Coffee Maker Won't Brew

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You're seeing solutions for Coffee and Espresso Maker. Select your model to find parts for your device.

Introduction

Troubleshooting your coffee maker before you've had your cuppa can be a struggle. No caffeine—no brain. your morning cup brewing and start the day off right.

The Basics

Before undertaking any of the more time consuming solutions below, these are a few fundamentals to get you started.

Turn your coffee maker off, then back on. A simple power cycle can clear up many minor issues. Especially if your coffee maker has digital, or touch screen components.
Ensure proper alignment of all parts. There may be safety settings that prevent the brew from starting if certain parts aren't in the correct spot.
Replace any filters within the unit. If you utilize a reusable coffee filter, replace that too.

Note:

This guide is focused primarily on automatic drip coffee makers, but a good starting procedure for any device is to follow proper maintenance.

If your water is soft, descale—with a proper descaling solution—every three months, or once a month if the water is hard. White vinegar will work in a pinch, but it can damage seals and metal components as well as leave its flavor lingering.

Causes

1

Clogged Lines

While regular cleaning helps prevent mineral clogging, buildup may still occur. Remove your bottom plate to access the water lines. The hoses can then be removed and visually inspected for buildup. Clean with soap and water and a small brush.

Inspect the ball valve. The specific location will vary based on brand and model, but it should be obvious if you follow the tubing. The ball valve allows fluid to move forward but not backward, and is a common failure point. It can be tested in two ways:
1. Shake the valve. This tell you if the ball is free and is a good sign it's functioning.
2. Remove the valve and try to blow through it. If you can only blow air in one direction, the valve works. If you cannot blow in either direction, clean the ball, and reassemble the valve.
If the valve isn't working even after some cleaning, it's time to install a replacement. iFixit has a few guides to help, but you may need to search for specific instructions if your model isn't listed.

2

Broken Thermostat

The thermostat is a safety switch which electronically energizes the heating element while there's water in the tank, and disconnects or opens the circuit after the water is gone and it's only heating itself. Unplug your machine, grab a multimeter, and open the bottom cover. If the thermostat continuity tests at room temperature between 0-1 Ohm (Ω) then it doesn't need replacing.

3

Blown Thermal Fuse

Find and test the inline thermal fuses. The fuse is a safety device designed to fail in the event of a runaway thermostat. In the event of a blown fuse or open circuit no power will reach the heating element and your coffeemaker will not brew. If either fuse tests outside of 0-1Ω, replace the fuse by installing another in parallel.