Why won't my Keurig brew a full cup?

Some things I have found as I cruised the internet looking for a solution to this problem:

1) Most commonly, the upper puncture needle becomes clogged. This needle pierces the top "paper" in the center and pushes hot water into the K-cup. The solution is to run an unfolded paper clip up each of the three channels in the needle to clear the blockage.

2) Also referenced is a clogged lower puncture needle. This needle puts a hole in the edge of the plastic "cup" to provide a drain where brewed coffee can exit the K-cup.

3) Calcium build-up in the lines can restrict flow. Periodic descaling with vinegar is the fix for this build-up. Run several reservoirs full of plain water to purge the system of residual vinegar.

4) The exit from the water reservoir may be clogged. Taking the plate off the bottom gives access to the drain and filter. It is easily done just, need a screwdriver and a pair of pliers to take a pinch clamp off tubing.

5) It has been reported that a resounding blow or two to an upside down Keurig has started good flow.

6) Air pressure from an air pump drives the hot water out of the boiler, through the K-cup and into your coffee cup. A failing air pump can deliver a cup less full. There is a very simple way to lubricate the diaphragms in the air pump with vegetable oil. Replacing the air pump is not so simple and requires significant disassembly of your Keurig. https://youtu.be/2A_Rq1jxgwc

The problem is the k cups. Too much coffee and they plug, too fine of grind and they plug. I bought a new machine and still had the same problems. Solution punch 4 or 5 holes in the kcup bottom and brew away. We started getting this problem from time to time, some k cups are worse than others, but the holes always fix it. And if your machine is old try some of the other tips first, because sometimes it is them.

Someone gave me a Keurig when they moved out of the place I moved into is very loud and it has been giving me less than half of the amount of coffee that I asked for. I have tried each and every one of these things that did not require disassembly as I am very non Technical and afraid to take it apart and not be able to reassemble. I am a sixty-year-old very arthritic person who always wanted a Keurig but will not and cannot spend the money. I took my little four cup regular coffee out from under the sink and I will either give this away to someone who wants to play with it or just donate it. So glad I didn't pay for this thing. But my daughter a tiny little imitation one for her camper for $8 at a yard sale a few years ago and it works beautifully . Keurig is just a name

None of these solutions worked. I have shaken, burped, paperclipped, and vinegared to zero avail. My favorite bit of adding insult to injury was the answer to “simply remove the bottom tray with a screwdriver” when two of the screws require a weird hexagonal tool that normal people don’t have. Ridiculous. Anyways, I’m kind of relieved that we can go back to using our old coffee pot. It makes way better coffee anyway.

My 2-year-old Keurig 2.0 would not fill a cup. For example, I would get maybe 1-2 ounces when I asked for 12 ounces. After thoroughly descaling and trying multiple solutions found on various sites (including “burping” as mentioned on this site), I called Keurig. After going through their troubleshooting steps, they said the next step was to send me a new water reservoir, which they did for free. I didn’t think it would help, but that actually solved the problem. It’s working perfectly now.

My Keurig is 3 years old and the same thing has happened to me. I burped the Keurig a few times and then dissolved a denture tablet in a glass of water and poured that into the reservoir and ran it through. The water pressure was instantly returned and a disgusting amount of coffee grounds came out. My Keurig is good as new!

I have a classic single serve with a 46 oz. reservoir tank. I did the paper clip, the vinegar, the burp, and still not enough water came out for a cup. I did not want to take the bottom off the unit. Finally I removed the tank and saw the three screws holding a screen filter in the bottom of the tank. I have small hands and probably could have gotten this apart, but I questioned the reassembly. I turned the tank over and saw this was a spring loaded release from the tank to the machine. Another reason not to take it apart. I pushed in the spring load and ran water through the tank, reversing the flow of water. When I held the tank up to the light I could see some of the debre had come lose. I kept this up until the majority of the screen was clear. I now get a full cup and the machine no longer sounds like Eeyore as it pumps water. Not sure I would run a denture table through the machine, but I might use it as a stand alone in the tank if this persists.

No need to poke and prod and bang the machine, first you'll do way better to remove the rubber pieces on the two needles, if anything is clogged it's the little tiny screen inside the machine under your water resivoir but a tooth brush, vinegar CLR can do that, best bet, find something fits over that little whole that lets the water in block the return and blow through that ##&&% till you get $@$* coming out, then run a few resivoir if vinegar, lemon juice is great and I add salt cause it's does science $@$* to water

You might have scale buildup, clogged needles, or dirty water valves if your Keurig does not brew a full cup.

You may have a software issue or an electrical component failure if your machine has been properly cleaned.

Check out this article for detailed instructions.

Same problem, 2oz when wanting 12. Took unit apart. When I take pump out of its normal upright position it pumps a full cup. When I put pump back in its snap in location, 2oz.