SodaStream not carbonating with a new cylinder? Seven checks

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1. Take off the seal and cap

A new cylinder comes with a seal and a cap over the valve. SodaStream's replacement steps say to remove both before the cylinder goes in. Left on, the valve can't open.

2. Seat the cylinder all the way

Take the bottle off before you change the cylinder; the Terra manual says never to insert a cylinder with a bottle in place.

• Quick Connect (pink): raise the handle all the way, slide the cylinder in, then lower the handle all the way down. If it won't go down, SodaStream says don't force it.
• Screw-in (blue): SodaStream's not-carbonating article says to retighten the cylinder by turning it to the right. Its replacement steps say hand-tight only, no tools.

3. Check it's the right cylinder

A handle that won't close is often a blue screw-in cylinder in a Quick Connect machine. SodaStream says a blue cylinder won't work in those machines. See the cylinder fit chart.

4. Use a bottle made for your machine

SodaStream's checklist asks you to confirm the bottle is compatible with your model. A bottle from another machine may not seal.

5. Fill to the line and seat the bottle

Fill the bottle with water up to the fill line, no higher. Then put it in correctly; SodaStream's articles say there should be a small gap between the bottle and the machine's base. On a Mix with the Fizz&Go Easy bottle, SodaStream says to take the mouthpiece off first.

6. Fizz plain water, then add flavor

SodaStream says to carbonate water only and add syrup or flavor afterward. The Terra manual adds that other liquids can contaminate and clog the machine's internal parts, and that cold water fizzes best.

7. Press firmly and listen

SodaStream's guidance is a firm press of 1–2 seconds each time. While you press, listen and watch. You should hear CO2 going in and see bubbles. No bubbles and no sputtering sound is SodaStream's sign that the cylinder may be out of CO2.

If you hear hissing

SodaStream's leaking-CO2 article covers two cases:

• Right after you put in a new cylinder: check that it's the right type for your machine and that it's installed properly. On screw-in machines, make sure it's hand-tight.
• Right after carbonating: leave the machine standing upright, take the bottle off when the sound stops, and contact SodaStream support.

Still nothing from a brand-new cylinder?

If all seven checks pass and you still get no gas, contact SodaStream at 1-800-763-2258 or take it back to the store where you exchanged it. Owners on X do report getting a new cylinder that seemed empty, but SodaStream's checks above are worth running first, because a seal left on or a cylinder that isn't fully seated gives the same result.

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