If your Keurig machine is making noise, it could be a part of normal brewer functioning, it could be that your unit is defective, or it has an issue that needs to be fixed. Clicking noises are usually accompanied by brewing issues like the machine brewing partially-full cups or even failing to brew anything at all.
Why is my Keurig making-clicking noises?
A noisy Keurig coffee machine can make the brewing process quite frustrating. And even if the noise doesn’t bother you, it could mean that there’s a problem with your brewer that needs to be fixed. Keurig machines make various types of noises including hissing sounds, grinding sounds, and clicking sounds, with the latter being the most common.
Misplaced/Old parts
If your Keurig is making clicking noises, it’s highly likely that one or more of the machine’s components isn’t properly attached. Loose canisters and poorly-fitted movable parts tend to produce a clicking sound when the Keurig machine is in use.
It could also be that the parts are too old and need to be completely replaced. If you’re still getting a clicking sound even with everything properly positioned, your Keurig machine is probably producing ‘click-clack’ sounds due to old, worn out parts that have served out their time.
Improper brewer positioning/placement
Another reason your coffee machine may produce clicking + vibrating sounds is improper positioning. Placing your Keurig on hard surfaces such as concrete will most likely cause it to produce an annoying sound as you brew. Older Keurig models also use older technology and are more likely to produce clicking noises, unlike newer models which are designed to be quieter while brewing.
A clogged exit needle
If the exit needle/ puncture needle at the bottom of your K-Cup pod is clogged by debris or coffee grounds, your Keurig may produce clicking sounds and fail to brew. Once the water is heated and the machine is ready to brew, but the exit needle is clogged and fails to properly puncture the exit hole, the machine may fail to brew and you’re likely to hear clicking noises.
Why is my Keurig so loud when heating?
Meanwhile, if your Keurig is making loud noises when heating, it’s likely that the water line is clogged by coffee grounds and other type of debris. As such, the brewer is forced to use lots of power to draw water from the reservoir, resulting in the loud sounds.
The loud noises from your Keurig machine when heating could also be due to a faulty water pump. This is the water pump that draws water from the water tank to the internal heating reservoir, not the one that injects hot water into the K-Cup pods. If this water pump is broken, your coffee maker won’t function normally, with one sign of this issue being noises that are produced during the heating stage.
Owners of some Keurig models have also reported this loud, humming sound when heating more often, especially the Keurig B60 and B70/B77 models. This may be a pointer towards a design defect in these models, with many pointing out that the type of pump they’re using is not powerful enough to force the check valve open and allow for water flow.
Why is my Keurig mini making noise after brewing?
It’s normal to hear noises coming out of your Keurig, especially if it’s an older model, due to the amount of pressure it takes for the pump too push hot water through the coffee pods. However, you may find any noises that occur after brewing to be a little strange.
However, the clicking sounds coming off your Keurig about two hours after you’re done brewing your last coffee cup may simply imply that the unit is decompressing, not that it’s defective. It automatically does this to get excess air out of its system.
How do I fix my noisy Keurig?
If the clicking sound (or any other noise coming out your Keurig, for that matter) is not a part of normal machine functioning and is affecting your brewing process, there’s definitely something you can do about that. You can fix your noisy Keurig by descaling it with vinegar to get rid of limescale, unclogging the exit needle using a paper clip, or requesting for a replacement Keurig unit.
Descale the Keurig
To effectively descale your Keurig brewer, follow the procedure detailed below:
- If there’s a K-Cup inside the pod holder, remove it.
- Mix one parts white vinegar with one parts water and transfer the solution to the water tank. Ensure the water-vinegar mix reaches just below the ‘max fill line’ on the water reservoir.
- After the solution heats, let the solution sit inside the heating chamber for about 30 minutes before running a few brew cycles. The brewing process will run the vinegar descaling solution through the rest of the water line, further clearing limescale off the machine and unclogging parts that are causing the noises due to blockage.
- Finally, run a cleansing cycle through the Keurig using distilled hot water. This will help to get rid of residual vinegar solution inside the machine. You definitely don’t want your freshly-brewed coffee smelling and tasting like vinegar.
Unclog the exit needle
You can use a paper clip to unclog the puncture needle. This allows for effective puncturing and the hot water can then exit the K-Cup pod after passing through the coffee grounds and be dispensed into your mug.
Replace the Keurig unit
If you suspect that your Keurig model has a defective water pump, you can reach out to the brand’s customer care team on their social media pages and they’ll get you a replacement.
Note: You may also be able to stop the clicking noise that you hear when your Keurig fails to brew after heating the water by simultaneously pressing and holding down all three of the coffee cup buttons. Though there’s no logical explanation for this fix from Keurig, it seems to have worked for several of the brand’s customers, going by the comments on their social media pages.
References
- United States Geological Survey (USGS), Water Science School: Hardness of Water
- Clemson Cooperative Extension: Bicarbonates and Limescale
