How to Turn Off the Flashing Clean Light on Your Mr. Coffee (2024)

Welcome to the world’s most comprehensive guide on how to turn off the flashing clean light on your Mr. Coffee machine. After years of suffering through endless nights of staring at the hypnotic red light, I’ve finally figured out the solution and am here to share it with you.

So grab a cup of coffee (from a different machine), and let’s get started on this adventure.

how to turn off the flashing clean light on your Mr. Coffee machine

For this tutorial, I’ll be using my 10-Cup Programmable Mr. Coffee machine. However, the methods listed below are applicable to all coffee makers.

Step 1: Look for Scale Buildup

Hard water can leave behind pesky scale deposits that can cause all sorts of problems. Just open up the water reservoir and the filter basket and check for those telltale white or bluish calcium deposits. If you see this mineral buildup, skip to step 3.

Step 2: Unplug the machine

If you don’t see any signs of mineral deposits, don’t panic. Just try the age-old unplug-wait-plug-in trick. Unplug the machine, and let it sit for 30 seconds. It may sound simple, but it often works like a charm. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to get your hands dirty and do a deep clean.

Step 3: Gather Cleaning Equipment

Here are the items you’ll need before doing a deep clean:

• A clean cloth or rag
• A clean sponge or scrubber
• cold water
• 2 cups of white vinegar
• lemon juice (optional method)
• baking soda (optional method)
• dish soap or detergent

Step 4: Clean Filter & Water Reservoir

Okay, folks, it’s time to unplug that coffee machine and get to work. First, remove the water reservoir and filter basket. Then, toss any leftover coffee grounds from the basket and give everything a good scrub with soapy warm water. Once everything is nice and clean, put it all back together.

Step 5: Cleaning the Spray Heads & Other Removable Parts

It’s important to clean the spray heads on your Mr. Coffee machine for optimal performance. These nozzles deliver the perfect amount of water to your coffee grounds, and thorough cleaning is necessary to remove any built-up coffee residue or hard water deposits.

To clean the spray heads, use a soft cloth to gently wipe them down. Be sure to pay extra attention to the areas where the water flows through the spray heads, as these are where build-up is most likely to occur.

Step 6: Prepare for Deep Cleaning

Alright, it’s time for the deep clean. Most Mr. Coffee Maker manuals recommend using vinegar to remove hard water deposits, but some prefer a lemon juice and baking soda solution.

Vinegar Method:

If you’re using vinegar for your deep clean, check your user manual for the correct ratio. Most machines require a mixture of equal parts vinegar and cold, clean water to run a cleaning cycle. I do 2 cups white vinegar to 2 cups cold water.

Lemon Juice Method:

Prefer lemon juice and baking soda? No problem. Just add two tablespoons of baking soda to the carafe and then fill it with a mix of water and lemon juice (I use an 8 oz bottle of lemon juice). Add enough water to fill the reservoir, and you’re ready to run a cleaning cycle.

Step 7: Deep Clean

With your vinegar solution ready, return the carafe to the warming tray. Locate the correct button for a cleaning cycle on your machine. Some devices have dedicated “Clean” buttons, while others have “Select” buttons.

You might have to press the button three times until the cleaning light stays red and stops blinking. As always, consult your user’s manual for clarification. The self-cleaning process should last approximately 60 minutes. The machine may rest halfway through. Don’t remove the carafe or unplug the appliance until the cleaning cycle finishes.

If your coffee maker only has a “Brew” button, you can still use this method for cleaning. Simply place the cleaning solution in the water reservoir and select the “Brew” button to run a normal brewing cycle with the solution.

Note: Ending the cleaning cycle mid-way may not get rid of the blinking clean light.

Step 8: Rinse Reservoir & Filter Basket

Rinse the basket and carafe, refill the reservoir with fresh, cold water (always use cold water when filling the carafe/reservoir; never hot water), and then run a regular brew cycle. This will help ensure that any remaining cleaning solution is flushed out of the machine.

If the flashing light persists, try another deep clean and unplugging/reconnecting the machine. Clean the lid and exterior as well. These methods have been known to tame the rebellious clean light on a Mr Coffee coffee maker.

When all else fails:

Check the warranty

If all else fails, it may be time to turn to your machine’s warranty for help. Remember, coffee machines don’t last forever, and Mr. Coffee (like other manufacturers) offers one-year limited warranties that may cover repairs within that time frame. So, don’t hesitate to reach out and see if your warranty can help fix your unruly clean light.

Check the instructions

Your coffee machine’s user manual is an invaluable resource for cleaning. It will tell you how frequently to clean your machine (every 80-90 brew cycles or 40 brew cycles if you live in a hard water area) and provide step-by-step instructions for a deep clean.

Buy a New Coffee Machine

If you’re ready to simplify your morning routine and upgrade from a drip coffee maker, consider investing in a K-Cup coffee maker. To help you find the best option, here is my review of the top 16 K-Cup coffee makers on the market.

FAQ

The End

And there you have it, folks! With these simple steps, you can finally say goodbye to that pesky blinking red light on your Mr. Coffee machine. Now go forth and enjoy your perfectly brewed cup of joe in peace!