Keurig customer service for further assistance.

7. Keurig 2.0 won’t stop pumping water

If your Keurig 2.0 won’t stop pumping the water try the tap method: turn off the unit, remove the water tank, turn the machine upside down, shake slightly and tap the bottom a few times. Also, if you’re using distilled water, switch to tap, filtered or bottled water – this should fix the problem. It’s not recommended to use distilled or softened water in Keurig coffee makers.

8. Keurig 2.0 leaking water after brewing

If your Keurig 2.0 is leaking water after brewing, try cleaning the k cup holder and exit needles, and don’t forget the little tray that sits under the k cup holder. This part can get full of grounds and debris and that can cause problems. Take it out and wash it with dish soap and warm water.

9. Keurig 2.0 shuts off for no reason

Make sure that there is enough water in the reservoir and refill if needed. If that seems fine, check the energy saver option for K350 or auto on/off option for K450 and K550.
For K350 go to settings, energy saver and turn off this option. Press save to confirm and then use back to return to the settings menu.
For K450 and K550 go to settings menu, then auto off or energy saving option, just uncheck the little box next to enable option. Don’t forget to press save to confirm.
If auto off/energy saving mode is disabled but brewer still turns off on its own, please contact Customer Service.

10. Keurig water under pressure

Keurig water under pressure error usually indicates the problem with the exit needle. Carefully open the handle, take out the pod and clean the exit needle. You can clean exit needles using a paper clip or you can use Keurig maintenance accessory. If this happens more than once or twice in a row, or cleaning isn’t helping anymore (that’s possible too) please do not disassemble the unit and try fixing it on your own, but call customer service for assistance instead.

Here’s how to clean exit needle on Keurig 2.0.

11.Keurig 2.0 won’t close

Sometimes the handle gets stuck for no reason. There is a really helpful video I found on YouTube I recommend to check out.

12. Keurig 2.0 stuck on preheating

The machine needs about 3 minutes to do an initial preheating. If the process takes longer, then it’s possible that something is wrong with the machine. Unplug and plug in the brewer again to repeat the process, just in case. Make sure that the water reservoir is in place and there is enough water in the tank. If everything seems fine but still nothing happens, it’s recommended to call Keurig customer service.

There is a fix that worked for some of my readers. You unplug the machine, fill the tank with hot water and turn the machine back on. The machine should recognize hot water and start working again. Please note, Keurig only recommends adding cold water in the tank, so while the fix usually helps please use it at your own risk.

13. Keurig 2.0 auto on won’t work

The brewer will not sometimes brew if there’s not enough water in the reservoir. Also, if you lift the handle or move a carafe after you turn on the auto ON, the auto brew will cancel. If you’ve done everything right, there was enough water in the reservoir, you didn’t move a carafe or lift a handle after you’ve set the auto on, the enable box was checked and you didn’t forget to press SAVE, but it still doesn’t work then it’s because of the machine and you can call Customer service

14. Keurig 2.0 screen problems

Unfortunately, screen issues are very common with new Keurig 2.0 brewers, and in most cases, the touch screen isn’t working or there’s a blank screen. There’s really not much you can do except to unplug and plug in the brewer. Also, here’s a good fix that often helps. But, please pay attention to how often this happens. If it’s just once or twice it’s not a big deal, but if you think it’s happening too often, call Customer service. It’s not something that will solve on its own and I don’t like the idea of turning the machine on and off all the time because the screen goes crazy.

15. Grounds in the cup

Do not use softened water in Keurig machines. If you always get a messy result and coffee grounds in the cup, try switching to bottled or tap water. Keurig doesn’t recommend using softened water in their machines. Fill the reservoir with bottled/ tap water, run a few brew cycles without inserting the k-cup to rinse the machine and then make the coffee. This should solve the problem. Regular cleaning is also important. Make sure to clean the brew head from time to time and keep your machine nice and clean.

16. How to use non-branded k-cups in Keurig 2.0

Keurig 2.0 brewers only work with Keurig branded k-cups or more precisely – the one with updated labels. Keurig 2.0 scanner won’t brew old Keurig branded k-cups (the one without an outer ring and Keurig brewed seal), non-Keurig brand packs or old type of reusable k-cups. However, there are few things that you can do to brew any k-cup brand in Keurig 2.0:
1. You can cut the top of updated Keurig branded k-cup or k-carafe and attach it on top of non-branded k-cup.
2. Cut the left side of the updated label and attach it to the left side of any k-cup you want to brew
3. You can attach a part of the label over the scanner itself.

If you want to use your own coffee in Keurig 2.0 or you simply prefer eco-friendly options, you can purchase Keurig 2.0 reusable filter for $8.00. This filter works with all 2.0 series brewers and it’s optimized for brewing a k-cup size (4 – 12 ounce). If you want to brew your own coffee as a carafe, you can get a reusable carafe filter.

SUPPORT
I hope this helps. If this didn’t solve your problem or you don’t see a specific issue listed here, please contact Keurig Customer Service for further assistance. Keurig warranty period is usually one year. Customer service help is available 7 days a week at 866-901-2739.

resources:

Keurig 2.0 cleaning routine
Troubleshooting tips for classic Keurig models