Like many of you, I cannot start my morning without having a perfectly brewed cup of coffee from Keurig. It’s been two years that I have been using Keurig brewer, and I simply cannot get enough of it.
But at times, my Keurig would abruptly shut off, leaving me no clue what happened. And I guess you are going through the same issue.
If your Keurig keeps shutting off, it might be due to the unpunctured K-pods, clogged needles, an unaligned magnet, or a general technical issue. Descaling and proper maintenance can prevent the brewer from shutting off and can preserve its longevity.
Without further ado, let’s dig into the top possible reasons why Kuerig keeps shutting off. Along with the potential causes, I have also mentioned some of the best tips to resolve this issue.
What Causes the Keurig Brewer to Shut Off?
There can be multiple causes why your Keurig keeps shutting off. Let’s scrutinize them one by one.
1. Clogged or Broken Needles
Keurig brewers consist of two needles, namely, entry and exit. The entry needle transports K-cup contents to the water reservoir. On the other hand, the exit needle pours coffee into the cup.
The two needles collectively perform a crucial role in the brewer’s functioning. If either of them gets clogged, the coffee maker won’t be able to perform correctly.
The clogged needles will restrict the water flow and won’t be able to pierce through K-Cups. Subsequently, due to heavy obstruction, the Keurig brewer will shut off automatically.
However, sometimes the issue may worsen as the needle breaks. Clogged noodles imply temporary blockage, but broken needles indicate permanent damage.
Also Read: Keurig Descaling Light Won’t Turn Off After Descaling (How To Fix It?)
Solution: Clean or Replace Needles
Clogged needles adversely affect the brewer’s performance. Your Keurig brewer will keep switching off due to these plugged needles.
Thus, it is very crucial to solve this problem timely. To unclog the needles, you must clean them internally. You can use the needle kit that comes with the brewer to clean the needles.
You can refer to the below video to learn how to use the Keurig needle kit;
But you can use a DIY paper clip method if you don’t have the kit. To use paper clips for cleaning needles, comply with the following method;
- Unplug and switch off the brewer.
- Next, remove the water reservoir from the machine.
- Now take a paper clip and uncoil it so that it straightens out.
- Remove the K-cup from the brewer by gently pulling it away from the machine.
- Hold onto the side buttons so that the holder separates from the housing.
- Uncover the entry/exit needle by pushing the lever and the holder.
- Insert the uncoiled end of the paper clip into the needle from its orifice.
- Move the clip slowly to remove scale particles and unclog the needle.
- You will also need to run the paper clip through the needle case.
- Finally, rinse the pod holder and let it dry.
But if the needle breaks, the only viable solution is to replace it. You can find a compatible needle for your brewer’s model on Keurig’s website.
Amazon also has a variety of needle cases that work perfectly with Keurig brewers. These needles are very easy to install.
Keurig’s user manual also has guidelines on how to change the entry/exit needle.
Also Read: Why Is Keurig Making Noise? 5 Reasons And How To Fix?
2. Unpunctured K-Cup Bottoms
This problem is associated with K-Cups, not the brewer. K-Cups are coffee pods that you place in the brewer’s basket.
When placed in the basket, the entry needle punctures the cup from the top. However, not many people know that the K-Cup also gets pierced on its bottom side.
Often due to technical issues, the bottom side of the cup fails to get punctured. As a result, the water entering the K-Cup via the entry needle cannot escape the K-cup.
It eventually leads to water obstruction in the pod. In such a situation, the brewer shuts off to prevent an overflow in the system.
Thus, if your Keurig keeps shutting off, the first thing you should do is check the K-Cup’s bottom. If it is not punctured or partially pierced, the root cause will be confirmed.
Solution: Manually Puncture K-Cups or Replace the Needle
K-Cup might have a rigid bottom, so the needle might not be able to puncture it. You can push the K-Cup onto the needle to manually puncture it.
However, in some cases, your needle might not be sharp enough. In that case, you must replace the needle.
Otherwise, you will have to pierce the needle every time manually. If you opt for this DIY method for a prolonged period, you may even end up breaking the needle.
3. Scale-Buildup in the Brewer
Over time, minerals in the water may accumulate in the brewer, leading to limescale build-up.
If left untreated, scaling may obstruct water flow in the reservoir. Thus, if water won’t be able to reach the needles smoothly, the system will shut down.
Solution: Run a Descaling Cycle
Issues related to scaling usually arise when the brewer is maintained poorly. You must run a descaling cycle on your brewer every one to three months, depending upon its usage.
You can descale the brewer by using the Keurig descaling solution. You will receive its sample along with the brewer. Once it runs out, you can re-purchase it from Amazon or Keurig’s website.
But if Keurig descaling solutions are too expensive, you can try a few DIY tricks. Keurig’s descaling solutions primarily comprise citric acid in their composition.
Therefore, you can replace this solution with lemon juice, white vinegar, or even citric acid. But before using these alternatives, you must dilute them.
White vinegar needs 50/50 dilution. But lemon juice and citric acid are
stronger. That is why it is recommended to dilute them in a 25/75 ratio.
4. Misaligned Water Magnet
Keurig’s water reservoir uses a magnet in its tank to detect its water level. Sometimes, due to excessive use, this magnet may get displaced.
The magnet usually gets misaligned due to the constant vibrations from the brewer. And when it happens, the magnet won’t be to check the reservoir’s water level.
The water reservoir has a crucial role in the brewer’s performance. Any disturbance in its functioning affects the whole brewer’s performance.
Therefore, when the brewer cannot detect the water level in the reservoir, it gradually shuts off.
No matter how often you try switching it on again, the brewer will keep shutting down if the magnet is not positioned correctly.
Solution: Re-Position the Magnet
The solution to this problem is quite simple and easy. All you must do is re-position the magnet in the reservoir. You can do so by gently shaking the water tank.
But if this method fails, you need to empty the tank, clean it, and manually re-position the magnet. Once done, refill the tank with water and switch on the brewer to check if the problem is solved.
5. Switch-Off Timer
Some Keurig models have an automatic switch-off timer. This timer powers off the brewer after a certain period.
People new to Keurig Brewers are unfamiliar with this feature. That is why, when this timer turns off the brewer, they panic, thinking it has happened due to a technical issue.
Solution: Turn Off the Auto-Timer
Sometimes, the auto power-off timer might remain on during the factory settings.
Therefore, it might go off even though you have not put on the timer. The easiest and the only solution to this problem is to switch off the auto timer.
The process to switch off the timer on Keurig brewers varies from model to model. You can refer to the user manual to learn how to switch off the auto-timer.
6. K-Supreme Lid too Tight
This issue is specifically associated with the K-Supreme brewer range. These coffee makers have a very tight lid that causes vacuum formation.
The vacuum restricts the water from exiting the carafe. As a result, the next brew cycle will not complete, causing the coffee maker to shut down.
Also Read: 5 Reasons Keurig K-Duo Carafe Side Not Working – Fixed
Solution:
If your K-Supreme’s lid is too tight, running the brewing cycle without putting it on is better. You can also loosen it slightly to avoid vacuum formation in the brewer.
7. Technical Glitch
Technical glitches may sometimes cause the Keurig brewer to switch off. These glitches are pretty common in older models or the ones with improper maintenance.
Solution: Factory Reset
If you have tried all the other methods and still cannot solve this issue, try resetting the brewer’s internal computer.
Factory reset will re-adjust the brewer’s features to the original state. If there is a problem with the computer, it will be resolved after the reset.
Also Read: Keurig All Lights On and Not Working (How To Fix It?)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is my Keurig blinking and shutting off?
If your Keurig is blinking red light and keeps shutting off afterward, it is a sign that the water reservoir requires draining.
Detach the reservoir from the brewer and drain the remaining water. Place it back once the reservoir has dried. Now check whether the problem has been solved.
2. How do I know if my Keurig is dying?
Initially, when the brewer starts wearing out, it will take longer to brew coffee than usual. But when your Keurig stops brewing coffee despite showing signs of operation, it means the brewer has reached the end of its lifespan.
3. How do I troubleshoot my Keurig?
You can troubleshoot your Keurig brewer by changing the reservoir’s water, running descaling sessions, cleaning the needles, and ensuring the water magnet is properly aligned.
Author’s Takeaway
I have mentioned all the possible factors that can make your brewer shut down abruptly. But if still, your Keurig keeps shutting off; you must contact Keurig’s help center.
They will guide you regarding your brewer’s model or send professional help. Older Keurig models are more prone to shutting down problems than the latest ones.
Most of the time, the brewer keeps shutting off because users don’t know much about the machine’s features.
Therefore, I recommend thoroughly studying your brewer before contacting a third person.
