11 Fixes for Your Keurig Coffee Machine Not Turning On in 2024

As a former Keurig owner, I feel the struggle of running into a million issues with my device.

One of those being that it wouldn’t turn on. I wrote this guide to help you with your device not powering on potentially.

I’ll first provide various reasons your device could not be powering on. I’ll explain why that could prevent it from powering on, how to diagnose whether that’s the issue, and a solution (if applicable).

I’ll then provide general troubleshooting methods you could try.

Here is an overview:

We have a lot to talk about. Forward.

Key Takeaways

• Overheating can damage a Keurig—unplug it, clean it, and descale it to try and fix it.
• Check the outlet and power cable for faults if your Keurig has no power.
• Descale your Keurig regularly to prevent mineral buildup from affecting its function.
• Coffee residue clogs can prevent water flow, so clean internal parts of your machine.
• Electrical faults and some component failures usually require professional repair or replacement.

Reasons & Solutions for Keurig Machines Not Turning On

Here are potential issues and solutions for why your Keurig won’t power on:

The following sections will go more in-depth into potential problems that could cause your Keurig machine to not power on. I’ll also explain why those issues could happen and provide more in-depth solutions.

Let’s go.

1. Your Machine Has Overheated

• Solution: Unplug for a bit. Then clean and descale your machine.

Keurig machines can overheat when there’s insufficient water flow through the system, often caused by clogs or mineral buildup. An overheated machine might have internal safety mechanisms that prevent it from powering on as a protective measure until it cools down.

To know whether this is the problem, keep an ear out for unusual sputtering or straining. Or see if steam or smoke oozes from your machine while it runs.

Your machine may have suffered too much damage at this point if there’s smoke coming from it. Thus, requiring a replacement.

However, I have some solutions that you could try:

• Unplug and cool: Unplug the machine and let it rest for at least 30 minutes to cool.
• Check for clogs: Inspect the water reservoir, needle, and any accessible tubing for blockages or buildup.
  • Clean if necessary.
• Descale: Run a descaling cycle using a Keurig descaling solution or white vinegar to address mineral buildup that may restrict water flow.
  • I’ll discuss descaling in more detail later.
• Try Again: After addressing potential causes, plug the Keurig back in and attempt to turn it on.

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, your Keurig may have a damaged thermostat or other internal component requiring professional repair or replacement.

If this is your machine’s issue and the steps above didn’t work, you may need to skip to the section where I talk about reaching their customer service. If your machine isn’t smoking and doesn’t smell like burnt plastic, you may have a less severe issue.

Summary: A Keurig can overheat due to clogged water lines or mineral buildup. An overheated Keurig may shut down as a safety precaution and exhibit signs like unusual noises and strange smells.

2. Bad Plug Outlet

• Solution: Try a different plug outlet.

Keurig machines can draw a lot of power, especially during the initial heating phase. If your outlet is old, has loose wiring, or is shared with other high-wattage appliances, it could overload the circuit and damage the outlet.

A faulty Keurig with damaged wiring or internal components could cause a short circuit, tripping the breaker or damaging the outlet. This is more likely if you observed sparks or smelled burning coming from the machine.

A damaged outlet might not supply any power to the Keurig, causing it to appear completely dead. Or a partially damaged outlet may provide unstable or insufficient power, preventing the Keurig from successfully powering on or functioning properly.

Here are the solutions I recommend:

1. Try a different outlet: Move the Keurig to a known working outlet to eliminate the original outlet as the problem.
2. Test other devices: Plug in a different appliance to the original outlet.
   1. If that appliance doesn’t work, the outlet itself is likely faulty.
3. Check the power cable: Inspect the Keurig’s power cable for any visible damage like fraying, kinks, or exposed wires.
   1. A damaged cable could prevent power from reaching the machine.

Let’s talk more about potential power cable issues.

Summary: A bad plug outlet may prevent your Keurig from powering on. Try using it on a different outlet.

3. Faulty Cable

• Solution: Replace the cable.

Constant bending, flexing, and pinching will gradually damage your Keurig’s power cable. Or you could have accidentally crushed or cut the cable. It could also not be your fault. Maybe the quality control on your machine was bad.

If the wires inside the cable are broken or damaged, electricity cannot flow from the outlet to the Keurig, preventing it from turning on. Kinda obvious.

Is there a solution for this?

If you read the first sentence in this section, it’s not an easy one. The only reliable solution is to replace the power cable entirely.

If you want to DIY, here’s how:

• Obtain a replacement: Contact Keurig customer support or search online retailers (e.g., Ebay) for a compatible replacement power cable for your specific model.
• Unplug and disassemble: Unplug the Keurig and, if necessary, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to partially disassemble the machine to access the cable connections.
• Replace cable: Disconnect the old cable and install the new one, ensuring secure connections.
• Reassemble and test: Reassemble the Keurig and plug it into a working outlet to test if it powers on.

If you’re uncomfortable with electrical work, or your Keurig is under warranty, contact Keurig support for assistance or potential repair/replacement options.

This next problem and solution is much easier.

Summary: A faulty cable will prevent your machine from receiving power and will require a replacement.

4. Limescale Buildup

• Solution: Descale your machine.
• What You’ll Need:
  • Descaling solution, diluted white vinegar, or citric acid
• Time Commitment: 30–40 min.

Limescale is a hard, chalky deposit primarily composed of calcium carbonate that forms from minerals in water. As water heats and evaporates in your Keurig, these minerals accumulate on the internal components, restricting water flow and affecting the heating element.

Limescale buildup might not directly prevent your Keurig from powering on. However, it can lead to reduced performance, inconsistent brewing, and eventually, the heating system could fail.

Potentially causing the machine to not function at all.

You’ll need to descale your machine. And here’s how:

• Prepare the solution: Use a commercial Keurig descaling solution, citric acid, or a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water.
  • Fill the water reservoir with the solution.
• Begin the descale cycle: For most Keurig models, locate the descale button or mode (refer to your manual).
  • If there’s no dedicated button, start a brew cycle without a K-Cup pod and stop it mid-way to let the solution sit in the machine.
• Rest: Allow the descaling solution to sit inside the Keurig for at least 30 minutes to break down the limescale.
• Rinse: Empty the water reservoir, rinse it thoroughly, and refill it with fresh water.
  • Run multiple water-only brew cycles until the vinegar smell (if used) has dissipated and the water runs clear.

How can you brew with water-only cycles without a machine that can power on? If you can get the machine to start once, then try this solution.

After this initial descale, aim to descale your Keurig every 3–6 months for regular maintenance. If you live in an area with hard water (high mineral content), you will need to descale your machine more frequently (every 1–2 months).

Doing this will prevent excessive limescale buildup.

Must read: Undiluted vinegar is acidic, and while effective for descaling, prolonged exposure to full-strength vinegar could potentially damage rubber seals or internal plastic components in your Keurig.

A common ratio is 1:1, equal parts white vinegar and water, providing sufficient cleaning power without the risks associated with undiluted vinegar.

I recommend avoiding vinegar because the taste can linger for a while. Citric acid—1 tablespoon with 4 cups of water—will do the same job without leaving any taste in your coffee maker. It’s what I always use. However, it’s a tiny bit pricier and more difficult to find.

If you have a more severe limescale buildup, or live in an area with hard water, the Keurig descaling solution is the best option. It’s the most effective at eliminating limescale due to including ingredients like silicic acid and phosphates.

Don’t worry about these ingredients. They’re food-grade. Ensure you run multiple cleaning cycles if you want to be thorough.

If this solution didn’t work, all the problems from hereon will look grim (regarding fixability). Let’s move forward.

Summary:  Limescale buildup can cause your machine to overheat and not power on. Descale your machine to fix this.

5. Reset the Thermostat

• What You’ll Need:
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Flathead screwdrivers (a couple of sizes)
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Paper clip
  • Ohmmeter and multimeter (optional, but helpful)
• Time Commitment: <1 hr

This switch acts as a temperature sensor and safety feature, cutting power to the device if it overheats.

A faulty thermostat on a Keurig will prevent your device from turning on because it interrupts the electrical flow. You may typically notice this in models like the K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus, or the K-Supreme Smart.

Diagnosing a thermostat problem usually involves unplugging the device, locating the switch, and using a multimeter to test for continuity.

Here’s a vague overview on the steps you’ll need to take:

1. Unplug your Keurig machine to ensure it’s not powered.
2. Take off the water reservoir.
3. Remove the drip tray and locate the screws concealed by rubber feet and an adapter (if applicable).
   1. Remove all screws.
4. Pry the shell of the Keurig apart, unhooking the tabs that hold it together.
   1. There may be some resistance while working around the handle.
5. Find the heating element assembly.
   1. The thermostat should be directly on it.
6. Before proceeding, look for signs of melted plastic or other damage in the area, indicating a potentially more serious issue.
7. Test thermostat (Optional): Using an ohmmeter on the appropriate setting, test the thermostat for continuity. An “overload” reading likely means it has tripped.
8. Reset thermostat: With a long paperclip, carefully press the tiny reset button located in the hole on the thermostat.
9. Test reset (Optional): Using the ohmmeter again, you should now see a continuity reading.
10. Put the Keurig shell back together, ensuring all tabs are re-engaged and screws are in place.
11. Plug your Keurig in and attempt a brew cycle.

I recommend watching the video on where I learned how to do this. He’s a good YouTuber with a lot of tips on Keurig devices:

Resetting the thermostat might address a one-time overheat but shouldn’t be relied upon repeatedly.

Severe overheating can have several causes, potentially beyond a thermostat reset. If your Keurig doesn’t work after the reset or your machine still shows damage, it may need professional repair.

And at that point, it’s time to do the most terrifying thing possible…

Summary: You’ll need to disassemble your Keurig to access the thermoswitch.

6. Coffee Residue

• Solution: Clean your machine.
• What You’ll need:
  • Paperclip or Keurig needle cleaning tool
  • White vinegar, citric acid, or Keurig descaling solution 
  • Toothbrush
  • Dish Soap

Buildup of coffee grounds and residue can clog the internal water lines and needles within the Keurig. This restricts water flow, potentially causing the pump to overwork and the heating system to become stressed.

The obvious solution is to clean your machine to dislodge the residue.

Here’s how you’d deep clean your Keurig:

Cleaning removable parts

1. Unplug the Keurig for safety.
2. Remove water reservoir, lid, drip tray, drip tray cover, and water filter (if applicable).
3. Disassemble K-Cup holder and funnel.
4. Soak removable parts in hot soapy water or place in the dishwasher.

For internal cleaning, open the Keurig and use a toothbrush to remove loose coffee grounds.

You’ll also need to descale if you can get your machine to power on at least once. I provided a more in-depth guide on Keurig descaling earlier. Read that to learn how to descale your machine. I don’t want to repeat myself.

I might have lied when I said that all the problems for your machine are terminal. The next problem and solution aren’t that bad. Maybe.

Summary: Clean your machine to get rid of coffee residue, which can lead to your machine not working properly.

7. Water Tank Isn’t Connected

• Solution: Realign your water tank.

Many Keurig models have sensors that detect if the water tank is correctly seated. This is a safety mechanism to prevent the machine from running without water, potentially damaging the heating element.

You’ll need to realign the water tank to potentially fix this issue. Look for small magnets on the back of the water reservoir and their corresponding spots on the Keurig itself.

From there, reposition the water reservoir, ensuring the magnets make smooth contact and align correctly. Try adjusting the magnets with your fingers if they seem slightly off. After realignment, attempt to power on your Keurig.

If you’ve gotten to this point in the article, I have grave news for you about your Keurig.

Summary: A misaligned water tank can trigger a safety mechanism that prevents your Keurig from powering on. Realign the water tank to fix this.

8. There’s an Electric Fault

• Solution: Replace the machine.

Power surges, component defects, or gradual wear and tear can damage various parts of your machine. For instance, the control board or internal connections. If these are damaged, there’s likely no way you can get your machine to start.

To diagnose this issue, you’d need to disassemble your machine and look for loose, broken, or burnt wires. Only do this if you like taking risks. Because if you make a single mistake with disassembling or reassembling your machine, you could permanently damage it.

For instance, you may accidentally damage a wire when ripping apart your device.

What do you do if this is the issue?

Hope that your machine is under warranty. Because your best bet is to contact Keurig’s customer service and to replace it. Otherwise, you can only fix it by DIY. The way you’d dismantle and fix different electrical components in your machine varies by model.

Search on YouTube for tutorials and good luck.

If none of these are the issues with your machine, try standard troubleshooting. I’ll cover these next.

Summary:  Your control board or internal connections may have issues, which’ll require you to replace them or get a new machine.

Additional Troubleshooting for Keurig Machine Not Turning On

Here are other troubleshooting techniques you could try if the above doesn’t work:

I’ll explain how to do each of these more in-depth.

Here we go.

1. Ensure Everything Is Plugged In

Ensure that the power cable is correctly plugged into the mains and that your coffee brewer is powered on via the switch or the button. If you didn’t try using a different plug—like what I mentioned—do so now.

There’s nothing further to explain. Now, you’ll want to power cycle your machine.

2. Power Cycle: Turn it Off & On

Keurigs contain a small onboard computer that controls their functions. Like any computer, it can experience software glitches causing it to freeze or malfunction. Powering your device off and on (power cycling) may wipe these glitches.

Here’s how to power cycle:

1. Turn off the Keurig machine.
2. Unplug the power cable from the wall outlet.
3. Leave unplugged for at least 30 seconds.
4. Replug the machine into the wall outlet.
5. Power on your Keurig.

This troubleshooting method obviously won’t work if your machine doesn’t power on at all. Neither will the next technique. But the one after may be of more use.

If your machine still powers on once in a while and power cycling didn’t help. You may need a hard reset.

Summary: Unplug your device for 30 seconds then power it on again.

3. Hard Reset

The same reason you’d want to hard reset your machine is why you’d want to power cycle it. It’ll reset the software and eliminate potential errors.

Factory (or hard) resetting your device will vary by machine. You’ll need to refer to your manual for more in-depth steps. I couldn’t find many instructions on hard resetting most Keurig models. Good luck.

But here’s a vague overview of what to do:

K-Supreme/K-Supreme Plus

• While pressing and holding 2 arrow buttons, press the menu button
• Continue until reaching “Factory Reset” page
• Press “K” button
• After reset, unplug for 10 sec

K-Duo

• Press power button once
• Press and hold 8 and 10 oz buttons for 5 sec

K-Classic

• Press and hold medium cup, large cup, and auto button simultaneously for 3 sec

This last method is more complex, but a more realistic fix for many Keurig devices.

Complain to Keurig’s Customer Service When All Else Fails

Did nothing above work? It’s time to contact Keurig’s customer support.

Note: Don’t use our support. We’re a third party that has no affiliation with Keurig. 

Here are different ways to reach them:

• Chatbot: You won’t talk to an actual person.
• Phone: 866–901–2739.
  • Available 7 AM–12 AM (EST) everyday.
• Service request: You’ll need to provide your name and email.
• Facebook: There’s no way to message them.
• Instagram: There’s a “message” button.
• X (Twitter): They seem responsive if you tag their account.

Contacting them may only work if your machine is within its warranty period (1 year) [1]. Otherwise, they’ll likely tell you that you need to purchase a replacement machine.

Don’t harass the customer service representative if this is the case. They’re just doing their job. And if they can’t replace it, you’ll need to get a new machine.

If you stick with Keurigs and want to save money, wait for a sale or shop for a refurbished one. To save more money, get a used one. Though, with a used one, you may get a device that has similar issues to what your Keurig had.

But you’ll save a lot of money. It depends on how lucky you think you are.

You may find more useful information in the frequently asked questions. Read on to learn more.

FAQs for Keurig Machine Not Turning On

There are a couple of extra pieces of recommendation that I’d recommend you consider if your Keurig coffee machine won’t power on.

How Long Should a Keurig Coffee Machine Last?

On average, a Keurig coffee machine should last between 3 to 5 years [2].

Does Troubleshooting Vary Between Keurig Models?

Yes, troubleshooting can vary between Keurig models due to design differences. For instance, older Keurig models might require manual descaling, while newer ones may have an automatic descale mode.

Conclusion

Many reasons can cause a Keurig not to power on. Start with simple troubleshooting like ensuring everything is plugged in correctly and cleaning the machine, but more complex issues may necessitate contacting Keurig for support.

If you’ve become tired with your Keurig device like me, it’s time to move on to a different device. Check out other single-serve devices that we recommended.