Coffee Makers, Troubleshooting Coffee Makers

Why is Your Keurig Not Making/Brewing a Full Cup? Try These Nifty Fixes!

Written by

Erica Cervenkova

Coffee Holli Top Pick

Needless to say:

A properly functioning Keurig coffee machine has the basic responsibility to brew a full cup of delicious coffee. Wonder why your own Keurig is mysteriously producing partial cups of coffee?

You see:

There are some maintenance-related reasons and pretty basic solutions to this frustrating issue.

To that end:

You will find helpful suggestions and most of the answers you need concerning your “stingy” Keurig in this article.

Keep reading to find remedies for your Keurig coffee maker not brewing a full cup of coffee.

Keurig Not Making/Brewing a Full Cup

If your Keurig is not brewing a full cup, there are several treatments for the problem. This issue is fairly common and can be resolved by descaling your coffee maker or cleaning the Keurig’s needles and reservoir tube. Also, shaking trapped air out of your device and replacing a faulty brew basket is helpful.

1. Descale Your Keurig Coffee Maker

Descale Keurig Coffee Maker

Naturally:

Your Keurig will accumulate mineral deposits, also known as limescale, and coffee grounds can get lodged in machine parts.

In addition:

These clogs limit the functionality of your Keurig and could be a likely cause for your partial servings of coffee.

As such:

To reduce the build-up of limescale in your reservoir, we recommend using filtered water and descaling regularly.

Descaling is a perfect way to get rid of the debris causing your Keurig device to malfunction.

To do this:

Fill the reservoir with an equal mixture of descaling solution or white vinegar and water, then run a brewing cycle.

After the cycle is complete:

Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to break down the mineral compounds in the tank.

Finally:

To eradicate any leftover debris, you should run multiple rinse cycles with plain water. Your Keurig should produce a full cup of steaming coffee after this simple maintenance hack.

2. Clean and Unclog Your Keurig Needles

Insert the Clip Keurig Needle

Believe it or not:

Mineral compounds and debris like coffee grounds or foil commonly get stuck in the Keurig’s exit needles. This clog could likely be why your Keurig is not brewing full cups of coffee.

To that end:

A basic solution would be to clean and unclog your Keurig needles. But how do you go about this process?

Now:

There are two simple procedures to try. You can run a rinse cycle with plain water or insert a straightened paper clip to clear the lodged debris.

Either way:

Your Keurig should be back to its full capacity after trying these troubleshooting methods.

One more thing:

You should habitually run a rinse cycle to flush out clogs as a preventive measure.

3. Clean and Unclog the Water Reservoir

Cleaning The Water Tank’s Components

As expected:

Your Keurig coffee maker will not brew a full cup of coffee if the port connecting the water reservoir and the machine is clogged.

You see:

Mineral deposits and debris often lodge into machine parts, resulting in malfunctions.

Typically:

Descaling the Keurig should effectively solve this problem; however, there are other hacks you could try if it doesn’t properly work.

Look:

You can rinse the reservoir and manually clean the area where the tank connects to the machine.

You can also use high water or air pressure to attempt to dislodge and flush out the debris.

After this:

Your Keurig coffee machine should be as good as new and brew the right coffee portions.

4. Give Your Keurig a Shake or Tap to Release Trapped Air

Frequently:

Air gets trapped in the tubing system, limiting the outward flow of coffee during a brewing cycle.

Consequently:

This phenomenon could be why your Keurig is sputtering out insufficient amounts of coffee after brewing.

Off the record:

Give your Keurig a light tap or moderate shake to get the air loose and allow the brewing process to continue seamlessly.

Finally:

To prevent this from happening in the future, avoid letting the water reservoir get empty before giving it a refill.

All in all:

Sometimes all your Keurig needs is a loving nudge to get it to function right.

5. Avoid Removing the Water Reservoir During the Brewing Cycle

Remove the reservoir

So:

You ran a cycle on your Keurig coffee maker, expecting a full cup of coffee only to be greeted with a measly serving.

Think back!

Did you remove the water reservoir during the brewing process?

Here’s the thing:

Tampering with, adjusting, or removing the water reservoir during a brewing cycle can affect the amount of coffee your Keurig turns out.

To fix this:

Set the water reservoir back in place and avoid moving it during a cycle. Then run a rinse cycle with plain water only to make sure the device is working fine.

6. Replace or Clean the Faulty Brew Basket

Insert Reusable K-Cup into the Compartment Keurig

Listen:

If your Keurig is not brewing full cups of coffee, then it is likely that the brew basket is clogged or faulty. This problem is fairly common, so don’t be worried.

Now:

In the case of a clogged brew basket, you would need to spray it and leave it to soak for a few minutes. After this, you must scrub it clean with a soft-bristled brush.

In the same vein:

When the brew basket is damaged, you should replace it immediately.

Note:

You can call Keurig customer support for a free replacement if you haven’t used your brewer for more than a year. All you need is the serial number on the Keurig device, and you’re set.

Model Most Affected

Generally:

Any Keurig coffee maker can stop producing the appropriate amount of coffee after brewing. It is a fairly common coffee maker malfunction.

However:

This Keurig model is the most prone to this issue:

1. Keurig 2.0

Keurig 2.0

Get this:

The Keurig 2.0 was highly anticipated because of the unique features it promised.

However:

It received a lot of consumer criticism after its release, leading it to be discontinued from production in 2019. 

You see:

This model is prone to brewing insufficient servings of coffee. However, you can troubleshoot this problem with the nifty suggestions above.

Conclusion

We are all aware that:

Having a coffee machine that won’t brew a full tasty cup of coffee for your daily caffeine intake can be particularly annoying.

As such:

It would be best if you prioritized finding solutions to this problem to start getting full cups of coffee again.

On account of that:

Here are some helpful troubleshooting suggestions to try.

  • Descale your Keurig
  • Clean and unclog your Keurig
  • Clean and unclog the water reservoir tube
  • Give your Keurig a shake or tap to release trapped air
  • Avoid removing the water reservoir during a brewing cycle
  • Replace or clean the faulty brew basket

Pretty rudimentary stuff, right?

These simple fixes will have your Keurig working as effectively as a brand-new model.

Plus:

You will say goodbye to partial coffee servings for as long as you can maintain your Keurig efficiently.

In any case:

Remember to give us feedback if you try any of our suggested solutions. We would be delighted to hear your questions, additions, and opinions.

Kindly leave them in the comment section below!


Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does My Keurig Machine Not Brew a Full Cup?

Your Keurig machine will not brew full coffee servings for various reasons.
 
These include:
 
A clogged needle, water reservoir tube or system, faulty brew basket, trapped air, or inappropriate reservoir adjustment.

How Do I Unclog My Keurig?

You can easily unclog your Keurig by washing all the detachable parts of the machine with warm water and dish soap.

Also:

After assembling your Keurig, run several brewing cycles with just water to flush out debris.

How Do I Calibrate My Keurig?

To calibrate or reset your Keurig, remove the water reservoir first, then turn it off and unplug the device.
 
After a few minutes, replug your Keurig and power it up before replacing the reservoir.

How Do You Tell If Your Keurig Is Clogged?

Tell-tale signs that your Keurig is clogged include a leaking Keurig or partial servings of coffee instead of a full cup.

Consequently:

You should clean, unclog, and descale your Keurig regularly to avoid the problems of a clogged Keurig.

Why Does My Keurig Stop in the Middle of Brewing?

Your Keurig is likely to abruptly stop while brewing due to the obstruction of the exit hole.

As such:

You should open the top of your Keurig and use a straightened paper clip to clear out the debris from the needle.

Why Doesn’t My Keurig Dispense the Right Amount of Water?

Your Keurig does not dispense the appropriate amount of water, possibly because of a fault with the water pump.

About
Erica Cervenkova
Coffee Connoisseur, SCA Member

As a coffee connoisseur and member of the Specialty Coffee Association, I am dedicated to understanding the sustainability of coffee pods and the impact it has on the environment. My expertise lies in the realm of capsule coffee machines, from the likes of Keurig and Nespresso to other well-known US brands. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping others make informed decisions about their coffee choices. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or just looking for a new way to enjoy your morning cup, I'm here to help.

Erica

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