If Your Keurig Isn't Heating Up, Here's How To Troubleshoot

According to the National Coffee Association's recent report, coffee drinking among adults is up almost 40% over the last 20 years. And for those who make coffee at home, a good chunk of them use single-cup brewers to get their fix. If you happen to be among that population, you know there's nothing quite like a hot cup of Joe in the morning, but if your Keurig isn't heating up, that presents a problem.

Luckily, there are a few ways to troubleshoot this issue, starting with the tried and true method across most electronics — a reboot. The simplest solution could be found by unplugging your machine, waiting about 30 minutes, and replugging it to see if that solves the issue. If not, there might be a problem with the temperature gauge. Keurigs heat their water to 192 degrees Fahrenheit, so if the water isn't heating properly, the issue could be the thermometer. To reset the thermometer, unplug the machine, remove the water reservoir, then plug it back in. Press and hold the brew button until the water stops dripping, put fresh water into the reservoir, turn the Keurig on, and test. Is there still a heating issue? Don't worry, there are a couple more solutions you can try.

Keurig recommends descaling your machine at least once every six months or as frequently as every three months to ensure it can properly heat up your coffee (via Keurig). How often you should clean your Keurig really depends on your water. Hard water that contains more minerals will require more frequent cleaning than soft water. That's because the minerals in the water will cause a build-up in your machine over time, creating a possible barrier between the heating element and the water inside. If your water isn't heating up, that could be the problem.

While some sources suggest using a 1:1 water and vinegar solution, there are other ways to descale your Keurig without using vinegar, too. You could also use a pre-made descaling solution for this task. Check your manual to see if your Keurig has a descale mode and follow those instructions. If not, there's another method to try. First, remove, empty, and wash the water reservoir before returning it to the machine. Then, fill it with whichever solution you choose, taking care to follow the instructions if using a pre-made product. Brew the solution through the machine and into a mug for several cycles to empty the reservoir. Afterward, run a few rounds with fresh water through the Keurig to ensure the cleaning solution doesn't taint your next cup of coffee. Once your descaling task is complete, test the temperature. Did that fix the problem?

Your Keurig is clean as a whistle and descaled, the thermometer is working properly, and resetting didn't do the trick. So, you're still without hot coffee. The problem could be your water pump, which may require contacting Keurig, ordering a replacement part, and putting in a new pump. While you could do this repair yourself by looking up a how-to video, not everyone is comfortable diving this deep into a repair. Plus, it could void your warranty. In that case, Keurig might be able to help you find an authorized repair shop near you to get the job done.

When your machine is up and running, set reminders to keep it clean to reduce the chance of problems in the future. With these solutions at your fingertips, most of your heating problems can be fixed quickly. After you solve your heating problem, celebrate with a freshly brewed coffee and remember to keep your K-cups. You can repurpose coffee pods to create a flourishing garden. Win-win!