How to Troubleshoot a Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker

If your Hamilton Beach coffee maker stopped working the way it should, there are many things that could have gone wrong. Some basic troubleshooting can help you identify the problem and find a solution that will ensure your coffee maker starts brewing tasty, quality coffee once again.

While there are many things that can go wrong with a coffee maker, when it comes to Hamilton Beach BrewStation troubleshooting, there are three main problems that may occur:

• Hamilton Beach coffee maker not pumping water or starts and stops pumping. When this happens, the coffee maker is probably just clogged, so clean the unit with a decalcifier, like CLR, being sure to follow the instructions in the owner's manual for your specific product.
• The BrewStation is dispensing slower than usual. In this case, it could be either your coffee maker's settings or a clogged brew tank screen. Start by checking the mode you're using to brew, as both "1-4 Cups" and "Bold" modes involve particularly slow brewing processes. If you notice either of these modes is on, press the "Brew Mode" button until there are no lights on. If the settings weren't the problem, then the screen at the bottom of the brew tank may be clogged. Using an old toothbrush to gently clean the screen before rinsing away the buildup should clear up the problem.
• The tank is leaking. If you notice this problem, it could be because there is too much mineral buildup (or coffee grounds) on the seal. Take the tank to your kitchen sink, turn it upside down and then push on the dispensing valve on the bottom of the tank. While pushing the button, flush the unit with water for 30 seconds.

Read more: How to Clean a Coffee Maker

When your coffee maker is leaking, first evaluate if it is leaking water or coffee. If your coffee maker is overflowing with clean water, then that usually means that it has been overfilled. The machine is equipped with a drain hole in the back to help prevent overfilling and the water is most likely leaking from here. To remedy the problem, pour out some of the water, wipe up the water that has leaked on the counter and be sure not to overfill the reservoir in the future.

If the machine was not leaking clean water or if it is still leaking after you reduced the amount of water, the first thing you should do is unplug it and clean up the mess, including throwing away the grounds from your last brewing attempt. Next, open up the entire device and look to see if there are any loose coffee grounds. If there are, these could be clogging up the machinery, so follow your coffee maker's instructions to clean up all grounds.

If the machine is overflowing with coffee, it could be due to a few different problems. Turn off your machine, clean it up and then pay attention to the following things that may have caused your coffee leakage:

• You could have used too much coffee. Never use more than 1 tablespoon of coffee per cup of water and be aware that you often need less when using decaf, flavored or finely-ground coffee.
• The paper filter in the machine could have collapsed. Use high-quality paper coffee filters to prevent collapsing. This problem doesn't always cause leaks, but can also result in brewed coffee that is too watery or that has loose grounds in it.
• The brew basket could be in wrong. The machine is designed to not let coffee drip out while someone is pouring a cup of coffee with the carafe. As a result, if the carafe isn't properly seated under the basket, pushing the basket up, the brewing area will avoid releasing coffee, which will eventually overfill and leak coffee everywhere. If the brew basket is not properly seated, it can result in leaking, so always make sure the basket is properly aligned before turning the unit on.
• The carafe under the basket could be misaligned. Just like the basket, it's important to always ensure the carafe is properly aligned before attempting to brew coffee or it might overfill.

First, check if the machine won't brew or if the unit won't turn on. If the power is on, but the machine won't start brewing, the most common reason is simply because there is not enough water in the reserve tank.

If you've notice your Hamilton Beach coffee maker won't turn on, it's likely due to one of two problems: either there is no power in the outlet or the power cord has become faulty. Check the outlet first to ensure it is working by plugging something else in and testing it. If you are sure you have power coming through the outlet, then your cord is probably damaged and you should check the prong for breaks and the cord for damage or tears. If any part of the cord is damaged, it must be replaced.

If you noticed that your coffee doesn't taste good and you're sure you're brewing it right, one of these issues is probably to blame:

• Bad water quality. If your tap water is of poor quality, your coffee may be too. Try using bottled water or water purified through a filtration system to see if your coffee starts to taste better.
• Wrong coffee to water ratio. Many Hamilton Beach models allow you to change the strength of the coffee you brew. Try experimenting with the coffee to water ratio to find a brew strength you think tastes best.
• The grounds are too coarse or too fine. By changing the coffee maker settings to "Automatic Drip Grind," you can ensure your machine will adjust for any type of grind.
• The coffee maker is dirty. Just like bad water can make coffee taste bad, so can a dirty machine. If everything above fails, you should try cleaning the device by following the cleaning directions found in your user's manual.

Read more: How to Clean Auto Coffee Makers With Citric Acid

If you find that the problem you have been experiencing with your coffee maker isn't covered by any online troubleshooting guides, or if you try the solutions listed for the issue and it is still happening, then the device may be faulty.

If your product is still new and covered by a store return policy, return it to the store where you bought it and get a refund. If it is under warranty, you will need to contact Hamilton Beach through their website or by calling (800) 851-8900. If the product is no longer under warranty, you could bring it to a repair person, but depending on the price, you may wish to just replace it with a new coffee maker.