The last thing you need in the morning is your Keurig to stop working.
And today, it seems your worst nightmare has come true.
Why Keurig shuts off when I hit brew, you might be wondering?
Well, I have the answer.
In most cases, the issue is something that’s easily fixed.
And in this article, I’ve covered all the possible causes so that you can do the troubleshooting yourself.
So let’s get straight to the point!
Keurig Shuts Off When I Hit Brew
There are several possible reasons why your Keurig shuts down.
While some are simple to fix, others might require a bit more time and patience.
The Bottom of the K Cup is Unpunctured
As you’re probably aware, the way Keurig works is it punctures the pod with a needle once you close the lid.
But it doesn’t just pierce the top of the K-Cup. It also does the bottom.
Without the bottom hole, water would just collect inside the K-Cup, with no way out. And, of course, there’s only so much space inside a coffee pod to be filled with water.
Well, sometimes, a needle sitting underneath the pod chamber won’t puncture the bottom of the K-Cup. And in such a case, the Keurig machine will stop working in order to prevent the pod chamber from overflowing.
Why does that happen, you might ask?
Usually, the problem lies in the pod you’re using. Some K-Cups, like those that make cappuccino, have a slightly thicker body that’s difficult to pierce through with the needle.
If your Keurig machine stopped working when you hit brew, this is the first issue to check. Open the pod chamber and take the K-Cup out. If the hole is just partially pierced or not at all, then that’s the reason why your machine shuts off.
Luckily, fixing the problem is as easy as a piece of cake. What you should do in this case is just manually press the K-Cup inside the basket until it gets punctured.
The Needle is Broken or Bent
Another reason why your K-Cup might not get punctured on the bottom is that the needle is either broken or bent.
This is also an easily solvable problem.
And the tool for the job?
Pliers.
Just grab a pair and bend the needle back into its original position.
Brewing Process is Disrupted
While not that common, this is an issue some Keurig users experience in a specific situation.
For instance, let’s say you filled the water tank and turned on the machine. And then, you allow it to automatically turn off before brewing.
When you get back to brew your coffee, your machine might start up like normal. But a few seconds after it starts brewing, it might get interrupted in the midst of the process.
If this weird machine behavior happens, the best fix is usually the simplest – let it rest for a while. In most cases, it will work as new after an hour or two.
Of course, the best option is to always brew coffee right after starting the machine, before it goes off after being idle.
The Magnet in the Water Reservoir is Misaligned
Sometimes, a Keurig machine might shut down after you hit brew because the water tank isn’t in its correct position.
Keurig machines use magnets to keep the important parts in place. But all the coffee making can shake the machine so much that it causes the water reservoir to move out of line. And if that happens, your Keurig will stop working.
Quite dumb. But hey, at least it’s not broken!
Fixing the issue is two seconds of your time. The only thing you need to do is remove the water tank and put it back into its position. That’s all!
Tip: If you decide to drain your Keurig machine or meddle with its parts in any way, always double-check if you returned everything in its place.
The Keurig Needs to Be Descaled
No matter if you use tap or bottled water for your machine, the mineral buildup is bound to form inside the machine.
And if you don’t remove it on a regular basis, eventually, it will cause your machine to not work.
Again, this isn’t a tough problem to fix. However, it is slightly time-consuming.
But if you want your Keurig to serve you for many years to come, this is something you should be doing even when nothing seems amiss.
To descale your machine, you’ll need a Keurig descaling solution. Certain details might be slightly different depending on the model, but generally, the steps are the same.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Add the descaling solution into the empty water tank.
- Pour water into the tank.
- Grab a large mug and place it underneath the coffee spout.
- Check to make sure there is no K-Cup left inside the machine before running the rinsing brew. To do this, select the largest cup size option. Repeat until the “add water” sign is illuminated.
- Let your machine rest for about 30 minutes.
- Rinse the machine, then fill the tank up to the maximum line.
- Run 12 rinsing brews with the largest cup size selected.
And that’s all. It takes a bit more time, but it makes your machine work as new.
The Keurig Needs to Be Reset
In some cases, fixing the unusual shutdowns requires resetting your Keurig machine.
Here’s how you can do that:
- Turn your machine down and unplug it from the wall. Let it rest for a couple of minutes.
- Remove the water tank.
- Plug the Keurig back into the electrical outlet. Turn it on.
- Place the water tank back in place.
- Open the K-Cup chamber, then close it down.
That’s it!
What to Do if Keurig Keeps Shutting Off?
Sometimes, you can do everything above, and your Keurig coffee maker still decides to bail on you.
If that happens, it’s best to contact customer service to find a solution.
The number you should dial in this case is:
1-866-901-BREW(2739)
You’ll probably be asked to reset your machine and check the needle and water tank for proper position.
But if nothing works, they’ll tell you how you can make the best use of your warranty. In fact, if what’s wrong with the machine is not your fault, you’ll probably get a machine replacement.
Final Thoughts
A Keurig machine might shut down after you hit brew for a variety of reasons.
In most cases, the reason is that certain parts of the machine aren’t in their designated positions. Luckily, those issues are easy to fix, and you can get your coffee maker back to work in no time.
Sometimes, however, you might need to call customer service for troubleshooting.
But don’t worry. If the error is caused by a manufacturing defect, then you’ll get a fully working machine as a replacement.
In any case, you won’t be left without a machine that gives your daily caffeine fix.
