My Nespresso CS100 coffee machine states "push a button" and all lights flash. If I press a button, the machine does nothing but empty water directly into the drip tray from below. It then does the same again. Turning on and off changes nothing. Nothing is blocked in the capsule container.

SOURCE: Brand New Nespresso Essenza just stopped working..

If you just bought it you should return it immediately and try another.

SOURCE: Nespresso machine does not punch hole on the capsules after close

This problem is most likely being caused by air being trapped in the system. To fix this, please follow the following steps: -

- Turn on the Machine, ensuring there is water in the tank
- Wait until the light stops flashing and the machine is ready for use
- Lift the silver lever on top of the machine into the upright position
- Press the coffee button on your machine
- Push the silver lever back, away from you, and hold it in this position for 3 seconds
- Press the coffee button again to stop the water flow

This procedure releases the air blockage in the system and your machine should function normally again.
(from Nespresso Club)

SOURCE: Flashing red light. Nespresso Citiz & milk coffee machine.

problem is overheating at a single point in the bottom of the milk container. Try cleaning the milk residue after each time you use it and the flashing red light disappears. This is a design fault. Nespresso are happy to keep marketing the Citiz but there is no fix - so the Nespresso "mess free" coffee machine is a bunch of flannel - good coffee all the same!

SOURCE: My nespresso machine is not making coffee once

i'm having the same problem. it makes a sort of grinding noise but no coffee comes out.

SOURCE: with our nespresso machine, when you place the

-the short term solution-
1. take your affected capsule. set it on its un-punctured/un-perforated bottom (the thin foil surface) on a flat surface. the three puncture holes should be facing upward on the top of the capsule. by the way, if you shake the capsule you should hear the grounds sound dry as if the capsule was new.

2. find a thin small rubber band. size-wise, ideally, the rubber band will fit loosely around your thumb; with a very small gap between the rubber and your thumb.

3. put the rubber band around the collar of the capsule. the band should be put over the top of the capsule and pushed down until it stops flush against the flange (rim). if the band is correctly placed, the band will be just 1mm flat inside the rolled bare aluminum edge (rim).

4. insert the capsule in your citiz machine as usual. optional: you can orient one of the puncture holes at 12 o'clock position (top dead center) during the insertion process. this time, it will work. you will find the capsule will eject cleanly with the rubber band intact.

5. save the rubber band.


-which machines does this apply to?-
this is a common problem with nespresso machines introduced after 2010, specifically the citiz. i have not seen this problem on the pixie, yet. i would expect this issue on the lattissima plus.
i am assuming that the machine is otherwise functioning properly: meaning that the machine does not have an issue with the water pump, excessive scaling deposits restricting water flow, or some other major mechanical part.
-why is this happening?-
look at the capsule, the post-2010 machines bite new slightly rectangular indentations on the capsule around the top edge of the wall. this is new. nepresso changed the insertion mechanism in response to competitors bringing non-nespresso branded capsules to market: Douwe Egberts/Sara Lee "L'or expressO", Caffe Vergnana "ESPRESSO", etc.
this new insertion mechanism was supposed to thwart knockoff capsules, instead it is unintentionally thwarting your "real" nespresso capsule. the injector needles are not piercing correctly all the way. the injectors poorly lodge: deep enough to make puncture holes but not deep enough to allow water to flow freely into the espresso grounds compartment.
two things can happen:
1. the pressure release valve, inside the brewing chamber which prevents an explosion occurring if the coffee exhaust path becomes blocked, is activated and hot water overflows into your used capsule basket.
2. the hot water flows outside and around the capsule and into your cup as clear hot water.
-what do i do long term?-
contact nepresso. get your machine repaired or replaced. this is a factory manufacturing defect that has nothing to do with you, wear, use, or hard water. refuse to pay the $125 repair fee. demand that they fix the machine free of charge. they will send you a loaner in a plastic shipping crate to use while your is being fixed. you should not have to suffer without espresso or waste legitimately purchased capsules just because nespresso is in a legal fight capsule copycats. this is not your fault.