Keurig K400 Series Brewer: Use & Care Guide
This guide provides comprehensive instructions for maintaining, operating, and troubleshooting your Keurig K400 Series coffee brewer.
Caring For Your Brewer
Regular cleaning ensures your brewer runs smoothly. Always turn off and unplug the brewer before cleaning.
Brewer Exterior
Clean the exterior with a damp, soapy, lint-free, non-abrasive cloth. Never immerse the brewer in water or other liquids.
Drip Tray
The drip tray holds up to 8 ounces of overflow. Empty and clean it occasionally. Slide it out levelly to avoid spills. Clean with a damp, soapy, lint-free, non-abrasive cloth.
Water Reservoir & Reservoir Lid
Clean the lid and reservoir periodically with a damp, soapy, non-abrasive cloth and rinse thoroughly. Do not use a dishwasher. Do not dry the inside with a cloth to avoid lint. Caution: Please rinse the water reservoir thoroughly after cleaning to prevent contamination of the water supply.
Cleaning Entrance Needles
Lift the brewer handle to access the top entrance needles under the lid. Use a straightened paper clip to gently clean the holes in the needles. Lower the handle completely and run two water-only brew cycles without a pod. Tip: Video instructions are available at support.Keurig.com. Note: A Brewer Maintenance Accessory tool can also be used; contact Customer Service to obtain one.
Pod Holder Assembly
Lift the handle, push up on the sides of the pod holder assembly, and pull away from the brewer. Press the release buttons on both sides to separate the pod holder from the housing. Clean the pod holder, housing, and base with a damp, soapy, lint-free, non-abrasive cloth and rinse thoroughly. Reassemble by inserting the pod holder back into the housing, placing the base, then the pod holder assembly into the brew head, and lowering the handle. Caution: Sharp needles. Do not put fingers in the chamber.
Cleaning the Exit Needle
If the exit needle is clogged, push the lever on the pod holder to reveal it. Use a paper clip or similar tool to loosen the clog and rinse thoroughly with hot water. Reassemble the pod holder assembly and lower the handle. Caution: Sharp needles. Do not put fingers in the chamber.
Recycling K-Mug® and K-Carafe® Pods
The plastic cups of K-Mug® and K-Carafe® pods are made of #5 plastic, which is recyclable wherever #5 plastic is accepted. Check with your local municipality or waste hauler for specific recycling guidelines. #5 plastic is recyclable everywhere in Canada.
Recycling Steps:
- Once brewing is complete and the pod is cool, separate the lid and filter from the cup. The filter will adhere to the lid.
- Discard the lid and the attached filter.
- Recycle the plastic cup where #5 plastic is accepted.
Descaling Your Brewer
Descale your brewer every 3-6 months, or when the touch screen indicates "Time to descale the brewer!". Descaling helps maintain the heating element and internal parts by removing calcium deposits and scale.
Descaling Procedure
You will need a large ceramic mug, fresh water, Keurig® Descaling Solution, and access to a sink. Allow approximately 45 minutes for the process. Ensure no beverage pod is in the holder.
- Step 1: Descaling Solution Rinse
Turn off the brewer. Pour the entire bottle of Keurig® Descaling Solution into the empty water reservoir. Fill the empty bottle with water and pour it into the reservoir. Turn the brewer back on. Place a large mug on the drip tray and run a cleansing brew using the largest brew size.
- Step 2: Descaling Rinse & Repeat
Repeat the rinsing brew process until the touch screen displays "More Water Please". Do not use a K-Cup® pod. Let the brewer stand for at least 30 minutes while still on. Discard any residual solution from the reservoir and rinse thoroughly.
- Step 3: Fresh Water Rinse
Fill the water reservoir with fresh water to the MAX line. Place a large mug on the drip tray and run a rinsing brew using the largest brew size. Do not use a K-Cup® pod. Pour the contents into the sink. Repeat this process until at least 12 rinsing brews are completed. You may need to refill the water reservoir.
Note: Dispensed foam is natural. If the brewer does not fill properly after adding descaler, turn off/unplug, discard solution, rinse reservoir, refill with water, and repeat Step 3. If the "Time to descale" alert persists, repeat the entire procedure.
Warranty Information
Limited One Year Warranty
Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. warrants the brewer against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from the purchase date under normal home use. Register your brewer at Keurig.com/new. Keurig will repair or replace a defective brewer at its option upon receipt of proof of purchase. Replacement brewers may be new or reconditioned and will carry a new one-year warranty.
This warranty applies to brewers operated in the United States and Canada. It grants specific legal rights, with variations by state and province.
Only Keurig® K-Cup® brand pods and accessories guarantee proper function and brewer lifetime. Use of non-Keurig® products may void the warranty or incur service fees.
Other Limitations
This warranty is exclusive and replaces all other express warranties. Keurig specifically disclaims all implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Limitations on implied warranties may vary by state or province.
How to Obtain Warranty Service
Call Keurig Customer Service at 1.866.901.BREW (2739). Do not return the brewer without first obtaining a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number from Customer Service. Brewers returned without an RMA number will be sent back without servicing.
What is Not Covered by the Limited Warranty?
The warranty does not cover consequential or incidental damages (e.g., property damage) or incidental costs and expenses resulting from any breach of warranty. Limitations on incidental or consequential damages may vary by state or province.
Damages caused by use of non-Keurig® pods or accessories, unauthorized service, non-genuine Keurig® parts, abuse, misuse, inappropriate power supply, or acts of God are also not covered.
Brewing Instructions
Before You Brew
- Plug & Place: Remove packing tape, plug the brewer into a grounded outlet, and place a large mug (minimum 12 oz.) on the drip tray plate.
- Power On: Press the power button. Lift the handle, remove and discard the orange shipping disk, then lower the handle. Wait for preheating (approx. 3 minutes).
- Rinse & Fill: Remove the water reservoir lid and reservoir. Rinse the reservoir with fresh water and fill to the MAX line. Replace the reservoir, ensuring lock tabs engage, and replace the lid. Note: Do not use distilled water.
- Cleansing Brew Setup: Lift and lower the handle. Press the blinking brew button to start a cleansing brew. Pour the hot water into the sink. The initial setup is now complete.
K400 Series Brewer Parts Identification
The Keurig K400 Series brewer includes the following parts:
- A. Flip-Top Reservoir Lid
- B. Water Reservoir
- C. Top Housing
- D. Touch Screen/Power Button
- E. Brew Button
- F. Handle
- G. Brew Head
- H. Power Cord
- I. Drip Tray Plate
- J. Drip Tray
- K. Pod Holder
- L. Housing (K and L together form the Pod Holder Assembly)
- M. Base
Brew Your First K-Cup® Pod
- Place Mug: Place a mug on the drip tray plate. For a travel mug, remove the drip tray and place the mug on the drip tray base.
- Lift & Insert: Lift the handle and place a K-Cup® pod in the pod holder. Lower the handle completely to close the lid. Do not remove the foil lid from the K-Cup® pod.
- Size & Strength: Select your brew size using the screen arrows. Choose STRONG if desired (for coffee only). Press HOT COCOA/OTHER for select non-coffee beverages. Note: Check pod packaging for specific instructions.
- Brew & Enjoy: Press the blinking brew button. The button stays illuminated during brewing (approx. 1 minute). Dispose of the used K-Cup® pod after brewing. The brewer will be ready for another cup in about a minute. Caution: Extremely hot water is present during brewing; do not lift the handle. Note: To stop brewing, press and hold the power button for one second. The brewer may take about a minute to reheat between brews.
Brew Your First K-Carafe® Pod
- Place Carafe: Ensure the Keurig® Carafe is empty. Remove the drip tray and insert the Keurig® Carafe securely.
- Lift & Insert: Lift the handle and place a K-Carafe® pod in the pod holder. Lower the handle completely to close the lid. Do not remove the foil lid or puncture the K-Carafe® pod.
- Select Brew Size: Select the KEURIG BREW setting that matches the number on the pod lid. Then select the number of desired cups. Note: Ensure the number on the touch screen matches the number on the K-Carafe® pod.
- Brew & Enjoy: Press the blinking brew button. The button stays illuminated during brewing. Dispose of the used K-Carafe® pod after brewing. Caution: Extremely hot water is present during brewing; do not lift the handle. Note: To stop brewing, press and hold the power button for one second.
Set Carafe Auto Brew Mode
Ensure the Keurig® Carafe is empty. Remove the drip tray and insert the Keurig® Carafe securely. Select a K-Carafe® pod, place it in the pod holder, and lower the handle. Ensure the current time is accurate (refer to Set Clock instructions). Select AUTO BREW SET. PRESS TO SET. Choose the desired start time and press the right arrow. Select a brew size and press SET. The touch screen will indicate "DO NOT DISTURB!". To edit settings, select "TOUCH HERE TO EDIT".
To put the brewer in sleep mode, quickly press and release the power button. To cancel carafe auto brew mode, remove the Keurig® Carafe or lift the handle.
Troubleshooting
Brewer Does Not Have Power or Shuts Off
- Ensure the touch screen is illuminated by pressing and holding the power button.
- Plug the brewer into its own grounded outlet. Avoid overloading the circuit with other appliances.
- If the brewer still lacks power, contact Customer Service.
Brewer Shuts Off Or Turns On Automatically
Check the AUTO ON/OFF settings in the Settings Menu to ensure they are not unintentionally activated.
Grounds in Your Coffee
Grounds may be present in the exit or entrance needles. Clean them using a straightened paper clip or similar tool. Refer to the "Caring For Your Brewer" section for specific instructions on cleaning the exit and entrance needles.
Brewing a Partial Cup
- The exit needle may be clogged. Refer to the "Cleaning the Exit Needle" instructions.
- The water reservoir might have been removed during brewing. Replace it and perform a rinsing brew without a K-Cup® pod.
- The brewer may need descaling. If the issue persists after two descaling procedures, contact Customer Service.
Brewer Will Not Brew
- Ensure the handle is fully lowered after placing a pod and the touch screen displays the appropriate brew screen.
- If the touch screen shows "More Water Please", add water to the reservoir or ensure it is seated properly. If it persists after refilling, remove, clean, and reseat the reservoir.
- The pod holder may need cleaning, or the brewer may require descaling. Refer to "Caring For Your Brewer".
Touch Screen Alerts
- "More Water Please": If the water level is not low, remove and clean the reservoir, then reseat it properly.
- "Sorry, Brew Interrupted": Slowly lift the handle, remove the pod, lower the handle, and perform a rinsing brew.
- "Sorry, There is a Problem": Coffee grounds may be stuck in the entrance needle. Refer to "Caring For Your Brewer" for cleaning instructions.
- "Time To Replace the Keurig® Water Filter": Replace the water filter and press YES to reset the reminder. This alert appears after approximately 1,000 ounces or two months of use.
Helpful Hints, Service, and Storage
Helpful Hints
Water quality affects beverage taste. If you notice undesirable tastes (like chlorine or minerals), use bottled or filtered water. Do not use distilled water. Installing a Keurig® Water Filter can help remove impurities and improve taste.
Service
This brewer is not user serviceable beyond the recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures. For service, refer to the Warranty section of this guide.
Storage
Before storing or transporting, empty the water reservoir. Store the brewer in a safe, frost-free environment, keeping it upright to prevent water leakage. Storing in cold environments risks freezing and damage. After storage, rinse the water reservoir and run three rinsing brews without a pod. If the brewer was in sub-freezing temperatures, let it warm to room temperature for at least 2 hours before use.
Have Questions?
Visit support.Keurig.com for step-by-step videos on cleaning, descaling, and more.
Still Need Help?
Call Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739).
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