My Keurig Says to Add Water but It’s Full (13 Ways to Fix it NOW!)

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Well, I’m sure you’ve been there.

You’ve got your Keurig set up, you’ve got a great mug of coffee brewing, and then…

Your Keurig tells you to add water.

Maybe it’s been happening a lot lately? Maybe it’s just starting to happen? Either way, it can be frustrating when your Keurig asks for more water when it knows the reservoir is full.

But don’t worry! There’s a solution.

1. Check if the water reservoir is truly full

There are times when the reservoir may appear to be full, but it actually not. You first need to take the tank off and empty it.

This is going to help you know that the tank is full.

Refill the tank and replace it, ensuring that the magnet attaches and that the tank is fully secured.

2. Check if the water line is kinked

One of the most common reasons for a Keurig not working is because there’s no water flowing through the line.

If your Keurig says “add water” but you know it’s full, there may be a kink in your water line.

Kinks in any part of the line can cause coffee makers to malfunction and not brew properly.

If this is happening to you and you want to fix it yourself instead of calling an expert or buying a new machine, here are some steps.

Check for kinks in your water line. You can do this by turning off the power to your Keurig, removing the cover from underneath it, and looking for any kinks in your water line.

If there is one, try using a thin stick or hose to push out any air bubbles and kinks until they’re gone from inside the machine as well as outside (this might take several tries).

If there aren’t any obvious kinks but your machine still isn’t working properly, you may have to consider replacing your entire water line!

3. Check if the coffee grounds are clogged

Another issue may be a clog in the coffee grounds.

This could be a clog in the coffee grounds in the k cup which can make it appear that the water cannot go through and the brew cycle cannot complete.

Take the K-cup out and check to make sure that the cup is not clogged and that there is not any ground in the K-cup holder that may be clogging things.

4. Check if the exit needle is clogged

The exit needle or the needle where the water comes out of the Keurig into the k cup to go down through the cup and into your mug.

This needle can become clogged; it can become overly full; and it can get clogged with coffee grounds, sugar, and more.

You need to check to ensure that the needle is not clogged and that water can come down through the needle.

If you find that it is clogged, you can use a sewing needle to unclog it and remove any buildup that might be present in it.

5. Check and replace the filter

You may be dealing with an old water filter as well. If the water filter is old, it may not allow the sensor to tell that there is water in the tank. To replace your filter, follow these steps:

Remove the old filter. The reservoir is most often located on the left side of the machine. You need to remove the reservoir and locate the filter compartment.
Remove the filter assembly and remove the old filter. You then need to make sure that there is nothing else in the reservoir that is causing issues with the filter and how it reads out.
Soak your new filter in water for about five to ten minutes. This is going to remove any debris that might be present in the new filter and keep it from going into the machine itself and the water system.
Rinse the filter under running water for about 60 seconds.
Rinse the filter holder.
Place the new filter into the filter holder and put it back into the machine.
These filters last for about two months, depending on how often you use them and how hard your water is.

6. Check the magnet sensor

The first thing you should do when your Keurig says to add water but it’s full is to make sure that the magnet sensor is in place properly.

If the water reservoir’s magnet is not in place, brewing will stop.

To check this, turn off your Keurig, unplug it from its power source and remove the water reservoir.

You’ll see a small black disc with a magnet attached to it on the underside of the reservoir lid. This is called a “magnet sensor.”

This magnet sensor acts as a sensor to detect the water level of the Keurig tank.

If you can’t find your magnet sensor or if it appears to be damaged or misaligned, contact Keurig customer service for help!

7. Try thoroughly cleaning the coffee machine

Still, another problem that you might have, is that your machine is dirty.

You may need to do a full system clean-up to remove any scale or build-up that is in the machine itself.

You want to clean the reservoir, clean the tubes, clean the filter, clean the needle, and any other part that you can.

You can also run white vinegar mixed with water through the machine to help take out any dirt of scale that might be on the inside of the machine.

8. Try the spank method

If your Keurig still isn’t working, try turning it upside down and lightly smacking the bottom of it.

This is called “spanking” and sometimes clears out clogs in the lines that prevent water from reaching the machine correctly.

This might dislodge materials like tiny rocks or dirt particles that are causing problems with the flow sensor and prevent it from working properly.

9. Try resetting the Keurig

If that does not work, you may want to try to reset your machine. To do that, follow these steps:

First, turn off the Keurig by pressing the off button, then, unplug the Keurig.
Remove the reservoir before you plug your coffee maker back in.
Leave it all unplugged for a few minutes.
After that, plug your machine back in and turn it on.
Put the water reservoir back on.
Open the k cup holder and then close it again

10. Clean the reservoir tank

You may also be dealing with a reservoir that is dirty.

If you think that might be a problem, take the tank off and soak it in a solution of white vinegar and water to help dislodge any hard water or calcium buildup.

Leave it for a little bit then wash the reservoir in warm, soapy water.

11. Readjust the water reservoir tank

Your water tank may also not be secured properly.

Take the time to remove your water tank and check to ensure it is not damaged.

Then, put the tank back on and make sure you hear it snap or secure into place.

12. Refill the water reservoir tank with new water

If you are having trouble with your Keurig, try this troubleshooting guide.

Turn off the brewer and unplug it for a few minutes, then remove the water reservoir from the machine.
Plug your machine back in and wait a few minutes
Attach your water reservoir back to the machine and open and close the k-cup holder to make sure everything is working correctly.
Empty out any remaining water in the tank and refill it with fresh water until it’s full. There’s usually a max fill line located on the reservoir tank.
If there isn’t enough water, repeat this step until you have enough in there.
Make sure the exit needle is clean before running again. If they’re dirty or clogged up with coffee grounds then it could cause problems when trying to brew coffee again. Make sure those are cleaned out first thing before moving forward

13. Add water into the reservoir tank to the max line

If you are still dealing with issues, you can always fill the reservoir up again to the max fill line.

If you are still dealing with issues, you may need to take the time to contact support and see if you can send your machine in for service, or if they can talk you through some potential solutions for your machine.

In some cases, there is simply no easy solution to your issues, and you do need to take the time to really just try to get your machine seen by a technician who may have a better solution for you and your machine.

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