How to Reset Your Nespresso Vertuo the Right Way

You love your coffee, but one morning your Nespresso Vertuo stops working right. It blinks weird lights, makes odd noises, or won’t brew at all. You panic, but don’t worry. I’ve been there too, and I found the exact answer. To reset your Nespresso Vertuo, just press the button five times in three seconds while the machine is on. That’s it! In this post, I’ll walk you through the full guide in simple steps so your coffee machine works like new again.

Make Sure Your Machine Is Plugged In and Turned On

Before trying anything else, you need to check the most basic things. It may sound too simple, but many people skip this. If your Nespresso Vertuo is not plugged in right, or if the outlet isn’t working, it will not start or reset. Find a working outlet in your kitchen. Plug the machine in properly. Make sure it fits tightly into the socket. Now, look at the machine’s button. Press it once to turn the machine on. The light should start blinking. That blinking means it’s heating up. Wait until the light becomes steady. This means the machine is ready to use.

Some machines might take a little longer to heat, especially if it hasn’t been used in a while. Be patient. Don’t keep pressing the button again and again. That can confuse the machine.

If the light never stops blinking, it may be showing an error or there might be something wrong inside. But don’t worry — that’s why we are going to reset it. Once the machine is powered on and ready, only then should you move to the next part. Trying to reset when it’s off or blinking will not work.

Also, check the water tank. If it’s not seated properly or is empty, the machine may not behave normally. Fill it with clean water and place it properly in the back of the machine.

• Plug into a working outlet
• Press button once to turn it on
• Wait until the light becomes steady
• Make sure water tank is full and in place
• Don’t press buttons too fast or too often

Open and Close the Head to Clear Any Old Capsule

Now that the machine is turned on, check inside. Sometimes, an old capsule gets stuck or was not removed after your last brew. This can cause the machine to act strange. To fix this, lift the machine head. You will hear a soft pop sound. That’s normal. If there is a used capsule inside, take it out and throw it away.

Look inside the capsule holder. If you see any leftover coffee grounds or small pieces, clean them gently with a cloth or a soft brush. This keeps your machine working better. Do not use water or spray anything inside the head.

Once it’s clean, close the head again. Make sure it clicks properly. If it doesn’t lock into place, the machine won’t reset right.

Sometimes, just doing this simple open-and-close action helps the machine get back to normal. It’s like a little refresh before the full reset. Also, if the head doesn’t close, don’t force it. Look again to make sure nothing is blocking it.

Be sure to clean around the head area once in a while to avoid this problem in the future.

• Lift the machine head
• Remove any used capsule
• Clean capsule holder gently
• Do not force the head to close
• Lock the head properly

Press the Button Five Times Fast to Start Reset

This is the most important part. Now that the machine is on and ready, you can reset it. Look at the single button on your Nespresso Vertuo. This button is used for everything — turning on, brewing, and resetting. To reset your machine, press this button five times in quick speed within three seconds. Count in your head — “1, 2, 3, 4, 5” and press quickly.

If done correctly, the light will blink orange three times and then turn steady white again. This means the reset worked.

If nothing happens or the light keeps blinking weird, try again. But make sure to press exactly five times. Pressing too slow or too fast might not work. It may take a few tries if your timing is off.

Also, make sure you’re pressing the button while the machine is on and the head is closed. If the head is open or the machine is off, it won’t reset.

You don’t need to unplug the machine during this. Just keep it on and focus on the button press. This reset helps the machine forget the old errors or settings and return to default mode.

• Press the button five times fast
• Do it within three seconds
• Light blinks orange three times
• Wait for white steady light
• Try again if it didn’t work

Check Light Status to Make Sure Reset Worked

After you press the button five times and see the light blink orange three times, the machine should go back to normal mode. The light will turn steady white again, which means the reset was a success. But what if it doesn’t?

Check the light behavior. If it keeps blinking orange or red, then the reset did not work, or the machine may have a bigger problem like overheating or a blocked system. In this case, unplug it, wait for 10 minutes, and try the reset again after plugging it back in.

There are different light patterns on Nespresso Vertuo, and they can be confusing. But for this purpose, just remember:

• Steady white = normal working mode
• Blinking white = heating up
• Orange blinking = error or descaling needed
• Red blinking = more serious issue

If your light is now steady white, try making a cup of coffee. If it brews fine, then you’re good to go. If it doesn’t brew or the light acts up again, go back and repeat the reset.

• Look for steady white light
• Orange blinking means error
• Red blinking may mean a bigger problem
• Try to brew a test cup
• Unplug and retry if needed

Run a Cleaning Cycle After Reset

Now that your machine is reset, it’s a good time to give it a clean. This isn’t the full descaling process, but just a quick clean with water to clear out any leftover coffee. First, remove any capsule if you had placed one. Make sure the water tank is full. Place a large cup or container under the coffee spout to catch the water.

Close the head and press the button three times quickly within two seconds. The machine will start a cleaning cycle. It will push out hot water in intervals for about two to three minutes. This clears the system and refreshes it after the reset.

If nothing happens when you press the button three times, try again. Timing matters.

Don’t interrupt the cleaning cycle once it starts. Let it finish fully. You can repeat the cleaning cycle two to three times for better results.

Cleaning the machine after a reset helps prevent any issues from leftover coffee oils, which can clog parts or give bad taste to your next brew.

• Remove any capsule
• Fill water tank
• Press button three times fast
• Catch water in a big container
• Repeat if needed

Try a Test Brew and Watch for Any Issues

Finally, test if your Nespresso Vertuo works like before. Put a new coffee capsule into the machine. Close the head and lock it. Press the button once to start brewing. Watch closely.

The light should blink while brewing and then turn steady again when finished. Listen to the sounds. It should sound smooth, not too loud or shaky. If the coffee pours smoothly into your cup and tastes right, your reset worked fully.

Check the used capsule compartment after the brew. Make sure the capsule dropped down like it should. If it’s stuck, you may need to clean that area again.

If the machine doesn’t brew, or gives a short or strange coffee amount, try another reset or run the cleaning cycle again. It sometimes takes a couple of tries for older machines.

Also check that the water tank hasn’t moved during brewing. If it does, the flow might stop.

Enjoy your coffee and remember to clean the machine often to avoid needing resets in the future.

• Insert a fresh capsule
• Brew one cup
• Watch light behavior
• Listen for smooth operation
• Make sure capsule drops properly

Final Thoughts

Resetting your Nespresso Vertuo is easy when you know what to do. I’ve gone through it myself, and it saved my machine from being thrown away. Always start by making sure it’s powered on and clean. Then press the button five times quickly to reset. Follow the other steps like cleaning and test brewing to make sure everything works again. With this guide, your coffee machine will be back to normal, and you’ll be enjoying your favorite brew in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to reset my Nespresso Vertuo often?

Yes, it’s safe to reset your Nespresso Vertuo when needed. It doesn’t harm the machine. Resetting just brings it back to factory settings, which can fix minor problems. However, you shouldn’t reset it all the time unless something is wrong. If you notice issues like blinking lights, strange sounds, or poor coffee quality, a reset is a good first step. Just be sure you’re doing it correctly — press the button five times quickly with the machine on and head closed. If you’re resetting it often, consider cleaning or descaling it too.

Can I reset without unplugging the machine?

Yes, you can reset your Nespresso Vertuo without unplugging it. In fact, the reset process works only when the machine is on and plugged in. You need to press the button five times quickly within three seconds while the power is on. Unplugging is only needed if the machine is not responding at all or if you want to give it a full power reset before trying again. In normal cases, just keeping it plugged in and using the button method is enough.

Do I lose settings after reset?

Yes, when you reset your Nespresso Vertuo, it goes back to its original factory settings. That means any custom cup sizes or other settings you changed will go away. It’s like starting fresh with a brand-new machine. But don’t worry, you can easily program your preferred cup size again by holding the button while brewing to set a new volume. Resetting doesn’t break the machine — it just clears out problems and helps it run like new again.

Is it okay if I press the button too slow?

If you press the button too slow during the reset, it won’t work. You need to press it five times quickly within three seconds. Timing is very important. If you go too slow, the machine will just see it as random presses and won’t enter reset mode. Try counting out loud — “1, 2, 3, 4, 5” — and press at each count. It might take a few tries, and that’s okay. Just keep trying until the light blinks and shows the reset is done.

Can I reset while the machine is blinking?

No, you should not reset the machine while the light is blinking. A blinking light means the machine is either heating up or has an error. You should wait until the light becomes steady white before trying to reset. If it’s blinking for a long time, try unplugging it, waiting a few minutes, and turning it back on. Only when the machine shows a steady light should you press the reset button five times quickly.

Do I need to clean before or after resetting?

It’s best to clean the machine after resetting it. Resetting clears the machine’s memory, but cleaning clears the inside of coffee residue or oils. After you reset, run a cleaning cycle by pressing the button three times quickly. This sends hot water through the system. It’s not the same as descaling, but it helps keep your coffee fresh and your machine working longer. You can do a deeper clean once a month or whenever you notice changes in taste or coffee flow.

Is it normal for the machine to blink orange after reset?

Yes, the machine will blink orange three times right after you finish pressing the button five times. This is a signal that the reset has started. After that, the light should turn steady white, meaning everything went well. If it keeps blinking orange, it might be telling you to descale the machine or there might be another issue. In that case, try resetting again or check the manual for light meanings. But a quick orange blink is totally normal during reset.

Can I call customer service if reset doesn’t work?

Yes, you can contact Nespresso customer service if your machine still doesn’t work after trying the reset. Sometimes, machines can have deeper issues like blockages or electrical problems that need repair or replacement. The support team is helpful and may guide you through more advanced steps, or help you schedule a repair. Be sure to tell them what you already tried, like the five-button reset, cleaning cycle, and any light behavior you noticed. They’ll appreciate the details and help you faster.