Enter and exit descaling mode by model
These are the Nespresso US descaling guides we read. Your model is not listed? Open the guide for it on nespresso.com. Machines such as the Expert, Creatista and Lattissima have their own guides that we have not summarised.
| Model | Fill the tank with | Enter descaling mode | Leave descaling mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essenza Mini | 1 packet of descaling solution, water up to the max line | Machine on, lever closed, lights steady. Hold both cup buttons for 5 seconds; lights blink quickly. | Hold both cup buttons for 5 seconds after the last rinse; blinking slows, then lights go steady. |
| Inissia | Tank half full of water, 1 packet | Hold both cup buttons for 3 seconds; lights blink quickly. | Hold both cup buttons for 3 seconds after the rinse. |
| Pixie | Tank half full of water, 1 packet | Hold both cup buttons for 3 seconds; lights blink quickly and together. | Hold both cup buttons for 1 to 3 seconds after the rinse. |
| VertuoLine | 1 packet and half a tank of water | Lever unlocked. Press the button once, then hold until the steady light goes off and blinks fast. Lock then unlock the lever, hold the button again until it blinks fast, lock the lever. Within 45 seconds. | After the rinse, hold the button until the blinking turns steady (about 7 seconds). |
| VertuoPlus | 1 unit of descaling liquid and at least 17 oz of water | Machine off. Push the button and the lever down together for 3 seconds (steady orange light), then press the lever once. | Hold the button and lever together for 3 seconds, or until the light is green. |
| Vertuo Next and Vertuo Pop | 1 packet and 17 oz of water | Same lever sequence as the VertuoLine, finishing with the lever locked and the light blinking orange fast. | The cup button becomes steady on its own after the rinse. |
Sources: Nespresso US descaling guides for each model, listed at the bottom. Last checked 2026-11-04.
What happens in every descale
- Empty the capsule container and drip tray. Put them back, and put something under the machine in case of a spill.
- Fill the tank with the Nespresso descaling solution and water. Amounts are in the table. The guides say not to fill the tank to the top.
- Enter descaling mode. Use your model's sequence. On a Vertuo, if the light is not blinking fast after locking the lever, the guide says to start over.
- Run the solution through. Put a large receptacle under the spout. The Vertuo guides list 20 oz (VertuoLine), 27 oz (VertuoPlus) or 34 oz (Vertuo Next and Pop). Press the button once; the light keeps blinking until the machine is silent.
- Rinse. Discard the solution, rinse the tank, refill with fresh water and run it through. The Essenza Mini guide says to repeat the rinse two more times because the tank is small.
- Exit and rest. Wipe the machine with a damp cloth and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Stuck in descaling mode or lights still on
Descaling mode ends with the exit step in the table, not on its own. If a machine keeps blinking, repeat the exit step for your model. If a Vertuo never started blinking fast, the guide says to restart the entry sequence. If the alert lights stay on after a full descale and rinse, contact Nespresso, because the guides do not describe other fixes and we will not guess.
The VertuoPlus guide says its descaling alert is a green and red light, and that only several more coffees can be made after the alert before descaling becomes mandatory. Light patterns differ between models, so use your model's guide. For pump machines that run on a portafilter, see cleaning and descaling an espresso machine.