Why is my nespresso blinking red

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Why Is My Nespresso Blinking Orange or Red Light? A Guide To Troubleshooting Vertuo Flashing Light Errors

Nespresso Vertuoline coffee and espresso makers have built in light based alerts. If you see a blinking orange or red light, your Nespresso Vertuo machine needs troubleshooting. For the Vertuo Next, Vertuo Pop, Vertuo and Evoluo, there is an orange light. For the Vertuo Plus or VertuoPlus Deluxe, it will be a red light. This post explains what the Nespresso blinking light error codes mean and how to fix your machine so you can enjoy your cup of coffee again. The same troubleshooting steps will apply to your model whether it is made by De’Longhi or Breville.

If you are not sure which Vertuo model you have, you can reference this image.

Nespresso Vertuoline Blinking Orange / Red Light Guide

If the red light alert is on your Aeroccino frother, see our post on why your frother is blinking red. Owners of a Nespresso Original machine like the Pixie, Inissia or Essenza Plus, should visit my related post on why those models may be blinking red.

Nespresso Blinking Orange Light Meaning & Troubleshooting For Vertuo Next, Vertuo Pop, Vertuo and Evoluo

The pattern of the Nespresso blinking orange light will tell you what kind of troubleshooting is needed. There are 7 Nespresso orange light error codes for the Vertuo Next, Vertuo Pop, Vertuo and Evoluo coffee makers. Different patterns of the flashing orange light have different meaning:

Keep reading to see the steps Nespresso suggests when troubleshooting the Vertuo blinking orange light alerts. You may also read the user manual for your machine: Vertuo Next (pages 29 and 30), Vertuo (pages 20 and 21), or Evoluo (pages 20 and 21). If you have a Vertuo Next that is showing one of these errors and is not working, don’t hesitate to call Nespresso support after trying the steps below. Compared to the Vertuo Plus, the Next is known to have a lot of problems. This includes a mysterious purple light or a solid or blinking white light that often appears a couple days before the machine completely stops working.

How To Fix Blinking Orange Twice

If your Nespresso blinks orange twice, you need to clean it. Follow these steps:

1. Open the head to eject any used capsules. Take a paper towel, dampen it with hot water, and gently run it around the piece that spins on the under side of the open head. Also gently wipe the area around where the coffee capsules sit.
2. Empty and rinse the water tank and then fill it with fresh water.
3. Rinse the cup support and put a 14 fl oz or larger mug under the coffee spout.
4. Empty the capsule container. Return it after you have rinsed with cold water.
5. Close the head and put it in the lock position by turning left.
6. Start the cleaning cycle by pushing the button 3 times within 2 seconds. It will start flashing and within 2 minutes, water will begin to come out. This will go for about 5 minutes as it pumps through 3 cycles of water.

If it keeps blinking after this, try holding the button down for at least 7 seconds. If it still is flashing, you may want to run the descaling process before calling Nespresso support. The toll free number is 1-800-562-1465.

How To Fix Blinking Orange 3 Times

If your Nespresso Vertuo is blinking orange 3 times, troubleshooting will require you to descale your machine. Descaling mode will remove mineral buildup from the water used to brew your coffee that is blocking water flow. Read my other post for instructions on how to descale your machine. Note you will need to buy a special cleaning solution.

Once you have your solution, follow these steps to descale:

1. Empty the capsule container. Remove the drip tray and empty it.
2. Add the solution and clean water to the tank, following the instructions on your solution.
3. Close and lock the machine to turn it on. Allow it to heat up. When the light stops flashing, it has finished heating up.
4. Open the machine head and empty any used capsule. Close it and leave the lever in unlocked position towards the front.
5. Press and hold the button for at least 7 seconds to enter descaling mode. The button will blink rapidly when it is ready. You then have 45 seconds to start the next steps in the descaling process.
6. Turn the lever left towards the lock symbol, then unlock by turning right. Hold the button in the unlocked position for at least 7 seconds.
7. Place a container that is at least 34 fl oz under the coffee outlet.
8. To start descaling, turn the lever left to lock the machine. Push the button. It will stop when the first phase is done.
9. Empty and rinse the water tank, drip tray and cup support.
10. Fill the water tank with fresh water. Push the button to rinse.
11. When the light stops flashing and becomes steady, the process is done.
12. Let it sit and dry for at least 10 minutes.

If your Nespresso continues to show an orange or red light after you finish the descale cycle, there may be a problem with your machine. In particular, the Vertuo Next may experience an issue with the heating element after descaling. You should call support.

How To Resolve Pulsing Orange Light

A pulsing orange means that your machine needs to cool down. This can happen after a lot of use. Push the button for 3 seconds to turn it off, then push it again to turn on. Wait 20-60 minutes for it to cool down. If it still pulses after this, then hold the button down for at least 7 seconds to see if it stops.

How To Fix Orange Light Blinking Rapidly Twice, Followed By Long Pause

There could be three different times when the machine could be flashing in this way: during coffee prep, during descaling, emptying or cleaning or during programming volume.

If this happens while you are trying to make a drink, make sure that a new capsule with no damage has been inserted correctly. Next, check that the machine is locked. If the light continues, try inserting a new coffee pod, lock and press the button.

During descaling or cleaning, make sure there is no capsule in the coffee maker and that it is locked. Press and hold the button for 3 seconds to turn the machine off. Then press it again to turn it on. If the light is still there, unplug it from the wall. Wait 10 seconds before plugging it in and then turn it on.

During programming the water volume for your drink, just make sure that the pod is placed correctly.

If your machine won’t stop blinking, you should call support. The toll free number is 1-800-562-1465.

How To Fix Orange Light That Is On For 1.5 Seconds, Off For 0.5 Seconds

If your Vertuo is flashing in this way, it means your water tank is empty or low. Just fill the water reservoir with clean water and push the button to start.

How To Resolve Orange Light Blinking 5 Times In 10 Seconds

This rapidly blinking orange means that you need to do a factory reset. To do this, open the head and eject the capsule. Close the head and leave it in the unlocked position. Push the button 5 times within 3 seconds. It will blink slowly 5 times to confirm that the reset is done.

How To Stop Alternating Orange And White Blinking Light

Once you get this alert, you will only be able to use your brewer a few times before descaling is needed. You will have to buy a cleaning kit. Then follow the steps below.

1. Empty the capsule container. Remove the drip tray and empty it.
2. Add the solution and clean water to the tank, following the instructions on your solution.
3. Close and lock the machine to turn it on. Allow it to heat up. When the light stops flashing, it has finished heating up.
4. Open the machine head and empty any used capsule. Close it and leave the lever in unlocked position towards the front.
5. Press and hold the button for at least 7 seconds to enter descaling mode. The button will blink rapidly when it is ready. You then have 45 seconds to start the next steps in the descaling process.
6. Turn the lever left towards the lock symbol, then unlock by turning right. Hold the button in the unlocked position for at least 7 seconds.
7. Place a container that is at least 34 fl oz under the coffee outlet.
8. To start descaling, turn the lever left to lock the machine. Push the button. It will stop when the first phase is done.
9. Empty and rinse the water tank, drip tray and cup support.
10. Fill the water tank with fresh water. Push the button to rinse.
11. When the light stops flashing and becomes steady, the process is done.
12. Let it sit and dry for at least 10 minutes.

For Vertuo Next or Vertuo Pop Owners: Get Maintenance Alerts With The Nespresso App

The easiest way to understand what the flashing light error codes on your Vertuo Next or Pop means is to use the Nespresso app. The Next and the Pop are the only Vertuo models that have Bluetooth so they can send alerts to the app saying what the issue is with your unit. Common alerts are:

• Unlocked machine
• Empty water tank
• Eject previous capsule
• Blocked brew unit
• Capsule not recognized
• Electronic error
• Descale needed

How To Connect Nespresso Vertuo Next or Pop To Bluetooth

1. Once you’ve downloaded the Nespresso app, make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your device is turned on. Place the phone on top of your machine.
2. Open the app, click the machine icon in the top right corner. Follow the next steps.
3. When it prompts you to select a Wi-Fi network, choose your network and enter your Wi-Fi password.
4. Hit connect and then OK once the connection is made. The machine should say “Connected.”

Nespresso Vertuo Plus and VertuoPlus Deluxe Red Light Error Codes Troubleshooting

There are 8 different error codes that a Nespresso Vertuo Plus and VertuoPlus Deluxe machine will display with a red light:

Keep reading to see the steps Nespresso suggests when troubleshooting the Vertuo Plus machine red light alerts. You may also read the user manual for your machine: Breville models (pages 24-29) or De’Longhi models (pages 24-29).

How To Fix Steady Red Light

If you see a steady red while your VertuoPlus is not running, it needs to cool down. Turn it off, unplug it and wait at least 15 minutes for it to cool. Plug the cord back into the wall. Press the lever down to turn it on. When it has cooled down, it will turn a steady green. If the steady light remains, you should contact support. The toll free number is 1-800-562-1465.

How To Stop Pulsing Red Light

A pulsing red means that your Vertuo Plus is cooling down. Be patient. Once the cool down is done, it will turn a steady green.

How To Resolve Recurring Flashing Red Light

Is the light continuously flashing? Has the head has stopped moving? If so, then you need to remove any obstacles, empty the coffee pod container, and then open or close the head depending on the position it is in.

How To Troubleshoot Blinking Red Light Two Times Then Steady Green

Either your water tank is empty or a capsule is missing from the head. Remove and refill the water tank. Open the head to eject any used capsule and insert a new coffee pod. Close the head and then push the button to start. If this doesn’t work, there may be an airlock that is blocking the water flow. The “baster method” is a popular way to clear an airlock with the VertuoPlus. Follow these steps:

• Remove the water reservoir. Inspect the base where you place the tank to make sure there isn’t any debris that is interfering with the tank attaching securely to the machine. If there is, clean it and try again.
• Fill the water tank. Hold it over a sink and press the valve button at the bottom. If water releases, you can be sure there is no issue with your tank. If not, try clearing anything that may be blocking the valve.
• Use a baster, eye dropper or teaspoon to add a small amount of water to the indent in the base where the water tank valve would usually connect.
• Leave the tank off of the machine. Start the pump and then stop it right away. See if the machine sucked in those few drops of water.
• If it did, reattach the tank to the machine and start the pump. Press the button to start brewing. Hopefully you see water flowing through the machine now.

How To Solve Flashing Red Light Twice Then Steady Orange

A flashing red light followed by a steady orange light means the special functions menu has been enabled. This happens when you press and hold both the lever and the button at the same time for 3 seconds. Choose the special function you want (reseting, descaling, or emptying) by pushing the lever down a certain number of times:

• Descale: Push lever down twice
• Empty: Push lever down twice
• Reset: Push lever down three times

If you want to exit the special functions menu, don’t touch your machine for two minutes. It will then exit the menu by itself. If you don’t want to wait you can also just press the lever and the button together for three seconds.

How To Fix Blinking Red Light Two Times Then Blinking Orange

You may see this alert when a special function is running. You should open the head and eject the capsule. Press the button to restart the function. If you are emptying the system, just remove the water tank.

How To Stop Blinking Then Steady Red Light

Examine the head position if your machine won’t start and the red light blinks 3 times before turning steady. Press the lever up then wait until the head stops moving. If you see any obstacle, remove it. Otherwise, just empty the capsule container then press the lever down to close the head.

How To Fix Red And Green or Yellow Light

If your VertuoPlus has a light that is red and green or yellow, you need to descale. This will remove mineral buildup that may interfere with water flow through your coffee maker. You will need to get a solution kit.

Once you have the solution, follow these steps to descale:

1. Turn the machine on by pressing the button.
2. Eject any used capsule. Push the lever down to close.
3. Push the lever for 3 seconds to turn off the coffee maker. Empty the cup support and capsule container.
4. Add the solution and water to the tank, following the instructions on your kit.
5. Start descaling by pushing the button and lever down at the same time for 3 seconds. An orange light will turn on.
6. Press the lever down one time in the next 2 minutes to select descaling. An orange light will come on.
7. Place a 20 fl oz bowl under the coffee outlet.
8. Click on the button to start. It will stop when the process is done.
9. Empty and rinse the water tank and cup support. Then fill the tank with fresh water and put it back.
10. Push the button again to rinse. It will stop when it is complete, but you can also stop the process by pushing the button once the orange light flashes every 2 seconds.
11. Press the button and the lever down for 3 seconds to exit descaling mode. The light should turn green.
12. Let it sit and dry for 10 minutes before use.

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