How to Finally Get Your Keurig Descale Light to Turn Off

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Get your Keurig back up and running with these simple steps

Co-authored by James Sears and Mason Martinez, BA

Last Updated: July 9, 2024 Fact Checked

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Resetting the Descale Light

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Troubleshooting the Descaling Light

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Contacting Customer Support

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Descaling a Keurig

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Prevention & Maintenance

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Are you ready to brew a fresh coffee, but that stubborn descale light keeps flashing? You're not alone—a persistent descale light is a typical issue Keurig users face. However, the fixes are simple and we're here to show you all the ways to turn off the light so you can get back to brewing. Plus, we've got advice from Professional Cleaner James Sears on descaling and maintaining your Keurig to keep it in tip-top shape.

Getting Your Keurig Out of Descale Mode

If running a rinse cycle doesn't turn off the descale light, disconnect your Keurig for 10 minutes to reset its internal computer. Remove the water tank reservoir and plug the device back in. Wait for the "Add Water" light to flash. With a full reservoir, open and close the K-Cup compartment to complete the reset.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Reset a Keurig After Descaling

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Unplug the Keurig and remove and empty the reservoir. To reset your Keurig, disconnect it from power. Remove the water reservoir by lifting the handle and pulling the tank upright, then empty it out. Leave it unplugged for 10 minutes so the machine can reset its internal computer to the factory setting.^{[1]
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- This method works for many Keurig models, including the 2.0 and 1.0 brewers, K-Cafe, K-Elite, K-Classic, K-Duo, K-Slim, K-Mini, and K-Supreme.
- For the K-Supreme Plus and Plus Smart, press the left and right arrows simultaneously to open the menu. Press the right arrow until you reach the "Factory Reset" option. Press the K button to confirm the reset. Unplug the machine for 10 seconds.^{[2]
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The Keurig needs a chance to detect that the reservoir isn't attached, so give it a few seconds before the "Add Water" light flashes. When it does, fill the tank to the maximum fill line with fresh water and watch the "Add Water" light disappear.^{[3]
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Lift the brewer handle at the top of the machine to open and close the K-Cup compartment. This completes the reset. Now you're ready to brew your next cup!^{[4]
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Section 2 of 5:

Troubleshooting Common Descaling Problems

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Brew more than one cycle to flush all the Keurig's components. Set an empty cup on the drip tray. Hold the 6 or 8-oz buttons for 3 seconds for a simple clean, then press the "Brew" button. Dispose of any dirty water that comes out. While one cycle may seem sufficient, repeat this process until the "Add Water" light flashes. This ensures the machine is thoroughly cleaned and the descale light will disappear.^{[5]
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- Ensure the K-Cup holder is empty before performing this cleaning cycle.
- Use bottled or spring water when using your Keurig to avoid mineral buildup.^{[6]
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Reddit users have experienced success with this method. Unplug your Keurig and wait 10 seconds. Plug it back in and press the 8 and 12-oz buttons together, then wait for the K light to come on. Instead of selecting a cup size, hit the K button. Allow the machine to run a water cycle only, then dump the water. Hit the K button again and repeat until the descale light goes away.
Keurig sells Quick Clean pods, which are recommended for weekly use to keep your machine fresh.^{[7]
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Research source} Reddit users have also found that running a water-only cycle followed by a cycle with a Quick Clean pod turns off the descaling light. Hold the 8 and 12-oz buttons to turn on the descaling mode. With a fresh tank, continue the rinse cycle until the “Add Water” light turns on. Refill the water without opening the pod lid and repeat to turn off your descale light.
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Unclog the entry and exit needles for a successful descale. If your descale light is still on, it may be due to blockages in the needles. The buildup of minerals, coffee grounds, and similar debris can prevent the machine from descaling successfully, leaving that stubborn light on. To remove clogs, unplug the machine. Remove the pod holder, take a paperclip, and slip it into the needle. Wiggle it around to remove any debris, then run a rinse cycle.^{[8]
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- Keurig also sells a brewer needle cleaning tool you can use.
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Remove debris buildup from the reservoir drain to improve descaling. If you can hear your water pump working, but little to no water is coming out of the tank, your water reservoir drain may be clogged. This can also contribute to an ineffective descaling process, leaving the light on. Grab a clean dish towel to clean the opening of the water pump and clear it of any debris.^{[9]
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- Alternatively, some users suggest taking a large syringe or turkey baster to push the water through the tank's drain at the bottom of the reservoir. If debris comes out, continue pushing until the water runs clear.^{[10]
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Section 3 of 5:

When to Contact Keurig Customer Support

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Call 1-866-901-2739 if none of the steps get your Keurig to work. If you've followed the DIY solutions above and the descale light persists, it's time to refer to the professionals. If you have a new brewer, Keurig's one-year warranty plan will likely cover it. Call the number and tell the agent who takes your call what's going on with your machine for further assistance.^{[11]
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- Have the model of your Keurig handy when you call, as well as a general idea of how old it is.
- Pro Tip: If you connect your brewer to the Keurig app through WiFi at least once every 90 days, they'll extend your warranty for an additional 12 months.^{[12]
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Section 4 of 5:

How to Descale a Keurig

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Before you begin, start with an emptied Keurig machine. Remove any used K-Cups from the holder. Flip the handle on the water reservoir to lift it from its holder. Pour any water into the sink, ensuring the reservoir is empty. Slip the water filter off—replace this at the end once descaling is complete.^{[13]
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Fill the water reservoir half-way with distilled white vinegar. Professional Cleaner James Sears recommends using any generic white vinegar to descale your Keurig. The acidity will help break down any scale or mineral buildup in the machine.
- Alternatively, you can purchase Keurig's descaling solution.
After pouring the white vinegar into the reservoir, Sears recommends topping it off with filtered or bottled water until you reach the maximum fill line. This will help dilute the vinegar, making it safer for the internal components.
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Brew a cup of hot water using the 10 fl oz (300 mL) brew size. Slip a ceramic mug beneath the spout on the drip tray. Opt for a large cup that can hold 12 fl oz (350 mL) to avoid overflow. Sears advises performing a cleansing brew by pressing the 10 fl oz (300 mL) brew cup size and watching the vinegar flow through the machine. It'll look a little dirty since it's dissolving any limescale buildup.
- Once the cup is full, pour the mug's contents into the sink.
Sears says to repeat the step above to descale your Keurig thoroughly. This ensures every component is properly flushed out and clean for your next use. Most Keurig brewers have an "Add Water" light that flashes when it's time to add more.
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Allow the brewer to sit for 30 minutes with the power on. Once the reservoir is almost empty and the machine says to add more water, stop the brew cycle and let the Keurig sit. This will allow the vinegar to work inside the machine.
- If your Keurig has an "Auto Off" feature, press "Menu" twice to access the Auto Off settings, then press the left button to cycle through the number of hours until it displays "Off."
Sears says, "After you have depleted the vinegar from the reservoir, fill [it] with water and run several cycles with just water to rinse the acidic vinegar out of the system and prevent corrosion." Run at least 12 cleansing brews before your descaling is complete.

Section 5 of 5:

Maintaining Your Keurig Coffee Maker

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To keep your coffee machine in tip-top shape, descaling your coffee machine every 3 to 6 months or when the "Descale" light turns on. "[It] also depends on your location and how hard your water is," Sears explains. "Tap water has minerals such as calcium, which lead to the buildup of calcified minerals in your machine and water reservoir. The harder your water, the more often you should descale. A trick to avoid this cleaning time would be to [use] distilled or bottled water with a low mineral content for your coffee."
A water filter ensures your water is always fresh. To maintain high-quality taste, replace your water filter by removing the old filter from the filter holder. Soak the new filter in water for 5 minutes, then rinse it under the sink for 60 seconds. Click it into the filter holder, and viola! You're ready to brew.^{[14]
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