Keurig Won’t Power On After Descaling: [Reasons & Solution]

Regularly descaling a Keurig machine keeps it in good condition for a long time. But is your Keurig not turning on after descaling? Do not worry; the machine is good, and you can easily solve the issue. The question is, why Keurig won’t power on after descaling?

The thermal switch often trips when the water runs out when descaling the Keurig coffee machine. As a result, the in-line heater will not receive any power, and the Keurig won’t turn on after cleaning. The only solution is to reset the thermal switch.

You may have been asking yourself, what do I do if my Keurig won’t turn on? Stay calm, as there are easy DIY solutions. Today, we will discuss why the Keurig coffee maker will not turn on after descaling, and how to fix it.

What is Descaling?

Descaling is the process of removing mineral build-ups from a coffee machine. It is another word for cleaning calcium, magnesium, and other minerals from the machine and clearing blockages.

Mineral build-ups create clogs in pipes and interrupt the water flow. It forces the water pumps to work harder, which in turn can damage the machine. That is why it is essential to descale coffee machines occasionally.

A Guide to Different Keurig Coffee Brewing Machines Troubleshoot (Problems and Solutions) 

Here is a list of problems you may experience while operating this machine. 

• Keurig won’t power on after descaling
• Keurig not turning on after descaling
• Keurig not brewing after descaling
• Keurig descale light not turning off
• Keurig descale button not working

Below, I will talk about the individual problems of Keurig coffee brewing machines and their possible solutions. 

Keurig Won’t Power On After Descaling

You can continue to get delicious coffee from the Keurig after descaling it. But if it does not power on, there might be something wrong. Let’s have a look at the possible reason behind that and possible solutions.

The Golden Reasons Behind the Scenery:

Problem: Tripped Thermal Switch 

A tripped thermal switch is one of the most common reasons why your Keurig is not powering on after descaling. It is most common in new K-Supreme models.

Solution: Step-By-Step

Disassembling your Keurig and resetting the thermal switch will solve the problem. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reset the Keurig thermal switch when Keurig has no power after descaling:

Step 1: Disassemble

First, unplug the Keurig and remove the water reservoir. Then use a screwdriver to remove the pins from the base. There are mainly six pins in most Keurig coffee machines.

After removing the pins, you can take out the side cover. You may also need to remove the lid a few times if you face difficulty removing the cover.

Step 2: Reset the thermal switch

Now, look for a small white or gray cap with a tiny hole in the middle. The cap will also have two wires connected to it from two sides.

Push a thin pin, needle, or toothpick through the hole. When you push it enough, it will reset the thermal switch.

It is important to note that you will not hear any clicking while pushing. Just push it and follow the next step to ensure it’s working.

Step 3: Test and reassemble

Lastly, plug in your Keurig and check whether the power is on. If yes, then attach the cover and fasten the pins.

But if it still does not work, then something else might be wrong with the machine. It is best to take your coffee machine to a nearby Keurig Service Center or to the Keurig Store from where you bought it.

Keurig Not Turning On After Descaling

If your Keurig is not working after descaling, you may wonder and ask, why is my Keurig not turning on? Let’s have a look at the possible reasons and solutions.

Reasons for Not Working After Descaling:

• Water reservoir: If you did not place the water reservoir properly after descaling, then the Keurig may not turn on.
• Overheating: Another reason why your Keurig may not turn after descaling is overheating. The machine often gets overheated during the process and may not turn on later.

Solution: Easy 2 Steps

Here’s a quick guide on how to fix the Keurig won’t turn on after descaling:

Step 1: Reinstall the water reservoir

First, take out the water reservoir and set it again. Try this a few times, and the Keurig coffee machine should turn on.

Step 2: Let the machine be cool

If the first step does not work, then maybe the machine is overheated. Let it cool for one to two hours, and try to turn it on again.

Keurig Not Brewing After Descaling

Sometimes, your Keurig will turn on after descaling but may not brew a full cup of coffee or no coffee at all. There can be various reasons behind it. Let’s discuss why Keurig won’t brew light on and their solutions.

Reasons For Brewing After Descaling:

• A dirty Needle: It might sound strange, but debris from the k-cup can get into the needle. A dirty needle can disturb the flow and may cause coffee not to brew.
• Clogged reservoir tube: Descaling usually cleans the reservoir tube, but some buildup can still be inside. It can clog the tube, and the machine can have difficulty brewing.
• Stuck air: Sometimes, extra air can get stuck into the machines, which can interrupt the brewing process.

Solution: Easy 3 Steps

Here are the instructions on how to fix the Keurig not brewing after descaling:

Step 1: Clean the needle

Take a paper clip and insert it into the needle. Then jiggle it a little bit to clear any mineral buildup, and then try to brew coffee.

Step 2: Clear the reservoir tube

If that does not solve the problem, try clearing the reservoir tube. Put some water in and out of the pipe and also blow air through it to ensure nothing is blocking the pipe. 

Step 3: Release the stuck air

Lastly, remove the water reservoir and other removable parts and give the machine a few gentle shakes. It should release the air, and you can have a full cup of coffee from your Keurig.

Keurig Descale Light Not Turning Off

It can be annoying when the descale light stays on even after cleaning the machine. Here is the reason why it may happen and what you can do to fix it.

Reasons For The Descaling Light Not Turning Off:

• Not Cleaned Properly: All Keurigs require a full descaling every few months. If you haven’t descaled properly and the coffee machine is still unclean, then the descale light won’t turn off.

Solution:

To ensure the descale light turns off, follow the descaling process properly. Doing it only once may not turn off the light. Repeat the process a few times until the descale light turns off in the Keurig.

Keurig Descale Button Not Working

Depending on which Keurig you have, you will need to use the Brew, OZ, or POD button to descale. If the button does not work, here is one possible reason.

Reasons:

• Damaged or broken button: Usually, a broken or damaged button will cause the descaling button to not work. If it happened, you might not also be able to brew coffee. 

Solution:

Replacing the buttons will solve the issue. Unluckily, Keurig does not sell the button separately. Hence, you need to go to the Keurig store or contact their support for a replacement.

How Do I Reset My Keurig After Descaling?

• After you descale the Keurig, you need to reset it to turn off the light. 
• Press the 8oz and 10oz buttons together and hold them down for 3 seconds. 
• Then release them, and it will reset Keurig, making the light turn off.

How Often To Descale a Keurig Machine?

Depending on how frequently you brew coffee, you may need to descale a Keurig machine every 3 to 6 months. When there is excess mineral buildup, the descale light will start flashing, and you should clean it right away.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Conclusion

If your Keurig won’t power on after descaling, try out the solution discussed above. Most of the time, it is the tripped thermal switch, and resetting it should fix the problem. But if all the solutions fail, contact Keurig Support for a fix.