Nespresso troubleshooting

This is the definitive Nespresso maker troubleshooting guide. This article represents your first step towards understanding and solving the most common faults you may encounter with your machine. I’ll cover everything from the most common problems to maintenance and basic repair tips.

If any problems you see require more detailed information, I’ll guide you to other articles I’ve prepared that address the problem in depth. Whether Krups, Delonghi, or Magimix manufactured your Nespresso, here you’ll find the answers you’re looking for. Additionally, you can download the Nespresso user manual for your coffee machine here.

The Nespresso won’t turn on (Nothing works)

If your Nespresso coffee machine does not work (no sound or lights), the solution is usually simple and is usually due to:

1. Problems with the electrical circuit: often caused by a blown thermal fuse next to the thermoblock. Replacing a blown fuse may not be the definitive solution, as it may be necessary to replace the entire thermoblock if it blows again after replacement.
2. Damage to the control board: This board regulates electricity, ensures safety, and stores important data for your Nespresso. If you rule out the previous problem, you should replace it with a new one. This replacement is straightforward but can cost between $30 and $60.

For both causes, the most complicated part is disassembling the machine. However, these common problems can be easily solved with patience and careful handling. If you want to know more, I have created another article that goes deeper into the problem of Nespresso coffee machines that do not work.

My Nespresso flashes and doesn’t brew

Is your Nespresso flashing the espresso and lungo buttons and not responding? This is a common scenario for many Nespresso users, whether made by Krups, Delonghi, or Magimix. This behavior does not indicate a failure but is a sign that the coffee machine needs descaling.

To fix the flashing, perform a descaling. If the flashing does not stop after descaling, it may be that the Nespresso has not correctly registered the process in its internal memory. In that case, simultaneously hold the espresso and lungo buttons for 5 seconds. This should turn off the lights.

But remember that if both buttons are flashing continuously, your machine is in ‘descaling mode,’ and the lights will not turn off until you complete the descaling process and it is registered in the memory of your Nespresso.

The Nespresso machine dispenses a small amount of coffee

If your Nespresso machine brews progressively smaller (and possibly colder) coffee, the issue could be due to scale buildup in the boiler, debris in the nozzle, or incorrect settings. However, before defining the problem, you should measure the coffee output from your machine and compare it to the quantities listed in the tables below:

Tables with normal values for Nespresso Classic:

Tables with normal values for Nespresso Vertuo:

➡️ If you have determined that your Nespresso is indeed serving less coffee, proceed with the following steps:

Step 1. Factory reset

A) For Nespresso OriginalLine:

1. Disconnect the Nespresso.
2. Hold down the lungo button.
3. Connect the Nespresso.
4. Release the lungo button.

B) For Nespresso Vertuo Next:

1. Connect the coffee maker.
2. Open the head to eject any coffee pod inside.
3. Close the head without a coffee pod and without locking it.
4. Press the preparation button 5 times in less than 3 seconds.
5. The light will turn orange and flash 5 times before changing to a steady white.

C) For Nespresso Vertuo Plus:

1. Turn off the machine by pressing the lever down for 3 seconds.
2. To enter factory settings mode, press the button and the lever down simultaneously for 3 seconds. A steady ORANGE light indicates you’ve entered the Special Functions menu.
3. Select the function by pressing the lever down 3 times for “Reset to factory settings.”
4. Press the button to confirm. The ORANGE light will flash 3 times in 3 seconds to confirm that the reset is complete, and then it will change to a steady GREEN light.

Once the coffee maker is reset, you can reconfigure the drink size to your liking by holding down the preparation button until the coffee volume in the cup is as desired. Remember that with the Vertuo line, this configuration varies according to the type of coffee pod you insert.

Step 2. Perform a descaling

If your Nespresso maker has started to serve a different amount of coffee unexpectedly, a reset is unlikely to be the right solution. It’s more likely that the machine requires descaling. Scale buildup in the water circuit or the resistance can affect the water flow to the coffee.

➡️ Check out this article on how to descale a Nespresso machine.

Step 3. Thoroughly clean the nozzle of the coffee maker

One of the points where Nespresso makers accumulate more dirt is right behind the nozzle, a hard-to-reach place but very prone to the accumulation of coffee residues.

Clean the nozzle and the perforating disc as the third option to recover the amount of coffee prepared by your Nespresso.

➡️ In this article, we have delved deep into the issue of when your Nespresso serves coffee that is too short, and in these others, we discuss the lights:

• The lights on the Nespresso Classic are flashing.
• The lights on the Nespresso Vertuo are flashing.

Nespresso machine doesn’t make coffee or have low-pressure

If your coffee maker begins to lose pressure when making coffee, it’s likely due to excessive scale buildup. This calcification obstructs the internal ducts, affecting the normal water flow and coffee output. Performing one or more descaling processes can solve this problem.

On the other hand, if your Nespresso maker lacks pressure, i.e., no water comes out, descaling is impossible. In this case, it would be necessary to disassemble the coffee maker to inspect the pump and other internal components involved in the hydraulic circuit.

➡️ For more information, please refer to these two articles:

If the problem is in the pump, note the characteristics of the pump and look for a replacement on the internet:

Nespresso maker leaks water

Dripping in Nespresso machines is a classic problem. If your Nespresso drips from the back of the nozzle when making coffee (or just afterward), it’s probably due to a residue buildup behind it. Keep in mind that it’s not your fault, as cleaning this area requires disassembling part of the head, something that is not usually done during normal maintenance.

In the following video, we show how a Nespresso Citiz was losing a lot of water through the brewing unit and how the machine performs as if it were new after disassembling and cleaning it. If your Nespresso remains the same after cleaning, I’m afraid you will have to perform a more thorough cleaning by disassembling even more parts or replacing the entire brew unit.

In some cases, it has been observed that the problem lies in the plastic nozzle that covers the machine’s spouts. In models like the Nespresso U, this nozzle may crack (or some plastic part breaks), leading to a lack of sealing and the consequent dripping.

In more extreme cases, some internal O-rings or piercing blades get damaged and cause dripping. In these cases, it’s best to disassemble the machine and replace the damaged component completely.

➡️ Check out this other article where we go in-depth about the issue of water leakage in Nespresso machines.

Coffee pods stuck in the Nespresso machine

It’s more common than you think to find people who have coffee pods stuck in Nespresso machines. Fortunately, the reasons for this happening are easy to solve and prevent in the future. In my experience with Nespresso machines, coffee pods get stuck for these reasons:

• The coffee pod container is full. Yes, even though it may seem obvious if the container that automatically collects the coffee pods is overflowing, no other coffee pod will fall in. To solve this problem and prevent it in the future, empty this container often.
• Some compatible coffee pods get stuck. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed significant growth in the market for compatible coffee pods with Nespresso. However, the quality of some of these leaves much to be desired. Coffee pods made of plastic especially tend to get stuck in older Nespresso machines.
• The piercing disc is too dirty. If the disc against which your Nespresso machine presses the coffee pod is very dirty with coffee residues, the coffee pods will stick to it because dried coffee is very sticky. Use an old toothbrush to clean this area thoroughly from time to time.
• You’re not inserting the coffee pods properly. If you drop a coffee pod to be pierced slightly tilted, the machine can crush it, and it will get stuck.

The Nespresso machine doesn’t pierce the coffee pods

Closely related to the previous section, we encountered a situation where our Nespresso coffee machine failed to puncture the coffee pods. Just as I did before, I will present a list of the most common causes I have observed:

• The bottom piercing blades have bent. This is a case that often occurs when using refillable steel coffee pods that are incompatible with the coffee machine we are using. It’s a very extreme case that requires replacing the entire rail.

• The used coffee pods are not compatible. Just as it happened before, coffee pods are sold as “compatible” but not so. Sometimes, they are too short or hard for the coffee machine to puncture from behind. There can also be a lack of front puncture for the same reason.

• You are inserting the coffee pods incorrectly. I know it’s difficult to insert a coffee pod incorrectly into a Nespresso machine, but if it’s inserted crooked, the result will be a flattened coffee pod instead of a punctured one.

Nespresso machine makes cold coffee

If you notice that your Nespresso coffees are progressively coming out colder, it is likely due to the accumulation of sediments and limescale, especially common in the heating element and internal water circuit tubes. This is more evident when the first coffee prepared is colder than the subsequent ones.

✅ The solution to this problem is quite straightforward: descaling and thoroughly cleaning your Nespresso coffee machine. For this, you can use a specific descaling kit for Nespresso.

If your coffees start coming out completely cold for no apparent reason, and you have performed regular descaling as required by the machine, it’s likely that the issue lies with the thermoblock. If this component is damaged and not easily repairable, I would recommend replacing it. You can find a replacement thermoblock on sites like eBay.

➡️ Here’s an article that delves deeper into this issue: Why Doesn’t my Nespresso heat the coffee?

Nespresso machine makes excessive noise

If you’ve recently acquired a Nespresso machine, it’s important to remember that “high noise levels” do not indicate a defect but are a common feature in these coffee pod machines. Therefore, it’s something common not only in Nespresso machines but in all brands, which typically emit around 60 decibels of noise on average.

To illustrate this, I’ve measured the noise in 7 different Nespresso models. What’s interesting about my results is that the decibel levels are quite consistent across all models, with the only exception being the Pixie, which can reach a peak of over 80dB:

📖 How to determine if your Nespresso is louder than it should be:

1. Download a noise measurement app:
   • Open the app store on your smartphone (such as Google Play Store or Apple App Store).
   • Search for a free noise measurement app.
   • Select one with good reviews and download it.
2. Prepare for measurement:
   • Once the app is installed, open it on your smartphone.
   • Ensure that your phone’s microphone is not obstructed.
3. Position your phone:
   • Place your smartphone at a distance of approximately 50 cm from your Nespresso coffee machine.
4. Start the measurement:
   • Turn on your Nespresso coffee machine and begin making coffee.
   • While the coffee machine is running, start the noise measurement with the app.
5. Compare the results:
   • Once the coffee preparation is complete, review the recorded noise values in the app.
   • Compare these values with those specified in the table above to check if they fall within a normal range.

➡️ If your Nespresso machine emits significantly louder noise than the values I provided, this could indicate wear and tear on some internal components. To help you better understand this situation and provide solutions to address it, I’ve prepared a detailed article on dealing with noisy Nespresso machines.

For Vertuo line machines, a damaged bearing is usually the cause of excessive noise, especially when it spins at high speeds. In the following video, I’ll show you how to easily replace this part. The bearing you need is the model 6901H2RS.

Useful information on Nespresso coffee makers breakdowns

If you have just bought your Nespresso coffee machine; less than 30 days ago you bought it, contact the seller immediately, as they should proceed to return the coffee machine.

Nespresso coffee makers have a 2-year warranty on all models, so if your coffee maker is not yet 2 years old and you keep the purchase receipt, you can contact Nespresso through the links below.