I opened the top and took the little gasket off that is around the top needle. I also tried to clean that needle with a toothpick. I kept the gasket off and didn't put in a K-cup, hit brew and it worked! I ran one more the same way and my machine ran perfectly. Finally I need a cup of coffee. The pump struggled at the end when it gives the last push and refills itself but i got a normal size cup of coffee and everything else sounds normal.