How to Fix Nespresso Frother Not Working (5 Hacks to Try)

Last updated on July 19th, 2023 by Rebekah Pierce

nespresso frother not working

For coffee aficionados, a Nespresso machine is the epitome of convenience and indulgence. You will get your daily dose of caffeine with a little work. But what happens when your milk frother stops working? 

Whether it’s your Nespresso Lattissima Touch milk frother not working or your Nespresso Aeroccino 4 not working, it’s not the end of the world. 

In this blog post, we’ll show you a few simple troubleshooting tricks to reset your Nespresso milk frother and breathe life back into it.


Why is My Nespresso Frother Not Working Well?

Why is My Nespresso Frother Not Working
Milk is always a good idea.
Photo by Eiliv Aceron

There’s nothing quite like waking up in the morning and making yourself a delicious cup of coffee with frothed milk. 

However, sometimes the Nespresso frother you’ve come to rely on for that perfectly creamy foam lets you down. This can be super frustrating, especially when you’re in a hurry and can’t seem to get it to work. 

Here are some of the most common reasons why your Nespresso frother might not be working the way you want it to.

1. Milk Frother Not Heating Due to Burnt-Out Heating Element, Thermocouple, or Thermal Fuse

If you notice your Nespresso frother isn’t heating up as much or is taking longer than usual to froth your milk, it could be due to a burnt-out heating element, thermocouple, or thermal fuse. 

This usually happens after the frother has been in use for an extended period of time, and over time, the heating element may become weaker and not generate as much heat. 

2. Using the Wrong Milk

Is your Nespresso Aeroccino not frothing oat milk? Is your Nespresso frother not frothing almond milk? 

Both of these dilemmas have the same thing in common  – you’re using the wrong kind of milk.

Nespresso machines work best when used with cold, fresh, and whole milk, so if you’re using a different milk, like oat or almond milk, for example, you may be disappointed with the results. 

The alternative milk may not froth well enough, and you may end up with a watery consistency. 

If you still want to use alternative milk, we suggest that you try different brands and types to find the one that works best for your Nespresso frother.

3. Dirty, Lost, or Broken Magnetic Whisk

The magnetic whisk in your Nespresso frother is essential for creating the perfect froth, and if it’s lost or broken, it can cause problems. 

If you notice that your frother isn’t frothing as well or as much as it used to, check to see if the magnetic whisk is working correctly. If it’s not, you can replace it by contacting Nespresso’s customer service or purchasing a replacement whisk online. 

Another reason why your frother isn’t frothing could be due to dirt or residue stuck on the whisk. Always make sure that you clean your whisk regularly to avoid this issue.

4. Dirt on the Electrical Contacts

Is your Nespresso milk frother not working and no light is on? If that’s the case, it’s likely that there is dirt on the electrical contacts.

Unplug your frother and allow it to cool down, and then wipe down the electrical contacts with a damp cloth or cotton swab. Make sure that all the dirt or residue is removed before you plug your frother back in.

5. Milk Has Been Left Inside

If you’ve noticed your Nespresso Frother not working and blinking red light, this indicates that there is still milk residue inside. 

You need to clean your frother before using it again. Start by running it on a rinse cycle with plain water, and then use a mild detergent to clean the inner and outer parts of the frother before rinsing it again with water.

6. Bad Positioning of the Whisk or an Overfilled Unit

If you have a Nespresso milk frother not working, all lights flashing, your gut reaction might be to panic – lots of lights flashing in rapid succession at you spells bad news, right?

Not necessarily. In fact, this is one of the easiest issues to remedy. More often than not, a Nespresso frother that has all lights flashing just indicates that the whisk is positioned incorrectly (not right at the bottom) or that the unit is overfilled. Simply adjust these two issues, and you’ll be good to go!

How to Fix a Nespresso Frother Not Working

How to Fix a Nespresso Frother Not Working
Milk splash.
Photo by Jagoda Kondratiuk

If you’re struggling with a frother that’s not frothing, whether it’s a Nespresso Lattissima milk frother not working or a Nespresso Aeroccino 3 not working, there are a few solutions you can try that will work with any make or model. 

Give it a Good Cleaning

Most of the time, when a Nespresso frother isn’t working as it should, it’s because of a buildup of milk proteins on the inside of the frother. This not only prevents the frother from working properly but can also cause it to produce a foul odor. 

The solution? Give it a thorough cleaning. 

To do this:

  1. Start by filling the frother with water and a drop of dish soap and running it through a frothing cycle. 
  2. Once the frothing cycle is complete, rinse the frother out with hot water and repeat the process until the water comes out clean. This should remove any milk residue or buildup and get your frother back to working as intended.

Replace the Magnetic Whisk

If you suspect that the whisk is the issue, you can easily order a replacement whisk from Nespresso or pick one up at your local home goods store. Simply remove the old whisk from the frother and replace it with the new one. This should get your frother back to working as intended.

Change Up the Milk Type

If you’re having issues with your frother, try switching up the milk type and see if that makes a difference. Experiment with different types of milk until you find one that works well with your Nespresso frother.

How Do I Reset My Nespresso Milk Frother?

While the process differs a bit depending on the make and model of the frother – a Nespresso Aeroccino 4 reset might be a little bit different than a Nespresso Lattissima One milk frother not working and needing a reset – in general, the process of resetting the unit is fairly simple and straightforward. 

1. Start by unplugging the frother from the power source. 

2. Next, you’ll need to press and hold down the button on the front of the device for around 5 seconds. This should reset the frother’s memory and clear any issues. 

3. Once you’ve done this, you can release the button and plug the frother back in.

If the initial reset method doesn’t work, then it might be worth trying a more thorough reset. To do this, you’ll need to take the frother apart and clean it. Start by removing the frother lid and milk container, then unscrew the milk frother whisk and remove it from the device.

Clean the whisk thoroughly with warm, soapy water to remove any milk residue. Then, use a cotton swab or small brush to clean the inside of the frother attachment where the whisk was located. Make sure this area is completely dry before reassembling the frother.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you can plug the frother back in and start it up. It should now be reset and ready to use again!

Time For a New One?

Your Nespresso frother can stop working for a variety of reasons, but before you consider buying a new one, try the tips we’ve shared in this post first. 

The good news is that the Nespresso frother warranty should cover most issues, like a burnt-out heating element, so you can send the unit back in to get fixed by a technician.  

Don’t throw your Nespresso frother away just yet, there’s still plenty of life left in it. And if none of these solutions work, it’s time to treat yourself to a new Nespresso frother.

Final Thoughts

nespresso frother Final Thoughts
Coffee and milk is always a good combination.
Photo by Studio 74

A Nespresso milk frother that’s not working can be frustrating, but it’s not a lost cause. By following these simple tips, you can troubleshoot your Nespresso Lattissima milk frother or Aeroccino frother and get it back in working condition. 

From checking the power source to using alternative milk, there’s a solution for every problem. And if all else fails, you can always count on Nespresso’s excellent customer service to assist you. 

So brew yourself a cup of coffee and froth away!

Don’t have a Nespresso machine yet? Check out these reviews to determine which one would work best for you!

FAQ

Why is my Nespresso milk frother not frothing?

First, make sure you are using the right type of milk – whole milk typically works best for frothing, while skim milk can be more finicky.  If you are using the right type of milk and it’s not frothing, try cleaning your frother, as it could be clogged with milk residue. 

Why is my Nespresso frother not working and blinking red?

Try turning off your frother and letting it cool down completely before turning it back on. If this doesn’t work, try resetting your frother by pressing and holding the button for 10 seconds until it blinks white. 

How do I get my Nespresso frother to work?

First, make sure your frother is clean and free of any milk residue – then, fill your frother with your desired amount of milk (remember to use whole, fresh milk for best results). Press the button on your frother once for hot froth, or twice for cold froth. 

Sources:

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