When you first buy a Nespresso machine, it can feel quite confusing.
One of the most typical issues with a Nespresso machine is a continuously Nespresso blinking orange light. This light, like all others, has a purpose.
Nespresso machines have an orange blinking light to alert you to a variety of difficulties, making it difficult to determine what the machine is communicating. The orange light typically indicates that the water reservoir needs to be replaced or that the capsule container is full.

Nespresso may also blink orange for other causes, which I will discuss more. Continue reading to discover the most common causes of your Nespresso machine blinking orange and how to fix it.
What is a Nespresso Machine?
When you first buy a Nespresso machine, it can feel quite confusing.
One of the most typical issues with a Nespresso machine is a continuously blinking orange light. This light, like all others, has a purpose.
Nespresso machines have an orange blinking light to alert you to a variety of difficulties, making it difficult to determine what the machine is communicating. The orange light typically indicates that the water reservoir needs to be replaced or that the capsule container is full.
Nespresso may also blink orange for other causes, which I will discuss more. Continue reading to discover the most common causes of your Nespresso machine blinking orange and how to fix it.
Different types of Nespresso Machines and Their Signal Alerts
Before we go into how to fix a Nespresso machine that is blinking orange, let’s first determine which Nespresso machine you have and whether you should be reading this article!
So straightforward, right?! We don’t want to waste your time, so…
Nespresso machines are divided into two lines: OriginalLine and VertuoLine. The primary distinction between these two lines is that the VertuoLine employs centrifugal brewing, whilst the OriginalLine does not.
The VerutoLine, which was launched in 2014, brews coffee with a pod that spins at 7000 rotations per minute! This results in a more flavorful and rich cup of coffee.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure which line your machine belongs to! We’ll assist you in figuring things out.

OriginalLine Machine
As the name indicates, the OriginalLine machines use the original Nespresso brewing system. When a capsule is entered into the machine, hot water at high pressure is pumped into the capsule until the foil bottom busts and espresso is produced.
OriginalLine machines offer an automatic shut-off mechanism that shuts down the machine after nine minutes of inactivity. If you unplug the machine, it will remain unplugged until you plug it back in.
This machine features a green and an orange light that blinks. The green light indicates that the machine is turned on, while the orange light indicates that there is an issue with the machine.
VertuoLine machine
To make coffee and espresso, the VertoLine machines utilize a novel technique based on centrifugal technology. A capsule is placed in the machine, and the machine scans and reads a barcode on the capsule to determine how that particular capsule should be brewed.
Hot water runs into the capsule in these newer machines while it spins at up to 7000 rpm, blending the coffee and water. The VertoLine machines can make espresso as well as larger mugs of drip-style coffee, both topped with a rich crema. VertuoLine machines include Vertuo, Vertuo Plus, and Vertuo Next.
VertuoLine machines differ from OriginalLine machines in appearance and use a different type of coffee pod.
This machine has two blinking lights, one green, and one orange. The green light indicates that the machine is turned on, while the orange light indicates that there is an issue with the machine.
Why Is My Nespresso machine Blinking Orange?
To inform the user of what is going on, Nespresso coffee machines utilize flashing lights of various colors. Is it getting hot? Do you require descaling? Is there a flaw or an error?
In fact, the series of orange blinks is intended to inform the user of the nature of the problem. The actual problem message differs from machine to machine, however, we can conclude from the Nespresso that the blinking orange light is caused by the following:
- The water reservoir is empty
- The capsule container needs to be emptied
- The machine needs to be descaled
- The machine is experiencing an error

The water reservoir is empty
One of the major causes of a blinking orange light is an empty water reservoir. While this issue may appear clear at first glance, it is frequently overlooked.
This is especially true if you do not use your Nespresso on a daily basis.
The most important thing to check is how the machine blinks. While a flickering orange light indicates many of Nespresso’s difficulties, the light will blink at different speeds and in different patterns depending on the problem.
When the water reservoir has to be refilled, the light will usually alternate between staying on for a few seconds and then turning off for another. This pattern will be repeated indefinitely.
Of course, it takes some practice before you truly understand what the patterns mean.
Yet, with practice, you’ll be an expert at understanding your Nespresso machine’s blinking orange lights.
How to solve this problem
The simplest solution is an empty water reservoir. To resolve this issue, simply inspect your water tank and refill it as needed.
Pull the water reservoir upwards and out of the machine to remove it. In all honesty, the water reservoirs with Nespresso can be a little more difficult to figure out than those with Keurig.
Reset the machine after refilling the water tank to see if the orange light has gone out or changed patterns. Most of the time, the light will turn off, but in other circumstances, multiple signals are transmitted at the same time.
The capsule container needs to be emptied
Nespresso machines differ from conventional coffee machines in that they include an additional container into which empty capsules are placed after use:
The Nespresso Vertuo machine’s capsule container.
This is a useful Nespresso feature, however, it’s easy to forget to empty the capsule.
Nespresso has a black capsule holder to conceal rubbish. While attractive, it’s all too simple to ignore the container until the machine stops working entirely.
This is why Nespresso also included a signal for it.
The capsule container pattern resembles a fast-blinking orange light – usually three blinks per second.
The machine will blink quickly, then pause and blink again.
This signal indicates a full capsule container, but it could also mean that the machine needs to be descaled.
Descaling takes much longer, and I’ll explain why in a moment.
For the time being, let’s concentrate on how to empty the capsule container.

How to solve this problem
The capsule container on a Nespresso is really simple to empty.
On the machine’s top, there will be a release button that will allow you to remove the container, dump it, and replace it.
The button’s exact location changes from machine to machine. The majority of Nespresso machines have it on the top, although some may have it on the side or even the back.
Examine the light again once the computer has been emptied. If it continues to blink in the same pattern, the machine needs to be descaled.
Let’s look at what this means and how we can solve it:
The machine needs to be descaled
At some point, all coffee machines must be descaled. This is usually done every six months or so, but depending on how regularly you use your Nespresso, it may need to be done more frequently.
Descaling isn’t a very popular idea, so let’s take a moment to define it.
All coffee makers will begin to accumulate hard deposits of various minerals within the unit over time.
Calcium and lime deposits are examples of this. The majority of this accumulation is caused by the water cycling through the unit.
This is largely unavoidable, especially if you use sink water.
You can reduce the accumulation by only running filtered water through your machine, but it will still need to be descaled on a regular basis because these minerals are present in all water.
The descaling procedure takes around twenty minutes and necessitates the use of additional materials, usually a descaling solution:
The descaling solution will circulate through the machine, removing the majority of mineral deposits.
While putting your system through this procedure can be aggravating, you will notice that it performs much more smoothly afterward.
In addition to the descaling operation, the machine may need to be cleaned.
For the time being, let’s focus on the descaling procedure:
How to solve this problem
Descaling a Nespresso machine is rather straightforward, considering its appearance. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need to do:
- Check that the machine is turned on. The descaling solution will be processed by the machine in the same way that coffee is processed.
- Take out all of the containers and trays. The capsule container, drip tray, and any additional capsules in the machine are all included.
- With a cup, prepare the machine. A container of some kind should be placed behind the coffee spout. This is due to the solution erupting out of the coffee spout after passing through the machine. You don’t want a descaling solution all over your counters and flooring.
- Fill your tank with water. Mix the descaling solution with roughly sixteen ounces of water. Reading the directions will tell you how much descaling solution to use.
- Allow the machine to heat up. This normally takes around five minutes.
The next steps will differ depending on the machine. You may need to read the manufacturer’s instructions for your individual Nespresso, but in general, you’ll need to do the following:
- To begin the descaling process, press the top two or three buttons at the same time. You must keep them pressed for a few seconds. The number of buttons you press is determined by the machine.
- Check for signs that the descaling process has started. This is usually signaled by the lights on the machine’s top blinking rapidly.
- Re-run the descaling solution through the machine. This will assure the removal of all mineral deposits.
- Rinse the machine well. Finally, run clean water through the machine. Repeat the rinse cycle until the water has been thoroughly cleaned.
- Deactivate the descaling mode. This can be accomplished in the same manner as before, by hitting both or all three buttons on the top of your machine.

The machine is experiencing an error
Errors with Nespresso machines can occur for a variety of reasons. They, like other devices, can have electrical issues.
It could also mean that the system did not properly reboot the last time it was turned on.
When an issue occurs on the machine, it is generally signified by blinking and then steady orange light.
Typically, the light will cycle between two quick blinks and then remain stable for a few seconds.
It appears that Nespresso has a separate pattern for each difficulty, which is probably correct.
The good news is that the error blinking is unique to this issue. Identifying it should be quite simple after you’ve learned what it looks like.
Let’s look at how to repair the machine when it has a problem:
How to solve this problem
Typically, resetting a Nespresso machine is all that is required to resolve a problem.
A simple unplugging and replugging of the machine will almost always resolve the issue. Nevertheless, it is not always this simple when it comes to machine failures.
This is one of the few solutions that cannot always be accomplished on its own.
If the light continues to flash after resetting the machine, you may need to send your Nespresso in for a replacement.
But, you can try running a capsule through it first. In many cases, even if the machine is malfunctioning, it will still create a cup of coffee.
However, the issue should be solved at some time.
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source: https://www.nespresso.com/ie/machine-assistance
Conclusion
There are several reasons why Nespresso machines may be blinking orange.
The empty water reservoir is one of the most common causes of your Nespresso glowing orange.
This is often indicated by the machine blinking briefly and then pausing.
If the capsule container has to be emptied or the machine needs to be descaled, it will blink orange. In these circumstances, the light will usually flicker quickly and then pause.
The final reason it may blink is if there is an error.
The majority of them are simple repairs, but some may necessitate additional expertise.
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