Nespresso Troubleshooting (Nespresso common problems and how to solve them + more information)

This is something that everyone who owns a Nespresso machine has to experience. I have been owning a Nespresso machine for almost a year now. Recently it started malfunctioning, and I didn’t know what to do. I got disappointed since I thought it was broken, but a friend told me it could be a common mistake that could be repaired in minutes. I researched to learn what the problem could be, and true to my friend’s words, I got to fix it in no time. Therefore, I decided to write this article to teach you all about Nespresso troubleshooting and how you can solve it, so read till the end.

Common problems in a Nespresso and their solutions?

Air in the Nespresso system.

This means that the Nespresso lacks pressure to function properly. It may be because of brewing coffee with a dry water tank or opening the Nespresso when the brewing process is incomplete. The machine makes a loud whizzing noise when it has this problem because it blows air instead of brewing coffee. This is a common mistake that many people make, but it is easy to fix.

The Nespresso machine not turning on.

Sometimes, the Nespresso machine may not be working because it is off. It can be because you have not switched on the socket it is plugged on. Another reason may be because the Nespresso machine has turned on the power saving mode after a set period of time passes when the Nespresso is still on. This enables the machine to save energy, especially when it is not in use.

Water leakage from the Nespresso

Water leakage is a common problem in the machine, mainly caused by the water reservoir being disconnected. Sometimes you may remove the water tank and not lock it in properly when connecting it to the machine. This will cause water leakage.

Also, the leakage may be because of a clog in the water tank causing an internal blockage that backs up water. It happens when you don’t descale the Nespresso machine.

Coffee not being hot.

Your Nespresso may not be heating your coffee because of accumulated sediments in the water tank which may cause the pipes to absorb the heat that’s supposed to heat the coffee. Also, it may be because the coffee mug you are using is cold; hence it saps heat from your coffee.

The Nespresso machine takes a short or long period to extract coffee.

The Nespresso machine should take about 25 to 30 seconds to extract one shot of coffee. If it takes less than 25 seconds or more than 30 seconds, it means that it has a problem that needs fixing. It happens when you don’t clean the Nespresso machine or when you don’t descale it. It may also be because you have interfered with the pour volume by re-programming it.

The capsule leaking.

This problem may be because the capsule is disconnected from the capsule holder. It can also be caused by a blockage in the grid plate area; hence water isn’t entering and exiting the capsule well.

Coffee grinds sticking on the grid plate.

If you use the Nespresso machine for too long without washing the grid plate, coffee grounds may get stuck on the grid plate. It may cause more problems to the Nespresso machine or even make your coffee have less quality. Therefore, it is best to fix the problem as soon as you notice it.

How to solve Nespresso’s common problems?

Fix the Airlock in the Nespresso system.

Follow this procedure to fix the airlock in the Nespresso machine.

1. Fill the water tank with water.
2. Remove the capsule
3. Press the button to brew coffee and let the brewing coffee process run.
4. Repeat the process as many times as possible until the machine stops making the whooshing noise.
5. Connect the capsule, and the machine will be good to go.

Turn on the Nespresso machine.

Check whether you have switched on the socket and whether you have plugged the machine. If it is off, switch it on. Also, turn off the saving mode to turn on the Nespresso machine.

Repair the water leakage in the Nespresso machine.

The first thing you should consider doing when you notice water leaking from the machine is checking whether the water tank is well-locked. If it is disconnected, take it out and place it back, ensuring you position it well with the Nespresso machine.

If that is not the case, descale the Nespresso machine to remove built-up mineral scales that may be blocking water flow, causing leakage.

Enable the coffee to get hot enough.

You should descale the Nespresso machine to remove sediment materials blocking the pipes making it less efficient.

Also, to prevent the coffee mug from sapping the coffee’s heat, you should preheat the mug by pouring hot water into it for one minute before pouring the coffee.

Fix the time taken for Nespresso to extract coffee back to normal.

If the Nespresso is taking too long or a short time to extract coffee, do the following to fix this problem.

• Clean and descale the Nespresso machine. Ensure you clean the grid plate to remove the coffee ground remains. Also, clean the spout to remove sediment built up and rinse it well without inserting the capsule.
• Check whether you have re-programmed the pour volume. When you press the start button by mistake when the brewing process isn’t fully complete, you interfere with the pour volumes, which may cause this problem. Factory reset the machine to get it back to its original pour volume.

Repair the leakage in the capsule area.

First, check the capsule to confirm whether it is well-placed in the capsule holder. If it is not well connected, connect it or even remove it to can place it back properly.

Clean the grid plate when there is a leakage in the capsule area. Ensure you scrub the plate with a toothbrush to remove any coffee grounds blocking it. Then, rinse it thoroughly until clean water comes out of it.

Remove stuck coffee grinds on the grid plate.

To clean the grid plate, use a toothbrush and water. Using a toothbrush, ensure you scrub the grid plate properly and rinse it with water. The coffee grids will come out with water. Rinse until clean water comes out.

FAQ Section

Why is my Nespresso descaling light still on?

It may be because you haven’t rinsed your Nespresso with enough water after using the descaling agent. Therefore, the best solution to enable your Nespresso descaling light to turn off is to rinse it again.

Another reason why the Nespresso descaling light is still on may be because the descaling process was too fast or you missed an essential step while descaling. In this case, repeat the whole descaling process carefully.

How do I fix the orange and red lights on my Nespresso machine?

The orange and red lights on the Nespresso machine are there to alert you to concerns that require to be addressed. The lights show that you either need to clean, empty the capsule container, descale, or fill the water tank with water. To fix the lights, you need to address either of the issues immediately.

Why won’t my descaling light go off on my Nespresso?

Your Nespresso descaling light won’t go off if you haven’t rinsed the machine well after using the descaling agent. Also, it may be because you missed an important step while descaling the Nespresso.

How do I get the descale light off on my Nespresso?

To get the descaling light to go off, you will need to rinse the machine with a lot of clean water. If it is still on, repeat the descaling process, step-by-step carefully.

How do I get my Nespresso out of descaling mode?

To get the Nespresso out of descaling mode, press and hold the lever and the button simultaneously for around 4-5 seconds until the light turns green, and let the Nespresso reset for about 10 minutes before using it.

What happens if you don’t descale a Nespresso machine?

If you don’t descale your Nespresso machine, mineral scales build up in it, causing blockage of water flow. It can also cause the machine to stop working, and sometimes your coffee won’t be heated enough to enjoy hot coffee.

How do I turn on the descaling button on Nespresso?

This will depend on the type of machine you are using; hence it is recommended to use the manual guide. For example, for the Nespresso Pixie machine, you first turn on the machine, then press and hold both the lungo and espresso buttons until the light starts blinking.

How many times do I rinse after descaling a Nespresso?

For a regular Nespresso machine, you should rinse it twice after descaling since it has a small water reservoir. For a Nespresso VertuoPlus, its water tank is large enough; hence you can rinse it once.

How do you run a clean cycle on a Nespresso machine?

Remove the water tank and pour water into it to the point it is indicated max. Put the water tank back into the Nespresso machine and press the button on the machine. This will enable it to run a clean cycle, and it will stop when it is done.

Can I use vinegar to descale my Nespresso?

Yes, though, it is not recommended since it leaves an awful smell that may affect the smell of your coffee.

Should I descale my Nespresso machine twice?

It is not necessary to descale the Nespresso machine twice, though it would cause damage to the machine. When you descale your machine once, and all the build-up minerals materials are removed when you rinse it, there is no need to descale it again. However, if there are remaining mineral scales on the machine, you can descale the machine again.

What buttons do you press to descale a Nespresso machine?

It will depend on the Nespresso machine. For example, the Nespresso VertuoPlus machine only has one button and a lever, and that is what you will use. A Nespresso Pixie machine has two buttons, which you will use while descaling it.

How often does Nespresso need to be cleaned?

A Nespresso should be cleaned regularly. If possible, clean it after every use, especially if it has a steam wand to remove milk residue. However, you should descale the Nespresso machine after every three months.