If your Keurig keeps asking you to add water, it can be down to several factors. The problem usually goes away after you have completed regular maintenance and cleaning. If this doesn’t solve the problem, there are a few other solutions to try.
Many people love to start their day with a fresh coffee. Besides its great taste and smell, getting that energy boost is a vital step in the morning routine of millions.
Some of us prefer to make it by ourselves while others are happy to buy it at a coffee shop. However, it’s pretty awesome when you get the chance to just push a button and get your coffee in less than a minute without waiting in line.
Unfortunately, that blissful moment sometimes turns upside down if your coffee machine suddenly stops working.
One of the most common problems people face with their Keurig is the “add water” error, even though the water tank isn’t empty. What causes it and how can it be solved? Read on to get all of the answers.
Why Does My Keurig Keep Asking Me To Add Water?
Let us have a look at why this happens and how you can deal with it, as there can be a couple of reasons for the issue.
Not enough water – The simplest problem is indeed not enough water in the tank. Sometimes you see your tank 1/3 filled and might think that it is enough for a coffee.
Depending on the machine and the function used, the device may not see it as enough water to complete the process. It’s an obvious first step but make sure that the machine is completely full.
Lack of maintenance – If you never cleaned your machine it will stop working sooner or later. Just the same as any other device, machine, or equipment that needs maintenance, your Keurig machine needs some care too.
You can find many videos on how to safely disassemble and properly clean your Keurig. If you are not comfortable with that, there are companies out there who would be able to refurbish it for you.
Excessive minerals – You need to clean your water tank often. If you use tap water, sometimes due to an excessive amount of minerals or even dirt, the pump can get blocked and needs cleaning. It is advised that you use bottled or filtered water to avoid the issue.
One easy way to clean away minerals is to run some distilled vinegar through the machine which will clear it out and unblock any sensors. Keurig also sells their own descaling solution for this reason. Mineral build-up is a big issue for any coffee machine.
Incorrect tank placement – It might sound funny but it happens. Sometimes you don’t place the water tank properly back in its place. Make sure it’s fitted as it should be and there is nothing blocking its path. This can be the issue if your “add water” warning comes and goes at seemingly random times.
Is There an Indicator Problem?
If you have an old Keurig machine, you can check out the water tank. At the bottom right side, you’ll have a black bit of plastic that moves up and down depending on your water level.
That part is used as an indicator to the machine whether there is enough water or not. Even though the water tank is full, if that part is stuck down it will signal the machine that there is not enough water.
All you need to do is remove the water tank, fill it up a little and shake it up, a few small hits might also help get that part up floating. Once it is up fill the water tank full and place it back and give it a try.
Sometimes the machine starts working and suddenly stops, giving you the “add water” error. If you’ve checked that the floater is up, try blowing air on the overflow. You can find on the top left just where you put the tank water. Sometimes this fixes the problem.
The new Keurig machines do not have the floating indicator on the tank water. The water indicator is on the small plastic component which connects to the water tank.
This has four probes that are used to sense water and signal to the machine if the water tank is full. Sometimes, a probe might not have contact with water particles which will automatically signal no water. What you can do is try to pour water directly into the inlet increasing the pressure of water in that part.
Repairing a Keurig
If you’ve tried all of the above and nothing has worked, then you’ll have three options. The first is that if the coffee machine is under warranty, you can return it. If you aren’t in your warranty period, you can either replace it or repair it.
Repairing it can be quite complicated and the parts can be a little difficult to source. Thankfully there are quite a few online videos to help but these repairs can be tricky unless you’re used to fixing electrical items.
Due to the time needed and the money required for a spare part, it often makes sense to get a new coffee maker.
FAQs On Keurig Keeps Saying Add Water
How long do you let vinegar sit in Keurig?
Run the vinegar through a cycle and then leave it for a few hours. After this, run through fresh water to rinse it.
Can vinegar ruin a Keurig?
No, vinegar is a natural cleaning solution that will be completely safe for your Keurig.
Where is the reset button on my Keurig?
This depends on the model but they can usually be reset by simply unplugging them for five minutes.