The Nespresso Orange Light
Espresso and Nespresso Vertuoline coffee makers come with built-in light-based alerts. If you see your Nespresso blinking orange light, it’s time to troubleshoot it. The Evoluo, Vertuo, and Vertuo next have an orange light, while the Vertuo Plus or VertuoPlus Deluxe usually have a red light.
This post discusses what different Nespresso blinking light error codes mean. It also outlines how to fix the machine. Let’s dig in!
Why is my Nespresso Blinking an Orange Light?
A few common Nespresso machine issues can cause it to flash an orange light. However, it would help first to learn how different Nespresso machines work.
How Does a Nespresso Machine Work?
The Original Line
The Original Line Nespresso espresso machines come with a unique design and setup. However, they all work similarly for the most part. You simply insert a suitable capsule into the Nespresso original machine and shut it.
The manufacturer has perforated the pod three times on the machine’s upper side. The moment you choose the size of your beverage, the machine pumps the right amount of water from the water tank into the capsule.
After that, the device pushes hot water into the capsule at high pressure until the wide, foil-covered side breaks produce rich espresso topped with crema. The capsule has a filter that ensures no coffee grounds get into your cup.
Cleaning it up is effortless, as you’ll learn later in this post. But, when you open the Nespresso machine to insert a new capsule, it immediately ejects the old one into a waste holder.
The Vertuo Line
Nespresso has made the new Vertuo Line Nespresso appliances easier to use. For instance, you don’t have to press a button to choose the size of your drink. On the other hand, each Vertuo capsule has a label and barcode.
When you close the machine after you’ve inserted the capsule, the brewer senses the barcode and then adjusts the brewing conditions to suit that specific coffee. In addition, its extraction system is significantly different from the Original Nespresso, which uses pressure-based technology.
The Vertuo Nespresso pods have a dome shape different from the Original Line Nespresso capsules, which have cup-like forms. Moreover, the Vertuo Line coffee maker pushes hot water onto the pod’s flat top during brewing.
Then, it spins the pod at 7000 revolutions per minute, completely inculcating the water and ground coffee beans. The centrifugal force also helps to subsequently escape through a succession of punctures around the edge of the capsule.
The centrifuge mechanism can help you produce up to 14 ounces (398 milliliters). Additionally, you’ll enjoy a better crema coating. With that in mind, you can now look at what orange flashing light Nespresso means.
You should examine the pattern of the Nespresso blinking orange light to determine the kind of troubleshooting you need. There are seven Nespresso orange light error codes for the Vertuo Next, Vertuo, and Evoluo coffee makers. The meaning of the many flashing orange light patterns varies:
| Nespresso Blinking Orange Light Pattern | Meaning |
| Blinks twice per second | It needs cleaning |
| Blinks thrice per second | It needs emptying or descaling |
| Pulses (fades OFF, then ON) | It is cooling down after overheating |
| Blinks two times for one second, then long OFF | Machine error |
| On for one and a half seconds, OFF for half a second | The water tank is empty |
| Blinks five times in ten seconds | Reset to factory settings |
| Blinks orange then white for three seconds | You need to descale it urgently |
How to Fix Nespresso Orange Light Blinking Problems
By now, you know what different Nespresso orange blinking light means; it’s time to find out how to fix the errors. Here are the steps to follow to fix the various errors:
How To Fix Blinking Orange Twice
Suppose your Nespresso blinks orange two times; it needs cleaning. Use this procedure to clean the Nespresso blinking orange light twice:
- Open the Nespresso’s head to remove any used capsules. Dampen a paper towel with hot water and softly rub it around the piece that spins on the open head underside. In addition, carefully mop the area around where the coffee capsules sit.
- Empty the water tank before rinsing it. Fill it with fresh water.
- Put a 14 -fluid ounce (398 milliliters) or larger mug underneath the coffee spout after cleaning the cup support.
- Take the capsule container out and empty it. After you’ve rinsed it with cold water, return it.
- Close the head and turn it left to put it in the lock position.
- Start the cleaning cycle by pressing the button thrice within two seconds. The Nespresso will start flashing, and water will begin flowing within two minutes. Nespresso cleaning mode will continue for around five minutes as the Nespresso pumps through three water cycles.
If it continues to blink after this, try pressing the button for at least seven seconds. After that, if it is still flashing, descale it. If the flashing continues, the best way to deal with Nespresso blinking orange light after descaling is to call Nespresso support.
How to Fix Blinking Orange Three Times
Suppose your Nespresso Vertuo is blinking thrice; troubleshooting requires you to descale it. Descaling mode helps remove mineral buildup from the water you use to brew coffee that is blocking water flow.
How often you descale your machine depends on how often you use it. Suppose you drink lots of coffee, you’ll have to descale it every three months or after every 300 capsules.
Remember, for this procedure; you need to buy a solution (Nespresso descaling liquid). Once you’ve bought your solution, follow these steps for descaling:
- Take the capsule container out and empty it. Remove the drip tray before emptying it.
- Pour in the tank clean water and the solution. Please follow the instructions on the solution container.
- Close the machine and lock it to turn it on. Let it heat up. You’ll know the appliance has heated up when the light stops flashing.
- Open the machine’s head and empty the used capsule. Close it, leaving the lever in an unlocked position towards the front.
- To enter into descaling mode, press and hold the button for at least seven seconds. The button blinks hastily when it is ready. After that, you have 45 seconds to start the next steps in the process.
- Rotate the handle left towards the lock sign, then turn it right to unlock it. Hold the button in the unlocked position for a minimum of seven seconds.
- Put a 34 fluid ounces (966 milliliters) container underneath the coffee outlet.
- Turn the handle to the left to lock the machine and start the descaling process. Push the button, and it will stop once the first phase ends.
- Empty the water tank and rinse it together with the cup support and drip tray.
- Add fresh water to the water tank and push the button to rinse.
- The machine has finished the descaling process if the light stops blinking and becomes stable.
- Allow the machine to sit and dry for around ten minutes.
How to Fix Pulsing Orange Light
If the orange flashing light Nespresso is pulsing, your machine needs to cool down. This usually happens after a lot of use. In this situation, please press the button for three seconds to turn off the espresso, then press it again to turn it on.
Please give it up to 60 minutes for the machine to cool down. If it is still pulsing after that, press and hold the button for at least seven seconds and check whether it stops.
How to Resolve Orange Light Blinking Rapidly Two Times, Followed By a Long Pause
Three different scenarios could cause the machine to flash this way, including
- During coffee preparation.
- During descaling, cleaning, or emptying.
- During programming volume.
If this happens when preparing your drink, ensure that you correctly insert a new capsule without any damage. After that, ensure you lock the machine. Suppose the orange light on Nespresso continues; insert a new coffee pod, lock, and press the button.
Suppose it happens during cleaning or descaling; ensure there is no capsule in the Nespresso and that you’ve locked it. Push and hold the knob for around three seconds to turn off the machine.
After that, push the button again to turn on the machine. If the orange light Nespresso is still there, unplug the appliance from the wall and wait for about ten seconds before you plug it in and turn it on.
On the other hand, if the error happens when you’re programming the water volume for your drink, ensure you’ve placed the pod correctly. If your machine does not stop blinking, please contact support.
Fixing Orange Light that is on for 1.5 Seconds and Off for 0.5 Seconds
Suppose your Vertuo flashes this way; it signifies that your water tank is low or empty. In this case, fill the water reservoir with clean water and press the button to start.
How to Fix Orange Light Blinking Five Times in Ten Seconds
If the orange light in Nespresso blinks rapidly, you need to perform a factory reset. Begin by opening the head and ejecting the capsule. Close the head and allow it to stay in the unlocked position.
Press the button five times within three seconds. You’ll know the reset is successful if it blinks slowly five times.
How to Fix Alternating Orange and White Blinking Light
When you get this alert, you can only use the brewer a few times before you have to descale it. Fortunately, you already know how to descale your Nespresso machine. Therefore, you shouldn’t have difficulties descaling your device when the time comes.
The Nespresso Cleaning Cycle Explained
Like other appliances; your Nespresso machine requires some maintenance. One of the maintenance practices you should do is regular cleaning to ensure it functions optimally. Therefore, if you’ve not been cleaning your coffee maker, you better start ASAP!
If you don’t know how to clean the Nespresso Vertuo machine, this section will help you with that. Remember, experts advise you do the cleaning monthly to ensure it gives you fresh-tasting coffee for a while.
What You Need
- A 32 – ounce (909-milliliter) water container
- Dish soap
Process
- Clean and rinse the water tank
Start by removing the water tank and emptying it into the sink. Hand wash the tank using a mild dish detergent, ensuring you remove all suds. After that, rinse it thoroughly before refilling it with fresh drinking water. Lock the clean and full water tank back to its place.
- Clean the capsule container
If the machine still has evidence of yesterday’s coffee, lift the appliance’s top and remove the used Nespresso capsule. After that, remove the capsule container and hand wash it with water and dish detergent. Once it is sparkling clean, please put it back in its place.
- Wash the drip tray
First, remove the drip tray and wash it with warm water and soap. If it has any buildup, you can scrub it away. After that, rinse it with warm water and allow it to air dry. Once it is dry, put it back in its proper position.
- Heat up the machine
When you heat up the Nespresso machine, the light will go from blinking to stable.
- Run the cleaning process
When the light on the machine becomes steady white, put a container large enough to hold one liter of water on the cup tray. After that, press the knob on the machine thrice in quick succession within two seconds.
The cleaning process will then start. After two minutes, water will start coming out of the coffee outlet. The entire rinse takes around seven minutes.
Apart from these maintenance cleaning practices, there are some of your Nespresso machine parts that you should clean daily. For example, remove the drip tray from the machine every day and wash it.
The other parts you should wash daily include the water tank and capsule container. Besides that, it is best to wipe the capsule detector lens using a soft cloth. It is not necessary to use soap or water.
This process only involves wiping away smudges from the lens. The lens is inside the machine, so you’ll have to remove the maintenance module attached to the drip tray.
In addition, you also have to wipe down the external parts regularly. You can do this several times a week using a clean damp cloth. Ensure you wipe away any buildup on the coffee outlet. Additionally, wipe the inside walls and outside edges where the capsule holder fits.
Finally, it is essential to avoid using strong or abrasive cleaners when cleaning the Nespresso machine. Consider using mild and odorless detergents. Also, avoid using sponges when cleaning your device; only use soft cloths. Never immerse the espresso parts in water or any other liquid.
Problems – Nespresso Ain’t One!
Why is my Nespresso blinking orange? By now, you know that the answer to this question varies. Sometimes, simply resetting it like many other electrical equipment will get it working optimally again.
Nonetheless, once you examine the pattern of the orange flashing light Nespresso, you can use the details shared in this post to determine your course of action. Whether it’s how to clean Nespresso Vertuo or descale it, nothing can overwhelm you, right? Now go make some coffee!