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In short
Keurig's fix is a straightened paper clip. Push it into the needle holes and move it around to loosen coffee grounds. There are two needles: the entrance needle under the lid, and the exit needle inside the bottom of the pod holder. Afterward, run two water-only brews with no pod.
Where the needles are
Entrance needle (under the lid)
- Lift the brewer handle and find the needle on the underside of the lid.
- Hold the handle up with one hand. With the other, carefully insert a straightened paper clip into all the holes.
- Gently move it around to loosen grounds.
- Lower the handle and run two water-only brews. Don't insert a pod.
Exit needle (in the pod holder)
- Remove the pod holder: lift the handle, grasp the top of the holder, and push up on the bottom from underneath until it releases.
- Pull off the funnel.
- Find the exit needle on the inside bottom and push a straightened paper clip into it to loosen grounds.
- Snap the funnel back on, line the holder up using its two front ribs, and snap it into place.
Signs a needle is clogged
- Grounds in your coffee. Keurig says grounds may have gathered in the entrance or exit needles.
- A partial cup. Keurig lists a clogged exit needle as the first cause. See not brewing a full cup.
- Switching to tea or cocoa pods. The K-Supreme SMART guide says to clean both needles and run 2 cleansing brews when you switch from a coffee pod to a non-coffee pod.
Sharp needles. Keurig warns that needles above and below the pod holder can cut you. Keep your fingers out of the pod holder.
How we work: the cleaning steps come from Keurig's K-Elite, K-Supreme SMART and K200 Use & Care Guides. Sources are listed below.
Questions people ask
How do I unclog a Keurig needle?
Keurig says to put a straightened paper clip into the needle holes and move it around to loosen grounds. Then run two water-only brews without a pod.
Where are the Keurig needles?
The entrance needle is on the underside of the lid. The exit needle is inside the bottom of the K-Cup pod holder.
Why are there grounds in my Keurig coffee?
Keurig's guides say grounds may have gathered in the entrance or exit needles, and to clean them.
Sources
Last checked Oct 23, 2026. Steps come from Keurig's own Use & Care Guides. Unplug the brewer before cleaning the needles, and keep your fingers out of the pod holder, as Keurig warns.
