Keurig espresso machines make it easy to brew a cup of cappuccino due to the inbuilt milk frother. However, users are sometimes left frustrated when the frother just won’t work or won’t produce any foam even when working. There are several reasons your milk frother may be faulty, and the proper fix depends on knowing the cause of the frother problem.
Why is my Keurig frother not working?
If the frother on your Keurig espresso maker is not working, it’s likely due to one or more of the following reasons:
i. A dirty whisk
ii. The jug temperature is too high
iii. There’s no connection between the jug and the powerbase
iv. You’re not operating the brewer correctly
v. You’re using the wrong kind of milk
The whisk is dirty
If you haven’t been cleaning your frothing jug after using it, there’s likely a buildup of milk residue around the whisk, causing the frother to fail. Whenever there’s excessive leftover milk around the whisk, the motor won’t start. It could also be that the whisk isn’t correctly attached, and the black magnetic whisk piece isn’t inside.
The jug temperature is too high.
If you’ve just used the frother during the previous brew and are trying to brew another cup of milk-based beverage, it could be that the frothing jug is still too hot. This causes the jug to stop working soon after starting.
No connection between the jug and the powerbase
If the connection between the jug and the powerbase isn’t secure, the jug or the indicator light may stop working. There could be dirt/dust on the base or the bottom side of the jug preventing a secure connection.
Wrongful operation
If your Keurig frother isn’t starting properly and the front light is pulsing, it’s because you’re trying to froth the milk while the coffee is still brewing. These two processes can’t take place simultaneously in a Keurig espresso machine.
You’re using the wrong kind of milk
Sometimes, you may notice that the milk frother is rotating, but it isn’t producing any froth/foam. This is most likely when you use the wrong kind of milk. Skim/nonfat milk doesn’t froth well due to the lack of milk fat. Milk that has been inside an open container for 3 days or more doesn’t froth well either, as this extended period of exposure to light and oxygen causes the properties of the protein in the milk to start changing.
How to fix Keurig milk frother not working?
Possible fixes for a Keurig milk frother that’s not working include:
i. Cleaning the whisk
ii. Allowing the jug to cool down
iii. Cleaning the powerbase and underside of the frothing pitcher
iv. Frothing after the brewing process is complete
v. Using the right kind of milk
Clean the whisk
For a dirty whisk causing motor startup failure, remove the whisk and clean it and the jug using soap and warm water. As you wash, use a soft sponge to scrub and dislodge the milk residue from the whisk.
Meanwhile, if the whisk attachment is the problem, ensure the magnetic whisk piece is inside and push it down firmly to ensure it is securely attached.
Let the jug cool down.
Let it cool down for about two minutes for a jug that stops working shortly after starting because it is too hot from recent use. Alternatively, you can rinse the inside of the frothing jug with cold water to lower its temperature before frothing milk again.
Clean the base/underside of the jug
If the frother isn’t working due to a lack of connection between the underside of the jug and the powerbase, you need to clean the bottom of the jug and the base. Detach the jug from the base and use a soft, damp cloth to clean the bottom of the jug. Do the same for the power base and let both parts dry up. Once dry, securely attach the frothing jug to the base, and the light should come back to indicate that you can start frothing.
Froth after completing the brew cycle
Avoid starting the frothing process until the brew cycle is complete to prevent frother startup failure. Only after you’ve completed brewing should you proceed to use the milk frother.
Use the right kind of milk
Whole milk is the best for frothing in a Keurig, as it contains more fat that produces better froth. If you prefer plant-based milk, use oat or almond milk, as they produce the most foam. If your milk container has been open for 3 days or more, shake it up before transferring the milk to the frother. This will reverse the effects of the changing properties of the protein in the milk that could hinder the formation of froth.
Reach out to Keurig
If you’ve tried all the above fixes and your Keurig milk frother still isn’t working properly or won’t start at all, contact the Keurig support team for professional troubleshooting and repair of the faulty component inside your milk frother.
Why does Keurig k-cafe frother keep beeping? + fixes
If your Keurig frother produces three consecutive beeps, it indicates that the frother isn’t correctly attached to the Keurig machine. To fix this problem, clean any dirt stuck on the base with a damp towel. Also, ensure the frother is appropriately fixed onto the base.
The beeping may also occur if the whisk is misplaced.
Meanwhile, if the buttons on the frother are flickering in a circular motion, it implies that there’s no water in the brewer. To stop the flickering, refill and reinsert the Keurig water reservoir.
References
i. Keurig.com: K-Café- Keurig
