• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Hero Kitchen

  • Kitchen Products
  • Food & Drink
  • Kitchen
  • Air Fryer
Home » Keurig descale light stays on: How to Fix it?

Keurig descale light stays on: How to Fix it?

April 4, 2021 by Katie Williams

Everyone loves to enjoy their coffee in the morning or during any time of the day.

Someday when you take the Keurig and start it on and while placing your cuppa you don’t hear the usual sounds your Keurig makes and there is a light that turns on and stays on.

This usually happens because there is something being put into the machine and it needs a bit of time to do what it needs to do. When the Keurig makes these sounds, it is telling you it is done.

The first thing you may notice is the Keurig descale light stays on, and you may experience the coffee maker produces a weak or inconsistent cup of coffee.

Also, you may notice the water doesn’t seem to drain completely from the tank. You may even hear a faint gurgling noise. A clogged filter is the most common cause for these symptoms

You should stop pouring

when the light turns off and the machine then stops running.

This will cause the filter to need to be changed. You can tell because the water runs out. You need to let your machine rest for a minute and when you start it back up and insert the filter it will turn on immediately

Wondering how you should fix this irritating issue? Today we are going to look at the best possible way to fix the descale light on your Keurig staying on.

First of all, Keurig is a company that manufactures coffee makers that prepares single-serve coffee for you.

Contents show
1 Why does the descale light come up?
2 How to solve the problem of descaling light on your Keurig?
3 How to Clean The Keurig Exit Needle?
4 Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
4.1 How often should I descale my Keurig?
4.2 Can I hit my Keurig to dislodge scale build-up?
4.3 How do I descale my Keurig with lemon juice?
4.4 How do I descale my Keurig with citric acid?
4.5 How much vinegar do I use to clean my Keurig?
5 Conclusion
5.1 Related Posts:

Why does the descale light come up?

It’s a problem that has plagued coffee maker owners since Keurig unveiled its innovative, single-serve coffee maker: Descaling light stays on.

It can be particularly frustrating when the problem is intermittent, since it can be difficult to tell exactly when to descale the machine.

Regular maintenance will also keep your Keurig Coffee Maker from developing a stale or moldy smell. You should also clean out your coffee maker at the end of the brewing season and before it goes into storage.

In this article, I’ll explain what is causing your Keurig descale light to stay on, and how to fix it.

The purpose of the descale light is just to show or tell you that your coffee maker is dirty and needs cleaning.

Image
Top Choice
Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, Silver,Extra Large 90 oz. Water Reservoir
Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker, Comes with Dishwasher Safe Milk Frother, Shot Capability, Nickel
Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, With MultiStream Technology, 66 oz Dual-Position Reservoir, and Customizable Settings, Black
Title
Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, Silver,Extra Large 90 oz. Water Reservoir
Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker, Comes with Dishwasher Safe Milk Frother, Shot Capability, Nickel
Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, With MultiStream Technology, 66 oz Dual-Position Reservoir, and Customizable Settings, Black
Check Price
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Amazon
Top Choice
Image
Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, Silver,Extra Large 90 oz. Water Reservoir
Title
Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, Silver,Extra Large 90 oz. Water Reservoir
Check Price
Check Price on Amazon
Image
Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker, Comes with Dishwasher Safe Milk Frother, Shot Capability, Nickel
Title
Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker, Comes with Dishwasher Safe Milk Frother, Shot Capability, Nickel
Check Price
Check Price on Amazon
Image
Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, With MultiStream Technology, 66 oz Dual-Position Reservoir, and Customizable Settings, Black
Title
Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, With MultiStream Technology, 66 oz Dual-Position Reservoir, and Customizable Settings, Black
Check Price
Check Price on Amazon

When the water passes in the machine there is something that happens known as scaling. This simply happens when small particles of calcium and many other sediments get collected in the inner part of your coffee maker’s machine.

When something like this happens the descaling light will automatically turn on. In short, now your machine needs some cleaning. If the machine gets very dirty then it might also stop working.

How to solve the problem of descaling light on your Keurig?

The most appropriate reason for scaling is the hardness of your water. I would recommend you to use softer water for your Keurig machine. If you use hard water, there might be possibilities of getting your machine scaled regularly. Filtered water also makes a mess and turns on the light.

First Unplug the brewer and remove both the water reservoir. You should make a full rise out of your water reservoir.

You should avoid using filtered water. This ensures that the scale does not scratch your coffee machine and if it does, you can scrape the scale off. It is recommended to use the fresh water.

A good advice is to clean the scale when you take a break. Caffeine is very hard to dissolve in boiling water. Therefore, if you are about to use boiling water, make sure to scale your machine at least after a 30-minute rest. Also, you should check that the scale is functional before boiling your water.

Its an exact and obvious reason behind the descaling light turning on in your Keurig. You can use a chemical that is known as Dezcal which will help you descale the machine.

You can also use vinegar to make the process easier and better. Use the mixture of Dezcal and vinegar inside the machine. This will make the descale light turn off.

Here is an official video from Keurig showing how to descale your Keurig coffe maker

If you want to maintain your machine you will need to use the descaling solution after several months. For this, you will need the descaling solution with you.

How to clean the machine in simple steps.

  • Take your Keurig and empty the water filter and remove it.
  • Then turn the machine off.
  • Now pour the descale solution inside the machine.
  • Take a bottle and fill it with fresh water then add it to the reservoir.
  • Now just switch the machine on and put a cup under it.
  • Now pour the mixture into the sink.
  • The process repeats which adds fresh water and turns the light on.
  • Switch on the brewer for 30 minutes.
  • Rinse the water reservoir properly.
  • For cleaning it properly, perform these steps for 10-12 times.

How to Clean The Keurig Exit Needle?

The exit needle is a piece of metal that can be damaged if you put a large object in the Keurig. The exit needle is a very important part because it pokes the coffee filter and makes a hole for the coffee to come out of while brewing. Since it is a small part, most people ignore it and don’t know how to clean it.

Here is hands on video for you demonstrating how to clean the exit needle.

 

For buying a Keurig coffee maker click the below-mentioned link.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GV2S1GS/

Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should I descale my Keurig?

It’s time for a Keurig maintenance 101: among the most common issues with these famous one-cup coffee makers is a tendency for them to become clogged with mineral deposits, and if you don’t clean the machine regularly, it will start to produce weaker, less flavorful coffee. It’s time to give your Keurig a tune up.

We will give you some tips on how to descale your Keurig. Keurig Descaling Solutions

There are essentially two ways to descale your Keurig: a solution you can make at home using vinegar, or a more convenient solution with a Keurig descaling kit that you can buy at any major retailer.

Keurig recommends performing the descaling process approximately every 3 months.

Official Keurig recommends changing the water filter in the water tank every 2 months and using their rinse capsules once a week. Personally, I’ve never used the rinse capsules, but I think it’s a good idea to run a cycle or 2 with just water once in a while to keep the tubes clean.

Can I hit my Keurig to dislodge scale build-up?

If you have a Keurig coffee maker, you know that scale build up can be a problem. Scale can make your machine less efficient and cause your coffee to taste bad.

Coffee machines are not cheap! The Keurig—a single-cup coffee maker that lets you make just one coffee at a time—is no exception. If you have one, you probably don’t want to take chances with it. That’s why you keep it clean—and not just the outside, but the inside, too. You have a habit of taking the handle off the top, washing it, and then putting it back on. You know you should do that once a month, but you’re busy, and you’ve got other things to do, so it just keeps slipping your mind.

Of course, I’m sure Keurig doesn’t recommend it and your warranty may be voided. However, there are people who rely on this method when all else fails. It even has the official name “Slap and Burp Method”.

In this article, I will talk about this in more detail, including what not to do to avoid voiding the warranty. But here’s a quick step-by-step guide.

  • Unplug the appliance
  • Remove the water tank and collecting tray
  • Hold the device upside down and tap the bottom several times
  • Reassemble everything

Basically, you are trying to relax with perseverance. But there is another potential benefit. Your Keurig has a magnet that matches the water tank magnet (so Keurig knows how little water is available).

Too much lime build-up can cause the magnet to stick and give it the dreaded light of light, even when there is a lot of water.

How do I descale my Keurig with lemon juice?

If you have used your Keurig for a long time, you may find that the water from the machine is not tasting as fresh as it once did. This might be because of calcification in your Keurig, and one of the best ways to fix this is to descale your machine. Although descaling is quite simple, many people struggle to do it. When you have a Keurig coffee maker, you may have to descale it from time to time. This is especially true if you have hard water and/or use mineral-rich distilled water. However, you don’t need to pay for the expensive descaling solutions sold in stores. You can make your own descaling solution using lemon juice and vinegar.

You will need a 1:1 ratio of lemon juice to water to make the mixture. So you will need about 7oz of lemon juice (almost 1 cup).

How do I descale my Keurig with citric acid?

While there are some methods to descale a Keurig without citric acid (e.g., vinegar), these methods take more effort than using citric acid, which is readily available in a household’s kitchen.  Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, with billions of people drinking it every day.

But no matter how much you love the stuff, nothing ruins a cup of coffee like a stale, or sour, taste. That’s where descaling comes in. Descaling is a process that removes mineral deposits and other impurities from your coffee maker. It is really important to descale on a regular basis since it helps keep your coffee tasting its best. It’s easy to forget to descale your coffeemaker, but there is a simple solution: citric acid.

After the normal descaling process of your Keurig, use 1-2 tablespoons of citric acid powder in a full water container (depending on the size of your unit).

Citric acid powder can usually be found in the baking section of your grocery store, where pectin and gelatin can be found. But you can also find out where they carry vitamin C pills.

Citric acid is the primary ingredient in Keurig’s official descaling solution, but buying a 1 lb bag would be more economical than buying their descaling solution (which is about 50% water).

How much vinegar do I use to clean my Keurig?

This seems like a simple question, but there are a lot of conflicting opinions out there.

The quick answer is to use just enough vinegar to make the water cloudy. Most people believe that more vinegar = greater cleanliness, but it is actually the other way around.

To clean a Keurig, first add the vinegar to the water, then run a cleaning cycle.

Stirring the solution should be done with a ratio of 1 to 1 of white vinegar to water.

For most Keurigs, this means you will need a total of 14 ounces of homemade descaling solution.

So mix 7 ounces or white vinegar with 7 ounces of water.

This will get rid of all the old coffee grounds and leave it smelling fresh. If the machine still doesn’t smell clean after that, repeat the process. To avoid this problem in the first place, run a vinegar-water cycle once a week.

If the coffee oil and coffee dust are not cleaned, the coffee will brew with a bad taste.

Conclusion

Descaling light is a light that reminds you to regularly clean your machine when required and you don’t have to worry if your Keurig stops working it might only due to the calcium particles cloaked inside the machine.

We learned that using Hard water might damage your machine.

And descaling should be done regularly and the solution to use for the same.

For preventing the descaling light to turn on and use the selective solution within three months and wash the machine with it.

Related Posts:

  • Rice Cooker Boiling Over Why It Happens _ Fix It
  • Nutribullet Stuck: How to fix it?
  • Why does Keurig coffee taste bad?
  • How Long Can You Store Water In A Keurig?
  • Why Does My Keurig Barely Drip? (and what to do about it!)
  • Keurig Says Add Water But It Is Full. What To Do?

Filed Under: Keurig

Katie Williams

About Katie Williams

I’ve been cooking ever since I can remember. I first perfected the art of Ramen Noodles. When my dad taught me how to make scrambled eggs for the first time, I cracked the egg directly on the counter and failed to get any of the egg in the bowl. Every time I cook for my family I get a chance to explore my love of food.

HiroAsianKitchen.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and we may get a commission on purchases made through our links.

Related Posts:

  • Rice Cooker Boiling Over Why It Happens _ Fix It
  • Nutribullet Stuck: How to fix it?
  • Why does Keurig coffee taste bad?

Home    About Us Privacy  Contact Us     Affiliate Disclosure

Copyright © 2021 · Hiro Kitchen Reviews

Privacy Policy