Keurig Burp and Slap – Air Pump Restart

We suggest that you try what we call the Keurig burp and slap in many of our solutions to Keurig issues. With some problems in Keurig brewers, this simple step can help get the machine back working again, if only temporarily.

What we are trying to do is get the air pump back into action. It has perhaps become clogged with limescale build-up inside; perhaps some rust has formed in the pump, slowing its operation, or some other issue is disrupting the signals between it and the main power board. The photo below shows the air pump, and it’s the long silver cylinder on the right, bolted to the side of the frame. The picture below is from our B60 (usually in bits as we work on new material).

The insides of a B60 Keurig brewer

Do note that this approach doesn’t always work, and the main reason will be with the pump you are trying to kick back into action. It could be the fault with the pump is nothing to do with a loose connection, the deposit buildup doesn’t dislodge or isn’t there, or the pump has failed, and a new one is required.

However, before we get to replacing any pump, you might like to try these easy steps. In our little demonstration below, we are using our new K550 Keurig 2.0 brewer. We would use our trusty B60, but she is in bits as we have worked on other repair guides. It takes a little while to put her back together again.

Step 1

Turn the Keurig off and then unplug it from the wall. We don’t want any little surprises.

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Step 2

Remove the water reservoir and drip tray (if they are detachable). We don’t want them being damaged or dropping off.

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Step 3

To burp the Keurig, apply a firm slap to its side, halfway up where the reservoir connects to the body. You want to be holding on to the other side of the Keurig, so you don’t knock it over. I know we haven’t in the photo, but I had to hold the camera with something. Do this two or three times.

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Step 4

Put the water reservoir back on, drip tray in and plug the brewer back in.

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Step 5

Put some water into the reservoir and try and run a water-only cycle.

If you are still experiencing the problem with your Keurig, use the Contact Us, and we’ll see if we can offer any advice.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • usaok59 ,

    Awesome. Worked like a charm. I thought I’d have to buy a new coffee maker (but not a Keurig!) Thank you so much.

    • You are very welcome. Really pleased it worked for you. Always like hearing the success stories too. Thanks 🙂

    • Really pleased to read it worked for you (and sorry for being “a bit late” in replying to your comment). It’s such a simple process, but it amazes us how often it gets a brewer working again.

  • Kimberly Thilges ,

    It worked! It actually worked!!

    • Excellent news Kimberly. Glad we could help. And thanks for posting a comment too.

  • Steve Waldhalm ,

    Amen! It worked! I slapped with the vigor of a movie villain… 3 times… it brought alarm to my wife and dog. When they recovered, so had my Keurig Elite 40.

    • Andrew Shephard ,

      Nice work Steve. Pleased the Elite 40 was back with us. Do you still have the brewer after all these years?

  • fahkir1 ,

    My wife called from her daughters house in VA, telling me the Kueric wouldn’t work. So, I put it in a search engine and it brought me here. I talked her thru this and it worked. Thanks.

  • anewpher ,

    Thank you Andrew Carter! Monday the coffee maker stopped working and Tuesday the transmission in my truck stopped working… 🙁 But your “Slap and Burp” fixed the coffee maker, so now I can at least enjoy a cup of coffee before I walk to work.

    Got any tips on fixing a transmission? 😎

  • Long Time Fed ,

    Worked like a charm, thanks!

    • Andrew Shephard ,

      Thanks for the comment, and pleased it worked. The simple solutions are sometimes the best.

  • Rich ,

    Worked Great thank you

    • Andrew Shephard ,

      Pleased we could help. And thanks for letting us know.

  • John ,

    Worked Great!!! Thank You

    • Andrew Shephard ,

      Hey John. Thanks for your comment; pleased it worked for you and you are back making the coffee. Andrew

  • Larry ,

    I tried this a few weeks ago, and it worked. This morning I had the same issue; it took a few more whacks and creative curse words, but it worked again. I suspect I will eventually have to either get a new unit or start taking apart this one and doing more intensive surgery on it. I also talked an elderly uncle through the process but still haven’t heard back if it worked or if he ended up buying a new unit. Many thanks from Michigan! ~~ “There is no life without water, because without water, there is no coffee”

    • Andrew Shephard ,

      Hey Larry. Thanks for letting us know. Pleased this worked for you and hopefully your Uncle will have success too. If the machine ever fully stops working have a go at the repairs, always really satisfying getting a brewer going again. And if we can help, let us know. All the best, Andrew

  • Dave ,

    I was skeptical when I read this. Being an engineer, this is not a usual method of repair. However, three slaps later, coffee was brewing.

    • Andrew Shephard ,

      Hi Dave. I know what you mean – but I am amazed how reliable the method is. Doesn’t always work, but does the trick so many times. Thanks for the comment. Regards, Andrew

  • Jennifer ,

    Works on a Duo! I did everything you suggested and gave it a few good slaps. Thanks so much! Funniest thing…burping your Keurig 😉 who would have thought?

  • Mari-Jo Hedman ,

    The slapping didn’t work, however, the lines were plugged even after descaling. The Keurig would start to brew and then shut off but if I just ran water through it, it was fine. I unplugged everything and then opened up the K-cup holder. I then took a bendable straw, put one end over the pick that pokes a hole into the cup and blew through the straw. It took several good bursts of air, but the clog finally dislodged and the Keurig is now working great!

  • Chris ,

    Worked great, also gave it a few good villain slaps! LOL
    VSlaps.
    The eleven year old Keurig still crankin’ out hits!

  • I used the “Will Smith” technique and had amazing results!

  • Stephen ,

    Thanks.
    Seemed like a dumb fix.
    “Just slap it around and it will work”

    But it did!

    Reminded me of the old movie “No time for Sergeants” when Andy Griffith would smack the radio.

    Thanks Again!!

  • Mary Plaus ,

    totally exasperated. I bought this K1500 last September and I still cant get this to work. I paid a fortune for this thing and I have to use a 6 cup and an 8 cup just to get a full cup of coffee. Im going to keep this until i cant get any water and then i am going to trash this and drink tea. Cant afford another $350 for a coffee maker that lasts 1 year.

  • dave ,

    F**ing Burp and Slap worked!!!!!!!!!