Keurig Leaking from Bottom – Solved

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Keurig coffee machines are well-known for making delicious coffee every day. But it doesn’t imply that Keurig is trouble-free. 

Sometimes, you might find your Keurig leaking water from the bottom or cup holder, especially if it has been handled roughly. The main reasons are often an issue with the reservoir, O-rings, or valve seal.

Here, I will elaborate on why your Keurig leaks water from the bottom and share some troubleshooting tips to fix it. 

The First Step to Fix Your Keurig Leaking from Bottom: Clean and Descale

Unless there is nothing serious with the electrical or internal components, proper cleaning will fix the issue of Keurig water leaking from bottom.

The water you use for brewing coffee has minerals in it. These minerals are the reason why limescale accumulates inside your Keurig machine. If this limescale remains untreated, it can end up blocking the water flow in your Keurig, causing it to leak.

Also, when your Keurig gets clogged, it can make your coffee taste bad and even cause the water pump to stop working.

That is so; I recommend descaling your Keurig every 2 to 3 months. This will prevent Keurig leaks when brewing and solve other issues as well.

Next, here is a simple guide on how to clean and descale your Keurig coffee machine. 

• Take out the drip tray, water reservoir, and capsule holder.
• Rinse and clean your Keurig’s detachable parts with warm, soapy water.
• Fill the tank with vinegar solution and run a descaling cycle. Descaling will eliminate all the minerals.
• Afterward, run 1 to 2 rinsing cycles using warm water only. If you skip it, your coffee will end up tasting like vinegar.

Why is My Keurig Leaking Water from the Bottom?

There are three main reasons behind water leaking from Keurig. In this section, I will discuss these reasons in detail:

Cracked Water Reservoir

Cause: The water reservoir of your Keurig may incur cracks if you wash it carelessly or drop it on the floor, ultimately leading to Keurig leaking from bottom when brewing.

Solution: First, check for any visible crack in the water reservoir. If you don’t see any, fill the water reservoir with water and place it on a piece of cloth. 

Check on the cloth in about 15 to 20 minutes. If the cloth is dry, it means your water reservoir is fine. But if the cloth is wet, it could mean there are tiny holes or hairline cracks in the water tank that you can’t see.

If there are minor cracks in the reservoir, you can fix them by using hot glue or soldering. But if the cracks are big, consider getting a new reservoir. 

Defective O-Ring

Cause: Sometimes, the O-rings that connect the valves and pump can wear out or go missing, eventually causing leakage.

Solution: Check if the O-ring is still in its original position. Since the machine vibrates while brewing, there is a chance it could get misplaced. You could try moving the O-ring around a bit.

If adjusting the O-ring doesn’t fix the leakage, you might need to replace the O-ring. You can simply order it using this link. But you should know about your Keurig brewer model because the O-rings are different for each model.

Worn-out Valve Seal

Cause: There is a valve at the bottom of the water reservoir that connects to the pump. This valve has a seal that can wear over time because of the water pressure.

Solution: You can restore your seal with vinegar solution and Silicon grease. First, vinegar solution to wipe down the seal and the connector base with vinegar solution. Then, put some grease on the water reservoir’s feed.

Afterward, fill your water reservoir and check if the leakage at the bottom of your Keurig has stopped.

For troubleshooting of Black and Decker coffee maker not working, read this article.

Keurig Leaking Water from Top or Cup Holder

Your Keurig coffee might also leak from the top or pod holder. Here are a few possible reasons for it:

Overfilled Water Reservoir

Cause: If you fill your Keurig with too much water, chances are it will start leaking. This issue is pretty common with the Keurig K-Mini which is amongst the favourite simple coffee machine. Its water tank is non-detachable, which makes it hard to figure out how much water you’ve got in there.

Solution: Exercise caution when filling the water reservoir. The water expands when heated, which can eventually cause leaks. Also, check if the water tank is properly aligned with the coffee maker.

Clogged Needles

Cause: Another reason your Keurig might be leaking is needle clogging. It happens due to stuck coffee grounds on the needles. They block the path of water, leading to leakage from the cup holder of your Keurig machine.

Solution: Clean both the upper and lower needles to prevent these leaks. Here are the steps to clean the exit needle, which is present at the bottom of the pod holder.

• Open the lid of the machine and take out the pod holder.
• Next, take off the funnel present at the pod holder’s bottom.
• Utilize a paper clip or sewing needle to gently maneuver it within the tube to remove debris.
• Then, wash the pod holder and funnel with warm, soapy water.

To clean the needles present under the machine’s head, follow these instructions:

• Switch off the Keurig machine.
• You will find the upper needles beneath the head of your Keurig machine.
• Grab a paper clip or sewing needle and carefully insert it into the holes of the needle.
• Move the clip around to remove debris.

Loose or Broken Upper Gasket

Cause: Another reason the Keurig machine may leak from the top is a broken or loose gasket. The gasket is a silicone part that securely holds the K-cup and water hose of the Keurig coffee machine.

The seal on the puncture needle of your Keurig coffee machine can sometimes break. This can lead to a dislocated gasket seal, resulting in leakage issues. Don’t worry, if the gasket needs replacement, simply order here.

But first, try to mend the existing one as under.

Solution: Correctly align the gasket by closing any gap between the K-cup and the puncture needle. Here are some easy steps to follow when repairing the upper gasket.

• Open the machine’s head.
• The gasket will be around the entrance needles.
• Inspect the gasket to determine if it is bent or broken.
• Pull on the edges to remove it.
• If it is broken, get a new one to replace it.

Defective Pod Holder

Cause: If you notice any bends on the pod holder or if the machine’s lid doesn’t close properly, there lies a problem with the pod holder. 

It often occurs with older Keurig machines that have been used for 4 to 5 years. The pod holder can get damaged by heat or third-party capsules, leading to leakage.

Solution: Consider buying a new pod holder that is compatible with your Keurig machine. Replacing your pod will resolve the issue of leaking. 

Damaged Internal Pipes

Cause: If your Keurig is leaking while preheating and the gasket and pod holder are in good condition, the issue may be with internal pipes.

Solution: To check the leakage in the water tubes, you will need to fully disassemble your machine and then run a brew cycle. Please only attempt disassembly if you know how to do it.

Keurig Leaking Water When Heating

Sometimes, Keurig leaks water from bottom when brewing or heating only. When this happens, it’s usually because the water reservoir is overfilled or some parts inside the machine are blocked.

To solve this problem, be careful to only fill the water reservoir up to the max fill line. If the issue is because of hard water deposits, descale it using a commercial descaling solution or a vinegar solution.

Once you’ve descaled the machine, run a rinse cycle to remove any leftover descaling solution that could impact the flavor and quality of your coffee. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Keurig machines last?

A Keurig coffee maker can typically last anywhere from 3 to 5 years. However, if you clean it properly, use K-cups responsibly, and conserve water, you can make it last a little longer.

Why is Keurig spitting water everywhere?

If your Keurig is spitting water everywhere, it means the water reservoir is overfilled. Other culprits could be clogs in the machine or a loose/broken gasket.

How to fix Keurig leaking from bottom?

Keurig leakage from bottom can be fixed by repairing cracks in the water reservoir, replacing O-rings, and restoring the valve seal with Silicone grease.

Final Take on Keurig Coffee Maker Leaking Water

Keurig is one of the well-known brands in the brewer industry. But like any other coffee maker, this machine is not indestructible. It can potentially leak from the bottom, top, or even from within. But the good news is these leakage issues are fixable. 

All these leakage issues and their possible solutions have been discussed above. But if the above suggestions don’t solve your issue, your Keurig machine might have more complex problems. Under such situations, it is substantive to consult Keurig’s customer support or get your Keurig replaced with a new one.