Nespresso is for coffee lovers! You can brew a perfect coffee in the coffee machine. However, there are times when the coffee machine stops working and shows different errors. It may blink orange light or red light as per the machine model. The blinking of different color lights and the number of times it blinks represents different errors. In this article, we will guide you about blinking orange and red lights and how to fix these errors.
Contents
What is a Nespresso machine, and how does it work?
The Nespresso machine brews espresso and coffee from the Nespresso coffee capsules and pods, which are single-serve coffee containers.
Brewing Nespresso is just a few steps. The user inserts the coffee capsule, selects the drink size, and presses the start button, and the machine will do the rest of the work.
However, if you are interested in knowing the working of the Nespresso coffee machine in more detail, here it is. In general, the working of a Nespresso machine is simple. Firstly, we fill the water tank with clean water, the machine is turned on, and then the user inserts the espresso pod in the front of the Nespresso machine. The water pumps through the curled pipe around a heating element, and hot water is forced to produce espresso. The filter inside the coffee capsule helps ensure that no coffee grounds get into the cup of coffee you wish to have.
Also read: Best Espresso Machines: Expert Picks for 2023
What type of Nespresso machine do you own?
If you have a Nespresso machine, you would have experienced the blinking orange light and red light. It is nothing to worry about because it’s normal.
Before going into the details of fixing the blinking orange light and red light, we will first identify the type of Nespresso machine you own. Two types of Nespresso coffee machines are available in the market. One is OriginalLine, and the other is VertuoLine.
An overview of both is as below. If you don’t know which type of Nespresso machine you own, we are here to help!
OriginalLine
Nespresso OriginalLine machines are easy to use. They use a 19-bar high-pressure extraction to prepare espresso. It prepares a strong espresso coffee. Depending on the model of the OriginalLine Nespresso machine three different cup sizes are available to choose from. These are ristretto (22ml), lungo (90ml) and espresso (30ml). The price of OriginalLine models ranges from $100- $800.
VertuoLine
VertuoLine machines are a new technology that uses the method of centrifugal brewing to prepare coffee. The VertuoLine machine prepares coffee with more crema. The coffee pods used in VertuoLine come in different sizes depending on the coffee flavor. VertuoLine models prepare a large cup of coffee as compared to OriginalLine. The different cup sizes available are: Espresso (40ml). Double espresso (80ml), gran Lungo (150ml), Alto (414ml), and Mug (230ml).
You can get detailed information on both types in our detailed guide on Nespresso Original vs VertuoLine.
Related: Best Nespresso Vertuo Pods
Why is Nespresso blinking light?
Now when you have identified the type of Nespresso machine you own, it is time to move to the main topic of this article- The Nespresso blinking light.
Nespresso coffee machines have built-in light-based alerts for the users. The blinking light in the Nespresso machine means that it needs troubleshooting. There are different models in the Nespresso VertuoLine machines – like Nespresso Vertuo Next, VertuoPlus, VertuoPlus Deluxe, Evoluo, etc. You might see orange, red, or green light. This light blinks differently for every other issue. In this article, we will go through the problems and their solutions.
Related: Nespresso Red and Yellow Light – How To Fix it
Nespresso Blinking Orange Light
The number of times the orange light blinks and the time interval between blinking tell you a lot. You need to observe the blinking orange light status to identify the main issue.
Nespresso Blinking Orange Light Meaning
There are seven different orange light meanings that the Nespresso machines can have. A list of them is as below. We’ll help you identify the issue and then fix it real quick!
| Orange Light Status | Meaning |
| Orange light blinking twice per second | Machine needs cleaning |
| Orange light blinking thrice per second | Machine needs descaling |
| Pulsing orange light | Machine is overheating |
| Orange light blinking twice in 1 second and then a long pause | There’s a machine error |
| Blinking for 1.5 seconds and not blinking for 0.5 seconds | The water tank of the machine is empty |
| Blinking 5 times in 10 seconds | The machine requires a factory reset setting |
| Blinks orange light and then white light for 3 seconds | The machine needs descaling urgently |
How to fix the orange light blinking twice per second?
When the specific light status occurs, your Nespresso machine needs a quick cleaning session. Here are a few steps that you can follow to clean your Nespresso machine.
- Open the head of the machine. Use a paper towel and dump it in cold water. Gently clean the area where you place coffee capsules. Also, clean the head which is exposed.
- Wash the water tank and refill it with fresh water.
- Clean the capsule container and place it back in its position.
- Take a mug of 14 oz or more and place it under the coffee spout.
- Close the head of the machine.
- Now press the button three times in two seconds. The light will blink at the start, and in two minutes, the water starts flowing. The water will complete three cycles of going through the pipe. It will take approximately five minutes.
- After five minutes, your machine has done its cleaning.
- If the blinking continues, hold the button for seven seconds. If it continues, you need to descale your machine.
That’s a quick trick and works!
How to fix the orange light blinking thrice per second?
If you see a blinking orange light three times in one second, then the water flow is blocked. It is time to descale your machine. It will take almost 20 minutes to descale your Nespresso machine. However, this time is worth it. It will remove all the mineral buildup in the water. Hence, allowing the water to flow.
Later, in the article, you will see how to descale the Nespresso machine.
How to fix pulsing orange light?
The pulsing orange light means the machine is overheated. It is because the Nespresso machine is used multiple times in a short period. At this point, you need to cool down the coffee maker and give it a rest.
To fix the issue, press the button for three seconds to turn it off. Let the machine rest for almost 20 to 60 minutes. After that, you can start brewing coffee again.
How to fix the orange light blinking twice in 1 second and then a long pause?
There can be three different situations where this kind of machine error occurs. They are as below:
- Time of coffee preparation.
- At the time of the descaling process.
- At the time of programming volume.
To deal with the issues, make sure you inserted the coffee capsule correctly. Also, make sure the machine is locked. Try inserting a new pod of coffee in the Nespresso and start over.
Bustler Tips: Keep in mind to remove coffee capsules from the Nespresso machine before you start the cleaning cycle or descaling cycle.
If the problem persists, try unplugging the coffee machine, wait and then plug it back.
Remember! You can always contact the Nespresso support team for any help.
How to fix the orange light blinking for 1.5 seconds and not blinking for 0.5 seconds?
The issue arises if your water tank is empty. To fix this problem, you need to fill up the water reservoir of your Nespresso Vertuo machine. Remember, always fill the water tank with freshwater.
How to fix the orange light blinking 5 times in 10 seconds?
If such a situation arises, the factory reset your coffee machine. To do so, open the machine head, remove the coffee pod, and keep them unlocked. Push the button 5 times in 3 seconds. Factory settings will start. After the reset is complete, it will blink 5 times in a row to confirm the rest is done.
How to fix blinking orange light and then white light for 3 seconds?
This blinking situation starts when the water is blocked. Once this light signal comes, you can brew coffee a few times before it stops working. The fix for this situation is to descale your Nespresso coffee machine.
Nespresso Blinking Red Light
Red light status occurs in Nespresso VertuoPlus and VertuoPlus Deluxe machines. The blinking of red light represents different errors in the coffee machine. Here we will provide a list of them.
Nespresso Blinking Red Light meaning
Several red-light statuses have different meanings. A list of them is as follows.
| Red Light Status | Meaning |
| Steady red light | It is a machine error |
| Pulsing red light | Machine is overheated |
| Continuous blinking red light per second | Machine obstacles need cleaning |
| The red light blinks twice, and then a steady green light | The water tank is empty, or the coffee capsule is missing |
| Red light blinks twice, and then steady orange light | There is an error in the special function |
| The steady red light on the left and steady green light on left | Machine needs descaling |
How to resolve the steady red light issue?
Steady red light blinking once per second in the Nespresso coffee machine means that there is an error in it. The easy way is to let your machine rest for a while. Unplug the Nespresso, and wait for 15 minutes. Let it cool down. Plug it again, and enjoy your coffee brewing.
How to fix pulsing red light?
A pulsing red light means that the machine is overheated. It may be because the coffee machine is used several times in a short interval of time. Again, let Nespresso cool down for a while. Wait for some time. Once the cooling process is complete, it will turn into a steady green light.
How to fix the continuous blinking of red light per second?
Continuously blinking a red light per second is a machine error. Fixing it required you to clean the obstacles. Open the coffee pod container, empty it, clean it and then place it back. It will help remove obstacles, and your Nespresso is again in a healthy condition.
How to fix the left red light and right green light issue?
If you see a half red and half green steady light on the Nespresso machine, it means that it needs descaling. Minerals in water have blocked the water flow, and because of it, error is popping up. Descaling the machine will clean up the mess, and you will be able to prepare coffee as usual.
How to fix the issue of blinking red light twice and then steady orange light?
If such a situation occurs, there is an error in special functions. There can be three options you can go on with.
- Cleaning the machine
- Descaling the machine
- Factory Resetting the machine
If the light continues to be so, contact Nespresso support department.
How to fix the blinking red light twice and then steady the green light?
There can be two situations. Either the water reservoir is empty, or the coffee capsule is missing. So, the fix to this situation is to fill up the water tank with clean water. Secondly, eject the used coffee capsule (if already there) and insert a new coffee pod.
Nespresso Machine Cleaning
The Nespresso machine needs cleaning once a month. It is not a lengthy process. Here are some simple steps to clean your Nespresso machine (Nespresso Vertuo, Vertuo Next, Evoluo, and VertuoPlus).
- Open the head of your Nespresso machine.
- Insert a used coffee capsule.
- Damp a paper towel in hot water and gently wipe the machine’s inside. Also, wipe the inside of the head and where you place the capsule.
- Take out the water tank. Empty and clean the water tank and fill it with fresh water.
- Next, empty the capsule holder and wash it inside with cold water.
- Clean the cup holder with water as well.
- Now, close the head of the machine and bring the lever handle to the lock position.
- Push the cleaning button 3 times in 2 seconds. The cleaning cycle will start. The water will flow through the pipes and deep clean the machine.
- Wait for 5 minutes for the cleaning process to end.
Check out our detailed guide to cleaning a Nespresso machine like a pro.
Nespresso Machine Descaling
Water helps to brew coffee. The water tank in the coffee machine provides water during the brewing process.
However, minerals in the water, especially calcium carbonate, block the waterline of the Nespresso machine. In that situation, Nespresso blinks orange light 3 times in a second. To fix this problem, a descaling procedure is used.
We will recommend you use a Nespresso descaling kit for this purpose. The kit will consist of all the equipment you’ll use for the descaling procedure.
Here you can get detailed information on Nespresso Descaling.
Following are simple steps to descale your coffee brewer.
- Grab your descaling kit. If you do not have it, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water to descale your Nespresso machine. Pro-Tip: Prepare a descaling solution by adding equal amounts of vinegar and water.
- Empty the drip tray and clean all the coffee grounds from it.
- Pour the descaling solution or descaling agent into the water reservoir of the coffee maker.
- Place a 14oz or more container under the coffee spout.
- Turn on the machine.
- Once the descaling mode is over, pour fresh water into the water tank and start the machine again.
- Repeat step 5 two to three times and rinse out.
Your Nespresso machine is successfully descaled and is back in the working position.
Nespresso Factory Reset
Factory reset settings are usually not needed occasionally. However, it is compulsory to factory reset your coffee machine when it is giving an error signal; else it will not work. Also, it will solve the problem of blinking orange light.
Moreover, when the machine is not brewing coffee perfectly after the descaling mode, a factory reset is necessary.
Factory resetting your coffee machine will reset all the customized settings and restore its default settings. Factory resetting is the same for all the models of the Nespresso machine. So, the following are the steps to do so.
- Open the head of the Nespresso machine and insert a used coffee capsule.
- Close the head.
- Bring the handle to the unlock position.
- Push the button 5 times in 3 seconds.
- An orange light will blink 5 times, and then there will be steady white light.
You have successfully done the factory reset of your coffee machine.
For Nespresso Vertuo Next Owners: Get alerts with Nespresso App
Vertuo Next is the only model of Nespresso which has a Bluetooth feature. With this feature, you can connect your smartphone to your coffee machine and get alerts. The Nespresso app alerts you when the light starts flashing and helps you figure out the cause behind it. Here are some of the common errors.
- Blocked Brewing unit
- Descaling cycle needed
- Unrecognized capsule
- Empty and clean the water tank
- Unlocked machine
- Electronic error
- Eject the previous coffee capsule
Further, we will help you connect your Nespresso Next with the smartphone via a Bluetooth connection.
How to connect Nespresso Next with Bluetooth?
To get real-time alerts from your Nespresso Vertuo Next machine, you need to connect it with Bluetooth. Here are simple steps to connect your smartphone with the Nespresso machine.
- Download the Nespresso application.
- Open the application. Make sure to keep your Bluetooth and wi-fi network on.
- Place your smartphone on the Nespresso machine.
- Click on the machine icon on the top right corner of the screen.
- Flow the steps on the mobile screen.
- It will ask you to select the wi-fi network and add the password. Do so.
- After this, click the OK button, and a Bluetooth connection is made.
- “Connected” status will be displayed on the screen.
Final Thoughts
We hope you learned how to fix your Nespresso machine when it blinks an orange error or a red error. However, if the issue is still present, we recommend you to contact Nespresso support and get it checked.
Also, if you see any other blinking errors not listed here in this article, please let us know!
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