Keurig machines are the perfect way to make a quick cup of coffee each morning. But dealing with an ADD WATER light that stays ON or not coming on even when you have filled the water tank to the MAX mark is a real hassle. If you’re in this unfortunate situation and don’t know what to do, don’t panic!
Thankfully, there are a few simple steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the issue.
In this tutorial, I’ll discuss the potential causes of why your Keurig add water light keeps flashing or doesn’t come on and how to fix it.
Causes Of Keurig’s ADD WATER Light Stay ON or Not Working
The ADD WATER light is just one component of Keurig’s tank-level detection system. This system uses a combination of electronic sensors that detect water levels tank so that it knows when more water is needed. Over time, these sensors can become dirty or faulty. When this happens, the ADD WATER light will stay on even though there is plenty of water in the tank. This problem can be fixed by replacing the sensor completely. But before you do that, you should check below a few possible causes, including:
- Calcium buildup in the reservoir valve
- Possible air stuck in the tube
- The reservoir is empty or not properly filled
- The water filter is clogged
These are some possible causes of the ADD WATER light being on. You will notice that some are common sense, or you can fix yourself.
How To Fix Keurig’s ADD WATER Light Problems
Are you constantly battling the dreaded ‘ADD WATER’ light on your Keurig? Don’t throw in the towel just yet! We’ll walk you through the common causes of the ADD WATER light problem and show you how to fix it easily.
Set Water Tank
Sometimes, the water tank may not be properly aligned, and this can cause the ADD WATER light to stay on. This can be easily fixed by simply setting the water tank properly before brewing. Here’s how to do it:
- Make sure the machine is unplugged and the water reservoir is empty.
- Remove and clean the water tank thoroughly with mild soap.
- Reinsert the water tank back into the machine, making sure it is securely in place.
- Fill the water tank with fresh water to the appropriate level.
- Plug the machine back in and power it on.
If the light does not go off after this, move to the next step.
Clean The Reservoir Valve
The water tank valve controls the flow of water into the brewer. If the valve is clogged or dirty, it can prevent water from flowing properly, causing the ADD WATER light to come on or not work. To clean the reservoir valve, follow these steps:
- Remove the water reservoir from the machine.
- Locate the valve at the bottom of the reservoir. It is a small plastic piece that water flows through.
- Using a toothpick or paperclip, gently clean around the valve to remove any debris or buildup that may prevent it from functioning properly.
- Reinstall the reservoir back into the machine.
- Run a water-only brew cycle to flush any remaining debris from the machine.
Run Descale Cycle
If you find mineral deposits on the reservoir’s valve, these minerals may also build up inside your brewer. As a result, your brewer may be unable to work properly or cause the ADD WATER to come on. To remove this buildup, you can run a descaling cycle. Follow the instructions on the descaling solution or your Keurig model user manual.
I recommend you should descale it every 3 to 6 months. If you use Hard Water (high mineral water), you should descale it more frequently.
Keurig has manufactured its descaling solution that works with all Keurig models. If you have not descaled for more than 6 months or have very hard water, you need to descale twice.
Issue With Water Filter
A dirty or clogged water filter can prevent water from flowing properly, causing the ADD WATER light to flash. First, you should detect the problem. Remove the filter, and turn on the machine. If the light goes off means there is a problem with the filter, you need to replace the water filter.
Reset The Brewer
This problem also may come on if the machine is not functioning properly due to an error with the software or settings. One solution to this problem is to reset the brewer. Here’s how to do it:
- Begin by unplugging the Keurig from the power outlet.
- Eject the water reservoir and plugin back.
- Press the start button to turn on the machine.
- Now reattach the water reservoir into the brewer.
- Finally, open and shut the brewer lid. You’re Done!
Clear Possible Air Lock
An air lock in the water lines can also prevent Keurig from detecting water. This can happen when the machine has not been used for a while or if you brew with not enough water.
Here’s how to clear it:
- Unplug the machine and fill the half-water reservoir.
- Hold the Keurig machine with both hands and gently shake it up and down for about 15-20 seconds. This will help to dislodge any air bubbles that may be present in the water lines.
- Keep shaking until the air bubbles stop appearing at the valve at the base of the reservoir.
- Then, run a water-only brew cycle to flush any remaining debris from the machine.
- Plug the machine back in and power it on.
- Run a water-only brew cycle to flush any remaining debris from the machine.
Replace The Sensor
If you have tried all the other troubleshooting steps and the light is still on, it may be time to check advanced issues. One of the most common problems is a malfunctioning water level sensor. The sensor is responsible for detecting the amount of water in the reservoir and signaling the machine when more water is needed. If the sensor is not working properly, it can cause the ADD WATER light to come on even when there is enough water in the reservoir.
To fix this problem, you will need to disassemble the machine and locate the sensor. Once you have found the sensor, you can unplug it from the circuit board and replace it with a new one. But this also voids Keurig’s warranty. So I recommend you contact Keurig’s customer service for further assistance.
