The light on the Nespresso machines will occasionally begin blinking in different ways, and it can be difficult to decipher what it might indicate.
This guide will take you through the most common reasons your machine might begin blinking orange light and offer tips on solving the issues.
It will also outline the best practices to ensure your Nespresso machine doesn’t run into issues often.
Understanding The Blinking Lights On Nespresso Original Machines
There are several types of Nespresso Original machines. [1] They are:
- The Essenza Mini (replacement for the Inissia – which is still available to purchase on the Nespresso official website [2]
- CitiZ
- Pixie
- Inissia
- Creatista Pro
- Creatista Plus
- Lattissima One
- Lattissima Pro
- Gran Lattissima
On each of these Nespresso coffee machines, there are three types of orange light status, which is designed to alert you to either a problem or, more commonly, the status of the machine.
Blink slowly and steadily
The first of these occurs as the appliance heats up. Depending on the model, this will take between 25 and 40 seconds. As the machine heats, the lights will blink slowly and steadily. Finally, when the machine is at the correct temperature, the blinking light will become continuous, meaning the device can be used.
Blink quickly and steadily
The second status concerns descaling mode, which sees the lights blink quickly and steadily. To exit the descaling mode, hold both buttons simultaneously for five to six seconds. If the lights blink this way, the device may also be overheated. In that case, allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes before using it again.
Fast, Triple-flashing
The last occurrence of lights blinking will see them do so in a fast, triple-flashing manner. This is the one that should cause the most concern as it indicates an electrical fault in the machine. If that happens, it is best to contact Nespresso customer service for further instructions.
Orange Light Blinking On Nespresso Vertuo Machine
Unlike the Original machines, Nespresso Vertuo machines have more complex combinations of blinking lights. [3] However, most are easy to fix.
Also read the differences between Nespresso original and Vertuo here.
Orange Light Blinking (Twice Per Second) Quickly
Your Nespresso blinking orange light twice per second means your machine is ready for a thorough cleaning. Thankfully, this is easy to carry out.
How To Fix:
- Empty the water tank and clean both it and the lid. Refill with fresh water to the maximum level and lock back in place.
- Clean the cup support, place it back in position and add a 1L jug.
- Empty and rinse the coffee pod container.
- Close the machine head and lock it into position.
- Turn on the machine and allow it to heat. The blinking should now have stopped.
- Clean the machine by pushing the button three times in two seconds. The orange light will blink, meaning the cleaning cycle has started. Water may take up to two minutes to emerge, while the cycle should complete in five minutes. The light should turn steady green at that point, meaning the machine is ready to brew.
Orange Light Blinking Quickly (Three Times Per Second)
If the machine’s orange light blinks three times per second, you need to descale the Nespresso machine.
How To Fix:
- Open the machine head and eject the capsule.
- Empty used coffee capsules from the capsule holder and the water from the tank.
- Add fresh water to the tank and Nespresso descaling agent.
- Place a 1L container below the coffee spout.
- Turn on the machine.
- Refer to the manual for your specific model, then begin the descaling process.
- Push the button to begin descaling. It will stop automatically when complete.
- Thoroughly wash the cup support and water tank.
- Refill the tank with fresh water and lock it in place.
- Push the button the rinse your machine.
- Exit the descaling mode and wait 10 minutes before using the machine.
Orange Light On For 1.5 Seconds Then Off For 0.5 Seconds
This is one of the more simple fixes. If the water level is empty, simply rinse it to remove any build-up, then refill it, attach it to the machine and the issue should be fixed.
Orange And White Light Blinking Alternately Three Times And Then Steady On
This is another issue related to descaling. If you see this blinking light pattern, the machine can only be operated a few more times before descaling becomes necessary. To do so, follow the steps in the previous section.
If the problem persists, it could indicate a fault with the heating element, and you should refer to customer support.
Flashing Orange Light Five Times In 10 Seconds
If the orange light blinks five times in 10 seconds, your machine may require a factory reset. Close the machine head after removing the capsule, and leave the lever unlocked. Push the button five times within three seconds to complete the Nespresso factory reset.
Orange Light Pulsing Down: Fading To OFF, Then ON
This combination is an indicator that the machine is cooling after overheating.
Pulsing orange light is normal if you’ve brewed several cups of coffee one after another. Turn off the machine, unplug it and open the machine head. Allow around 30 minutes, and the machine will be ready to use.
Orange Light Blinking Rapidly Twice, Then Long OFF
This can indicate a fault with the machine that hasn’t been determined but could be capsule or descaling-related. Unplug the machine, wait 30 seconds and switch it back on.
That should hopefully fix the issue. If it doesn’t, check for other capsule blockages and ensure the Nespresso machine is descaled and cleaned. If it still doesn’t work, call customer support for further assistance.
Orange Light Blinking Rapidly
This means the capsule container is full and needs emptying.
Other Blinking Alerts
There are several other alerts where the light may blink. Here are the most common.
- White slowly blinking light – this indicates the machine is heating up.
- Continuous white light – the machine is ready to use.
- White, steadily blinking light – coffee is being prepared.
- Orange light blinks twice, then a long white light – this indicates a user error.
Prevention and Maintenance Tips
As the above explanations show, some of the reasons for a blinking light are easy to fix. However, performing proper maintenance and taking preventive measures is essential to avoid issues with your Nespresso machine. The following sections reveal helpful tips for ensuring the health of your machine.
Frequent Descaling
It is easy to forget or avoid descaling your Nespresso machine. However, doing it frequently will keep it in good working condition because the mineral build-up that can hinder its performance will be removed. Most manufacturers recommend descaling every three to six months or after about 300 uses.
To descale your machine, check the guide above, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and use a descaling solution for Nespresso machines.
Regular Cleaning
Like descaling, regularly cleaning your machine will not only keep your machine working well and avoid unwanted and unexpected orange lights, you’ll also have better-quality coffee. Make sure you regularly clean each of the following:
- Water tank: rinse with hot water and soap, dry it and then refill it with fresh water.
- Capsule container and drip tray: empty, rinse, and clean them regularly.
- Machine head: open the machine head to eject any old capsules and use a soft brush to remove grounds from the barcode scanner to prevent blockages.
As long as you carry out the above tasks regularly, most issues with your Nespresso machine can be avoided.
Proper Storage
Proper storage of your Nespresso machine is essential for its longevity and preventing problems. Of course, even with proper storage, things can occasionally go wrong with the machine, but to ensure these are kept to a minimum, store your machine in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
Additionally, unplug the machine when it is not in use and wind the power cord around its designated storage area to prevent damage to the cord.
By following these straightforward prevention and maintenance tips, you can keep your Nespresso machine in excellent working condition and avoid issues related to blinking orange lights.
Conclusion
If you have a Nespresso machine, particularly a Vertuo model, there are several reasons why its light may begin blinking.
Thankfully, as I have explained in this guide, the reason is usually straightforward, and there is an easy fix for the issue.
Even when the issue is more complex, the machine will usually be back up and running after a few simple steps so you can continue enjoying delicious and convenient coffee.
Even better, though, is to prevent the issue from arising at all, and hopefully, with the help of this article, you will have all the tools you need to resolve issues indicated by a blinking light on your Nespresso machine or, even better, prevent it happening in the first place!
References:
[1] https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/original-coffee-machines
